EIA: Renewables' share of U.S. energy mix rises

The Energy Information Administration reports renewable energy's share of the U.S. total energy supply increased to 7.6% in 1995 from 7.1% in 1994.

The increase was due mainly to a weather-related 17% jump in hydro- power generation, as non-hydro renewable energy remained near its 1994 level.

Since 1991, U.S. renewable energy consumption has grown by a little more than 2%/year. EIA said 65% of all U.S. renewable energy consumed in 1995 was used to generate electricity. Renewables provided 415 billion kw-hr of electricity in 1995, enough to meet the needs of about 45 million households for 1 year and about 12% more than in 1994.

EIA said excluding hydropower, biomass accounted for 87% of the remaining renewable energy consumption in 1995. Biomass is commonly used in industrial applications for process heat and power.

U.S. pellet fuel production in- creased 18% from 1993-94 to 1995-96 heating seasons. In this process, wood fiber is converted to pelletized form for use in wood stoves.

Production of energy from municipal solid waste supplies, which grew rapidly during the 1980s, has leveled off in the 1990s as economic and legal issues have directed waste flows to cheaper landfills, rather than to waste-to-energy facilities. EIA said it is unlikely production of energy at landfills will increase much in the near term, because of the relatively high cost.

EIA said California has by far more wind-powered generating capacity and electricity generation than any other state. Minnesota, however, has the most planned wind power capacity. Nationwide, wind power produced 4% of non-hydro renewable electricity in 1995.

Solar energy consumption rose 7% in 1995, mostly as a result of increased use of solar panels for heating in the residential/commercial sector (primarily for swimming pools). The average price of solar thermal collectors dropped 11% in 1995.

Shipments of photovoltaic modules and cells totaled 31.1 peak MW in 1995, an increase of 19% from 1994 shipments. (Peak MW refers to maximum possible hourly electric output.)