DOE Secretary Steven Chu today announced selections for more
than $37 million in funding to accelerate the technological
and commercial readiness of emerging marine and hydrokinetic
(MHK) technologies, which seek to generate renewable
electricity from the nation's oceans and free-flowing rivers
and streams.
Electricity generation accounts for about 40% of total U.S. energy consumption. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
In 2007, renewable sources of energy accounted for about 7% of total U.S. energy consumption and 9.4% of electricity generation. (Source: EIA)
Public policies such as appliance and vehicle efficiency standards and building codes are responsible for at least 20% of the improvement in the US's energy intensity--energy use per unit of GDP. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
In 2007, the average monthly residential electricity consumption was 936 kWh. (Source: EIA)
Estimated energy demand is charted to grow by almost 50% in the next 20 years.
