Question

u.s. primary energy consumption by energy source, 2023
total = 93.59 quadrillion british thermal units
total = 8.24 quadrillion british thermal units

petroleum 38%
nuclear electric power 9%
coal 9%
renewable energy 9%
natural gas 36%

1% - geothermal
11% - solar
10% - hydroelectric
18% - wind
5% - biomass waste
32% - biofuels
23% - wood
biomass 60%

data source: u.s. energy information administration, monthly energy review, table 1.3 and 10.1, april 2024, preliminary data
note: sum of components may not equal 100% because of independent rounding.

Explanation:

🆕 New Concept Discovered: Nested Pie Chart Analysis
Reading breakdown charts to find a subset of a total.

Step 1: Identify total renewable energy

From the main pie chart on the left, the total primary energy consumption is \( 93.59 \) quadrillion Btu, and renewable energy accounts for \( 9\% \) of this total.

The stacked bar chart on the right breaks down this renewable energy portion. The total value of renewable energy is given at the top right:

$$ \text{Total Renewable Energy} = 8.24 \text{ quadrillion Btu} $$

Step 2: Identify the share of wind energy

From the stacked bar chart on the right, wind energy accounts for \( 18\% \) of the total renewable energy.

Step 3: Calculate wind energy consumption

To find the energy consumption from wind, calculate \( 18\% \) of the total renewable energy (\( 8.24 \) quadrillion Btu):

$$ \text{Wind Energy} = 8.24 \times 0.18 $$

$$ \text{Wind Energy} = 1.4832 \text{ quadrillion Btu} $$

Answer:

Approximately 1.48 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) of energy was consumed from wind in the U.S. in 2023.