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[Phys-L] Energy Facts



Lawrence Livermore National Lab puts together a graphic about energy use in the United States each year. Frankly, it is one of the great pieces of graphic design, better than the usual infographics that you see from time to time. They describe energy inputs from the difference sources and then where the energy goes.

If you teach environmental science the material is essential. If you teach physics, it is nice to see a chart that tracks losses.

The graphic is here

https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/content/energy/energy_archive/energy_flow_2013/2013USEnergy.png

Some analysis and explanations of what different terms mean here

http://www.treehugger.com/energy-efficiency/latest-look-lawrence-livermore-graph-tells-you-everything-you-need-know-about-americas-energy-use.html

And, yes, I know that Treehugger has an agenda. I'm not trying to start a fight. Don't click here if you don't want to. You are adults; you can figure out what parts are opinion and what parts are reasonable interpretation and translation.

Historical graphs can be useful too. 

2012 https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/content/energy/energy_archive/energy_flow_2012/2012new2012newUSEnergy.png

More extensive historical data is available here. https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/archive.html#energy_archive all the way back to 1950.

The Energy Information Administration makes even more extensive reports but simpler graphics. Go figure. Their work can be found here 
http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/annual/?src=Total-f5#summary

Marc "Zeke" Kossover