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There's an awesome picture of where our energy comes from and goes, here:
http://trinifar.wordpress.com/2007/07/23/high-carbon-economy/
Also has another picture, with numbers (though not indication of non-fuel uses of oil, as the first one does.) It's shocking how much is lost as waste. It looks like we could more than double our available energy -- especially in transportation -- through conservation!
Of course, physics may get in the way; I assume a lot of that waste is dictated by the thermodynamics of Carnot heat engines. Oil could be used more efficiently in central plants, perhaps, but transporting the electricity isn't lossless... though it looks better than burning in cars.
And what, New Yorkers were said to use one-third of the American average per capita?
http://trinifar.wordpress.com/2007/07/23/high-carbon-economy/
Also has another picture, with numbers (though not indication of non-fuel uses of oil, as the first one does.) It's shocking how much is lost as waste. It looks like we could more than double our available energy -- especially in transportation -- through conservation!
Of course, physics may get in the way; I assume a lot of that waste is dictated by the thermodynamics of Carnot heat engines. Oil could be used more efficiently in central plants, perhaps, but transporting the electricity isn't lossless... though it looks better than burning in cars.
And what, New Yorkers were said to use one-third of the American average per capita?