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Title: US energy flow, 1981

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6952982· OSTI ID:6952982

Flow diagrams to describe the US energy situation have been prepared since 1972 by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. In 1981 the energy consumption was 73 quads (or 73 x 10/sup 15/ Btu) - down from 75 quads in 1980. Oil continues to dominate the picture as it comprises 45% of the total energy used. Net oil use (exclusive of oil purchased for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and exports) fell 8%; oil imports declined 14%. In contrast to oil, use of natural gas and coal remained at 1980 levels. Decreased use of residual oils, principally for electric power generation, account for much of the drop in oil use. Increased use of coal and nuclear energy for power generation almost compensated for the decrease in use of oil in that end-use. Transmitted power remained at 1980 levels. The remainder of the drop in energy usage is attributed to price-driven conservation, increased efficiencies in end-use and the recession that prevailed during most of the year. The share of the energy drop attributable to the recession is estimated by various analysts to be on the order of 40 to 50%. The fact that for a given dollar of US GNP, oil consumption has declined faster than overall energy consumption attests to the role factors other than the economic slow-down have had on decreased energy consumption. Gasoline consumption remained at 1980 levels and the total transportation end-use sector increased its energy consumption by a modest 3%.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
6952982
Report Number(s):
UCID-19227-81; ON: DE83001579
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English