Opower recently released 10 energy statistics from 2013 that capture some of the most significant trends of the year, and will change the energy world.

1. 61% – The percentage of energy that is wasted by the U.S. economy each year

Research recently found that despite a reduction in total consumption, the U.S. wastes more energy than it uses; the country is only 39% energy efficient. Most of the energy waste comes from electricity production and transportation.

2. $8.3 Billion – The current annual budget allocated by U.S. utilites to help reduce customers’ energy demand

U.S. utilities consistantly spend more money to find ways to help customers reduce energy demand. The combined budget of all “demand-side management” initiatives is currently $8.3 billion, allocated to improve the efficiency of buildings and appliances, reduce peak electric demand, and give consumers the assistance needed in order to save energy.

3. 344 Months – The number of consecutive months for which Earth’s monthly average temperature has been above the 20th century average

The top ten warmest years on record have all taken place in the past 15 years, as a result of the increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. 2013 was one of the hottest years recorded, since modern measurements began, with the average surface temperature 1.08°F above the 20th century average.

4. 33,955 – New York’s electric power demand on the afternoon of July 19,2013 – the highest level ever recorded in the Empire State

On July 19, between 3:00 – 4:00 PM, New York’s hourly average electricity demand hit 33,955 megawatts, passing the record set in 2006. Peak electricity demand has become one of the utility industry’s most expensive indicatives. In order to create programs designed to reduce peak demand and guarantee the electric grid runs smoothly on extreme-temperature days, utility companies budget nearly a billion dollars a year.

5. 1 in 25 – The fraction of new vehicle sales in the U.S. that are hybrids or plug-in electric vehicles

In August 2013, in the U.S., the average fuel economy of new vehicles sold was 24.9 miles per gallon. This number has increased 20% over the past 5 years and believed to increase in arrangement with new federal standards.

6. Double – What will happen to Asia-Pacific region’s electricity demand within two decades

Research predicts that Asia’s energy consumption will grow by 2.1% each year through 2035, whereas the global average rate is 1.5%. As a result, Asia will account for more than half of the world’s energy consumption in 20 years.

7. 1 Billion- the collective volume of data points being generated by smart meters in the U.S. every day

Utilities worldwide continue to transform its infrastructure in order to change how customers and energy companies understand energy data. Currently, over 46 million smart meters have been installed throughout the U.S. and have created real-time communication of energy data between customers and their service providers.

8. -5% - The change in America’s residential electricity consumption during the Super Bowl

While the New Orleans Superdome experienced a 34-minute blackout 2013 Super Bowl, the event reduces home energy use across the U.S. every year. Recent research has found that during the Super Bowl, residential electricity usage drops 5%, because consumers are watching the game with friends and family, and aren’t using other appliances.

9. 4 Minutes- How often a new solar energy system is installed in the U.S.

In 2013, the solar industry is on track to install 4,300 megawatts of electric capacity. In other words, the bumber 2013 of solar additions is equal to the number the solar capacity installed since beginning of time through 2011.

10. 20,000 Russian Warheads- What has fueled 10% of America’s electricity production over the last 15 years

Recently, a top U.S. State Department official told a UN Committee that the 1993 disarmament agreement between Russia and the U.S., also known as the “Megatons-to-Megawatts” deal, has converted 500 metric tons of bomb-grade uranium from Russian warheads into low-enriched uranium fuel that has been used by most U.S. nuclear power plants. Since 1995, it’s estimated that half of all U.S. nuclear electricity production has been a result of the Megatons program.

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