Sylvie Willis
The United States is the second-largest producer and consumer of electricity in the world, after China. In 2023, about 4.18 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity were generated in the US, with fossil fuels accounting for 60% of this generation. Petroleum, which includes distillate or diesel fuel oil, was the source of about 0.4% of US electricity generation in 2023. Diesel fuel is primarily used in the US transportation sector, with diesel engines in trucks, trains, boats, and barges helping to transport almost all of the products consumed. Diesel fuel is also used in diesel engine generators to produce electricity, particularly in remote villages in Alaska as the primary source of electricity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of electricity generated from diesel fuel in the US | 0.4% in 2023 |
| US ranking in global electricity production and consumption | Second-largest producer and consumer in 2021 |
| US electricity production in 2023 | 4,029 TWh |
| US electricity production in 2023 from fossil fuels | 2,509 TWh |
| US electricity production in 2023 from renewable sources | 9% |
| US electricity production in 2023 from nuclear power | 9% |
| US electricity production in 2023 from diesel fuel | Not specified |
| US diesel fuel consumption in 2022 (excluding biodiesel and renewable diesel) | 2.98 million barrels per day or 125 million gallons per day |
| US diesel fuel consumption in 2022 as a percentage of total US distillate consumption | 75% |
| US diesel fuel consumption in 2022 as a percentage of total US petroleum consumption | 15% |
| US diesel fuel consumption in 2022 as a percentage of total US energy consumption | 6% |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is used in diesel engine generators
In 2023, about 4.18 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity were generated at utility-scale electricity generation facilities in the United States. Fossil fuels—coal, natural gas, and petroleum—accounted for 60% of electricity generation. Petroleum, in particular, was the source of 0.4% of US electricity generation in 2023.
Distillate, or diesel fuel oil, is used in internal-combustion engines such as diesel-engine generators. Diesel engines work through a process of internal combustion, where the intake valve opens, bringing air into the cylinder. The piston then moves upward and compresses the air, and fuel is injected. The air, heated by the compression, ignites the fuel and forces the piston back down. This turns the crankshaft, which spins the rotor between two polarized magnets within a magnetic field, creating an electrical current. Diesel engines have the highest thermal efficiency of any internal combustion engine, which allows them to achieve an approximate percentage of Carnot efficiency.
Diesel fuel is widely used for heavy equipment, including generators, due to its high fuel efficiency. Diesel generators are used in a variety of settings, from residential to commercial and industrial facilities, with sizes ranging from 8 to 30 kW for homes and small shops and up to 2,000 kW for larger industrial applications. They are also used in rural areas and on large ships for auxiliary power. Diesel generators are valued for their versatility, quick startup, and ability to support main power grids during emergencies or peak demand periods.
However, it is important to note that burning diesel creates exhaust gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution. Additionally, the transportation of diesel fuel can be challenging due to the risk of spills and the need to comply with regulations for larger quantities.
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Diesel is a fossil fuel
In 2023, about 4.18 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity were generated at utility-scale electricity generation facilities in the United States. Fossil fuels—coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases—accounted for about 60% of this electricity generation. Diesel fuel is a fossil fuel, specifically a liquid fuel designed for use in a diesel engine, a type of internal combustion engine. The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, which is refined from crude oil and biomass materials.
Petroleum accounted for 38% of the US's energy in 2023, and it was the source of about 0.4% of US electricity generation in the same year. Petroleum diesel is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil between 200 and 350 °C at atmospheric pressure, resulting in a mixture of carbon chains. However, as this is usually insufficient in supply and quality, other sources of diesel fuel are blended in, including biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction.
Diesel fuel can also be produced from sources that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), or gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel. These alternative sources of diesel fuel are becoming increasingly common. Diesel fuel is a high-volume product of oil refineries, and it is used in diesel engines for motor vehicles, heavy trucks, boats, and aircraft. Diesel-engine generators also use diesel fuel to generate electricity in some locations, including remote villages in Alaska.
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Diesel fuel is used for backup power supply
Diesel generators offer reliability and versatility in practical applications. They can be operated for extended periods, even beyond their base capacity, due to their ability to utilise additional diesel fuel stored on-site. This feature is particularly advantageous for businesses and facilities that face constraints in installing stationary generators due to cost or space limitations.
However, diesel generators have certain drawbacks. They produce thick, smoky, and strongly smelling exhaust, which contains toxic emissions harmful to both humans and animals. Therefore, it is crucial to install diesel generators outdoors or in designated generator rooms equipped with efficient exhaust systems to mitigate the impact of emissions on individuals within the facility.
In the context of the United States' energy landscape, diesel fuel is classified under the broader category of petroleum. In 2023, petroleum accounted for about 0.4% of US electricity generation, with diesel being a contributor. While fossil fuels, including petroleum, natural gas, and coal, collectively accounted for approximately 60% of US electric generation in 2023, indicating a significant presence of diesel fuel in the country's electricity production.
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Diesel fuel is used in remote villages in Alaska
In 2023, about 60% of electricity in the United States was generated from fossil fuels, with petroleum contributing about 0.4%. Diesel fuel, a petroleum distillate, is used in internal combustion engines such as diesel-engine generators. While diesel is a significant source of electricity in the US, it is particularly important in remote villages in Alaska.
Approximately 200 Arctic Alaskan communities rely on diesel fuel as their primary source of electricity and heat. The remote location of these villages results in high transportation costs for diesel fuel, leading to higher power costs for these communities compared to the rest of the country. The production and refining of diesel fuel also contribute to increased emissions of heat-trapping gases.
Recognizing the challenges and environmental impact of diesel fuel, some remote Alaskan villages are transitioning to renewable energy sources. For example, Kotzebue, a city in the Northwest Arctic Borough, has successfully implemented wind power. By installing wind turbines, the community has been able to reduce its dependence on diesel fuel, with wind power currently meeting 20% of the city's average electricity demand.
To further reduce their reliance on diesel, Arctic populations are exploring the use of microgrids, which enable the distribution of electricity through generators, batteries, or renewable sources. Alaska already utilizes many microgrids, and connecting these to renewable resources could help decrease diesel fuel usage. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has provided funding for renewable energy projects in various Alaskan communities, including wind, geothermal, solar, and battery energy storage systems.
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Diesel fuel is used in transportation
In 2023, fossil fuels generated 2,509 TWh of electricity in the US, accounting for 60% of all electricity generation. Petroleum, coal, and natural gas were the largest sources of carbon pollution from energy production, with petroleum accounting for 46% of carbon pollution. Diesel fuel, which is derived from petroleum, accounted for 12% of carbon pollution from energy in the US.
Diesel fuel is indeed used in transportation. In 2022, distillate (or diesel) fuel consumption by the US transportation sector was about 125 million gallons per day, accounting for about 15% of total US petroleum consumption. Diesel fuel is commonly used in trucks, trains, boats, barges, and public and school buses. It also powers most of the farm and construction equipment in the US. The US military uses diesel fuel in tanks and trucks because it is less flammable and less explosive than other fuels. Diesel engines are also less likely to stall than gasoline-fueled engines.
Diesel fuel has a greater energy density than other liquid fuels, providing more useful energy per unit of volume. It is a liquid fuel specifically designed for use in a diesel engine, a type of internal combustion engine in which fuel ignition occurs without a spark due to the compression of inlet air and the injection of fuel. The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but biodiesel and renewable diesel are increasing in use. Biodiesel is made by chemically reacting alcohol with vegetable oils, fats, or greases and can be used in unmodified diesel engines. It is the fastest-growing alternative transportation fuel in the US and can improve the smell of diesel fuel.
In 2021, petroleum products accounted for about 90% of the total US transportation sector energy use, with gasoline being the dominant transportation fuel, followed by distillate fuels (mostly diesel) and jet fuel.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, diesel fuel oil was used to generate about 0.4% of electricity in America. Diesel fuel is primarily used in diesel engine generators for backup and emergency power supply in industrial facilities, large buildings, hospitals, electric utilities, and remote villages in Alaska.
The three major categories of energy sources for electricity generation in America are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 60% of electricity generation, while nuclear energy and renewable energy each contributed about 18-19% and 20-21%, respectively.
Renewable energy sources, including hydropower, wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal, have been gaining prominence in America. In 2023, they collectively contributed to about 20-21% of total electricity generation. Solar energy, in particular, has seen rapid growth, with small-scale solar photovoltaic systems generating an estimated 73.62 billion kWh in 2023.
Diesel fuel is a significant contributor to carbon emissions in America. In 2022, diesel fuel accounted for about 6% of total primary energy consumption in the United States. Within the transportation sector, diesel fuel represented about 23% of total energy consumption. As a result, diesel fuel contributes to the carbon emissions associated with this sector.
The use of biodiesel and renewable diesel is increasing in America. While diesel fuel currently plays a role in electricity generation and transportation, the growth of renewable energy sources and the declining costs of fossil fuel alternatives may lead to a shift away from diesel fuel in the future.
