The Solar Impulse, a solar-powered aircraft, has completed
its maiden flight in Switzerland, staying aloft for 87 minutes
before landing safely. The prototype will undergo further
testing before a second version is built, with the goal of
completing an around-the-world flight.
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)
55 of the world's 65 largest oil producing countries are past their production peaks and in decline.
Electricity generation accounts for about 40% of total U.S. energy consumption. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
In 2007, the average monthly residential electricity consumption was 936 kWh. (Source: EIA)
Fossil fuels provide more than 85% of all the energy consumed in the US, nearly two-thirds of our electricity, and virtually all of our transportation fuels. (Source: DOE)
