Sources of Energy
Fossil Fuels Continue to Dominate
Although renewables are the fastest growing world energy source, the planet still uses fossil fuels to meet the majority of its energy needs. Fossil fuels are projected to continue to supply much of the energy used worldwide through the year 2035, especially in emerging economies.
World Energy Consumption by Fuel, 1990-2035
*Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
Ensuring Environmentally Safe Shale Gas Production
The recent boom in shale gas is expected to make up an increasing share of U.S. gas production, nearly doubling in volume over the next 25 years. Approximately 30% of this is expected to come from the Marcellus Shale field located partially in Pennsylvania. Although shale gas is a promising new source of low-carbon energy, concerns over methane release and groundwater quality persist.
How CMU is Addressing the Challenge
Expanding the mix of energy sources in a way that is clean, reliable, affordable and sustainable is a complex challenge that requires integrated solutions. Carnegie Mellon professors are developing technologies and policies that can help broaden the mix, while managing carbon emissions and ensuring that new forms of fuel such as shale gas are extracted responsibly.
Learn about ongoing CMU research in these areas:
- Study: Shutting Down U.S. Nuclear Plants Would Have Daunting Effect On Economy and Environment
- Three-University Consortium Receives Funding For Fossil Energy Research
- CMU Leads Research Team Looking at Water Produced from Marcellus Shale Drilling
- Experts Say Cap and Trade Policies Are Not Enough To Reduce Emissions by 2050
- Team Finds Hurricanes Pose Potential Risks to Offshore Wind Turbines
- Researchers Find Fewer Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Controversial Drilling at Marcellus Shale Sites in Pennsylvania
- CMU Researchers to Improve Energy Storage Technologies for U.S. Power Grid
- Researchers Say Coal Can Power Electricity Plants With Clean, Cost-Effective Results
- Carnegie Mellon Researchers Urge U.S. Officials To Study Indirect Impacts of Fossil Fuels That May Limit Future Energy
- Carnegie Mellon Team Studying Water Quality From Shale Gas Development
- Carnegie Mellon Researcher Says China's Growing Export Trade Fuels Climate Change Problems
- CMU Developing Clean Energy Solutions in Haiti
- Press Release: Carnegie Mellon University Purchases 100 Percent of its Energy From Wind Power
- Solar Energy Helps Power Computer Science Facility
- Carnegie Mellon Engineering Professors Create World's Smallest Fuel Cell Powered By Biology
- Carnegie Mellon Launches Professional Master's Degree Program in Energy, Science, Technology and Policy