BradleyPNW + 282 ES July 3, 2020 Natural gas knocked coal down far enough that renewables as a group were able to pass it up. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=44277 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan Clemmensen + 1,011 July 3, 2020 😀 The pre-1900 stats seem to ignore several major contributors, all "renewable". You cannot tell from the posted chart: look at the reference. Non-electric hydro: This was mostly grist mills and sawmills, all over the place, but also some large water-driven factories. Wind power: A small amount of wind was used all over the place on farms to pump water. A larger(?) amount was used to propel ships. Lighting: before kerosene, lighting was done with tallow, wax, or animal or vegetable oils. Animal traction and transportation: a huge part of the economy was devoted to raising and feeding horses. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BradleyPNW + 282 ES July 5, 2020 There must be a good history of energy course somewhere. Energy usually plays a supporting role as part of courses on the Industrial Revolution but it would be interesting to examine history with energy playing the star. Just for the sake of a different viewpoint. https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/big-history-project/acceleration/other-materials9/a/energy-through-time Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites