Vehicle standards around the world aim to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions

Nine countries and regions, which together account for 75% of global fuel consumption by light-duty vehicles, have adopted mandatory or voluntary standards for increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The intent and structure of these emissions policies vary widely around the world. Because fuel economy and GHG emissions policies have large effects on fuel consumption, vehicle standards are one of the most important components of future demand for liquid fuels. More »

Beyond China, other Southeast Asian countries plan for significant hydroelectric additions

China's substantial development of hydroelectric power, including the largest power plant in the world at Three Gorges Dam, has overshadowed the relatively large hydroelectric expansion plans of other Southeast Asia countries. Combined, the smaller countries of Southeast Asia plan to construct 61 gigawatts (GW) of new hydroelectric generating capacity through 2020. If all planned projects are completed, these countries will nearly double their 2012 hydroelectric capacity of 39 GW. More »

Increased recycling may reduce metals sector energy use in China

China produces more steel and aluminum than any other country. Secondary production, or producing metal from recycled scrap metal, is the primary opporunity to reduce the country's energy intensity for both of these industries, because secondary production uses significantly less energy than primary production using raw material inputs. More »

India likely to experience continued growth in electricity use for air conditioning

Energy demand for space cooling is growing rapidly in India and around the world, driven by rising incomes and a natural preference for certain ambient air temperatures. More »

Chinese policies aim to increase energy efficiency in buildings

From 1998 to 2012, the energy consumption of buildings in China grew by about 7.7% per year, much faster than China's average annual population increase, which was less than 1% per year. This consumption growth was driven by growing incomes and modernization that significantly increase the use of electricity and other forms of energy. More »

United Arab Emirates plans to increase crude oil and natural gas production

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the world's sixth-largest oil producer in 2014, and the second-largest producer of petroleum and other liquids in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), behind only Saudi Arabia. Because the prospects for further oil discoveries in the UAE are low, the UAE is relying on the application of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques in mature oil fields to increase production. More »

India aims to reduce high electricity transmission and distribution system losses

Despite considerable improvement since the turn of the century, India has one of the highest levels of electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) losses in the world. T&D losses represent electricity that is generated but does not reach intended customers. India's T&D losses are almost 20% of generation, more than twice the world average and nearly three times as large as T&D losses in the United States. More »

Exelon-Pepco merger could create largest U.S. electric utility

The proposed merger of Exelon Corporation and Pepco Holdings Inc. would, if approved, create the largest electric utility holding company in the United States as measured by number of customers. The combined 8.5 million customers served by the new Exelon would surpass the number of customers served by the next-largest utility holding company, Duke Energy, which merged with Progress Energy in 2012 More »

EIA celebrates World Statistics Day with an energy statistics quiz

As the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is participating in World Statistics Day. Sponsored by the United Nations Statistical Commission, World Statistics Day promotes better understanding of statistics among the general public and policymakers worldwide. More »

Indonesia has significant potential to increase geothermal electricity production

Indonesia ranked third in the world in both geothermal electricity production and geothermal generating capacity in 2014, behind only the United States and the Philippines. The country is located at the convergence of several tectonic plates in Southeast Asia, giving it significant geothermal potential, although most of its potential reserves remain unexplored. More »

Norway's oil production increases, but new investment is declining

Norwegian petroleum and other liquids production, which had been declining since 2001, increased in 2014 and will likely continue increasing in 2015. The production growth in 2014 was mainly the result of new fields coming online, but also included a small increase in output from existing fields. Production has continued to grow in the first half of 2015 and is expected to remain relatively stable over the next few years as growth from new fields balances declines from older fields. More »

Indonesia rejoining OPEC despite being net importer of petroleum

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) notified Indonesia that it plans to accept the country's request to reactivate its membership at the next OPEC meeting in December. Once it rejoins, Indonesia will regain its status as the only Asian member of OPEC and the only member that is a net importer of petroleum and other liquids. More »

With increased regulation, continued decline in residual fuel oil demand is expected

Health and environmental concerns related to the high sulfur content of residual fuel oil (RFO) have led to new policies and regulations that have significantly lowered expectations for future RFO use globally. As the demand for RFO declines, the need for the refining upgrades to convert residual material to lighter, cleaner products will increase. More »

West Coast petroleum markets differ by supply, demand, and distribution

The U.S. Energy Information Administration released a PADD 5 Transportation Fuels Markets study on September 30 that examines supply, demand, and distribution of petroleum-based transportation fuels in Petroleum Administration for Defense District (PADD) 5, which encompasses California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii. More »

Nationwide, electricity generation from coal falls while natural gas rises

The monthly natural gas share of total U.S. electricity generation surpassed the coal share for the second time ever in July, with natural gas fueling 35.0% of total generation to coal's 34.9% share. Compared to the previous July, coal-fired generation fell in every region of the country, while natural gas-fired generation rose in every region. More »

Household heating costs are expected to be lower than previous two winters

Most U.S. households can expect lower heating expenditures this winter (October through March) compared with the past two winters. In most regions, the decline in expenditures is attributed to the combination of warmer weather and lower fuel prices. More »

U.S. reactor operators increase uranium purchases from Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan became the leading supplier of uranium for the 100 operating U.S. nuclear power reactors in 2014, supplying 12 million pounds, or 23%, of the 53.3 million pounds of uranium purchased by owners and operators of U.S. reactors. This level is almost double the 6.5 million pounds of Kazakh-origin uranium purchased in 2013. More »

Hurricane Joaquin may cause problems for East Coast energy infrastructure

Hurricane Joaquin, which strengthened to a Category 4 storm on Thursday, is on track to move north along the East Coast this weekend, potentially bringing torrential rainfall and flooding to the region. To help analysts assess potential storm effects, EIA maintains an energy disruptions map that displays energy infrastructure and real-time storm information. More »

July petroleum data show challenges in the reporting of processed condensate exports

According to official U.S. trade data, the United States exported 21,000 barrels per day (b/d) of condensate derived wholly from natural gas (CDWFNG) to Brazil in July 2015. Under the current U.S. export classification system, CDWFNG falls under the general heading of crude oil within the 2709 Schedule B category. Consequently, these exports are counted as crude oil in EIA's Petroleum Supply Monthly released yesterday. More »