U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that the
Department of Energy is awarding more than $5 million to
support U.S. wind energy development. Two projects
receiving a total of $3.4 million over two years will
improve short-term wind forecasting, which will accelerate
the use of wind power in electricity transmission networks.
Estimated energy demand is charted to grow by almost 50% in the next 20 years.
In 2007, the average monthly residential electricity consumption was 936 kWh. (Source: EIA)
Electricity generation accounts for about 40% of total U.S. energy consumption. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
55 of the world's 65 largest oil producing countries are past their production peaks and in decline.
The United States makes up 5% of the world's population and accounts for 25% of total energy use.
