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October 2015 Office of Regulatory Staff Energy Office South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights

South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

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Page 1: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

October 2015

Office of Regulatory Staff

Energy Office

South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights

Page 2: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

This document may be downloaded from the State Energy Office website

http://www.energy.sc.gov/edata

Contact: Jacob Scoggins, Energy Specialist

[email protected]

This work is supported by the United States Department of Energy and the South Carolina Energy Office, under Award Number DE-EE0006996, State Energy Program.

Disclaimer: This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information,

apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or

service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily

State or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.

Page 3: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

Forward

Energy is more important than ever for the functioning of modern economic and civic life. As new

regulations are implemented and grid infrastructure investments are needed, policy-makers and energy

consumers in all sectors require relevant data to inform their planning and decision-making in the years

to come.

South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights is the Office of Regulatory Staff -- Energy Office’s (EO)

summary of current and historical energy statistics, with a focus on new and important developments in

the State’s consumption of energy resources. This report is designed to illustrate and underscore trends

in energy consumption that are directly relevant for statewide energy policy and long-range planning.

All efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided in this report is compiled from the

most accurate and most recent sources in the public domain. Unless otherwise noted, the source of all

data in this report is the United States Energy Information Administration. Please note that, because of

the broad scope, these data are typically released with a significant time lag. As a result, the majority of

the statistics presented in this report are current as of 2013. Please visit www.energy.sc.gov to find the

latest updates as new data become available.

The EO, a division of the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, provides a broad range of services to

help the State’s citizens, businesses, non-profits, and public agencies save energy and money. You can

find out more about us online at www.energy.sc.gov.

Page 4: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

Table of Contents

Section 1: Overview - S.C. Energy Demand 5-6

Section 2: Energy Expenditures and Prices 7-8

Section 3: Transportation Sector 9-10

Section 4: Industrial Sector 11-12

Section 5: Residential Sector 13-14

Section 6: Commercial Sector 15-16

Section 7: Electricity 17-19

Section 8: Petroleum 20-21

Section 9: Nuclear, Coal, and Natural Gas 22-23

Section 10: Renewable and Alternative Fuels 24-25

Page 5: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

5

1.Overview—S.C. Energy Demand

Total end-use energy consumption in South Carolina increased 2.5% in 2013, thus reversing a multi-year trend of

marginal reductions. Consumption in the residential, commercial and transportation sectors increased, while the

industrial sector saw a small decrease (“End-use” is the energy used at the point of consumption; it does not include

energy expended in the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity.)

The 2013 increase in energy demand occurred alongside flat (and slightly decreasing) inflation-adjusted energy prices in

the State, and a recovering State economy that experienced a nearly 2% increase in real gross domestic product (GDP)

five years after the contraction seen in 2008-2009. Furthermore, leveling off of energy prices occurred after sharp real

price increases in the years preceding the 2008-2009 economic downturn.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

19

601

961

19

621

963

19

641

965

19

661

967

19

681

969

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

Trill

ion

BTU

South Carolina Total End-Use Energy Consumption by Sector ('60-13)

Residential

Industrial

Commercial

Transportation

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

160000

180000

200000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

$ (Y

r13

)/millio

n B

TU

$ M

illio

n (

Yr1

3)

Real GDP and Real Average Energy Price

GDP Average Energy Price (all fuel sources)

Page 6: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

6

1.Overview—S.C. Energy Demand

Heating degree days (a measure of need for building heating) increased 23.7% over 2012 levels, thus contributing to

higher energy demand in winter months. Conversely, cooling degree days (a measure of need for building cooling) fell

by 14.8% in 2013, reducing summertime demand for electric-powered air conditioning units. There were 1,874 cooling

degree days in 2013, and 2,943 heating degree days.1

1 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://www7.ncdc.noaa.gov/CDO/CDODivisionalSelect.jsp#

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Co

olin

g D

egr

ee

Day

s

S.C. Heating and Cooling Degree Days ('60-'13)

Cooling Degree Days Heating Degree Days

Page 7: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

7

2.Energy Expenditures and Prices

Total South Carolina energy expenditures increased 3.9% in 2013, to $21.73 billion and were above historically

anticipated energy spending levels. The stabilization of energy expenditures from 2010 to 2013 has followed a period of

high volatility in expenditures between 2007 and 2009. A dotted line showing predicted values based on the historical

trend is provided at right for reference.

This spending increase can be partly attributed to flat or increasing fuel costs and was coupled with a decline in energy

usage. Fuel costs grew significantly in some cases and dropped modestly in others. Petroleum products decreased 0.3%

and coal by 5.5%; natural gas increased 21% between 2012 and 2013. (“All uses” takes into account both primary fuels

that are used at the point of consumption — such as heating oil or motor gasoline — and fuels burned in the generation

of electricity for distribution by utilities.)

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

$ M

illio

n (

No

min

al)

Total South Carolina Energy Expenditures ('70-'13)

Energy Expenditures Historical Trend

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

$ p

er

Mill

ion

BTU

(n

om

inal

)

Prices-Four Most Utilized Fuels, All Uses ('70-'13)

Coal

Natural Gas

Nuclear

Petroleum

Page 8: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

8

2.Energy Expenditures and Prices

South Carolina has no indigenous sources of petroleum or coal; therefore, these resources must be purchased from

other States or countries to be used for electricity generation and as transportation fuel.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

19

601

961

19

621

963

19

641

965

19

661

967

19

681

969

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

Trill

ion

BTU

S.C. Coal Production vs. Consumption ('60-'13)

Coal Production Coal Consumption

Coal Imports

Page 9: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

9

3.Transportation Sector

South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption in

2013 and accounted for 28.46% of the State’s energy usage at the point of consumption. “Transportation” includes

energy usage in all air and ground-based vehicles fueling in the State.

Total transportation energy use increased in 2013 by 5.1% as consumption of both diesel fuels and motor gasoline

increased.

Automobiles are responsible for the majority of energy consumption in South Carolina’s transportation sector. Total

motor gasoline consumption increased by 2.4% in 2013. Some of the additional consumption was of fuel ethanol, which

Transportation 28.46%

Commercial 16.31%

Industrial 33.14%

Residential 22.10%

S.C. End-Use Energy Consumption by Sector ('13)

311.99 319.49

91.26 107.45

27.66 25.93

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

2012 2013

Trill

ion

BTU

S.C. Transportation Energy Consumption by Fuel Type ('12, '13)

Other Fuels

Distillate Fuel Oil (Diesel)

Motor Gasoline

Page 10: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

10

3.Transportation Sector

Increased by 2.9% (largely through gasoline-ethanol mixes, such as E10). However, these increases in ethanol use are

modest compared to much larger increases seen in previous years when ethanol initially gained popularity.

Furthermore, ethanol contributed only 6.6% of the total motor gasoline mix in 2013. (South Carolina does not mandate

blended gasoline.)

It should be noted that state-level data on transportation energy consumption includes purchases made by out-of-state

consumers – for example, cars and trucks traveling on interstate highways. Given that South Carolina has the lowest

tax-inclusive gas prices on the southeastern portion of the I-95 corridor, it is likely that these data are inflated by trips

originating from elsewhere and overstate the transportation energy consumed by South Carolina residents and

businesses.2

2 AAA: http://fuelgaugereport.aaa.com/

291.139 294.215 301.268

19.129 20.599 21.193

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2011 2012 2013

Trill

ion

BTU

South Carolina Motor Gasoline by Fuel Type ('11, '12, '13)

Ethanol

Fossil Fuel Only

Page 11: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

11

4.Industrial Sector

Accounting for 33.14% of energy expended, the industrial sector was responsible for the largest share of end-use energy

consumption in 2013. However, total industrial energy usage fell 1.6% in 2013. With the exception of a slight increase

in 2011, industrial energy consumption has been following a multi-year trend of historically anomalous declines

beginning around 2007. Industrial energy consumption continues to be below historically predicted levels.

The recent trend of energy consumption decreases can be partially attributed to the effects of declining industrial

activity during and following the economic recession. However, the fact that industrial energy consumption per dollar of

industrial output has also decreased — through periods of both expansion and contraction — suggests that other

factors, such as increased energy efficiency, may be responsible.3

3 United States Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA): http://www.bea.gov/regional/index.htm (GDP data)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

19

601

961

19

621

963

19

641

965

19

661

967

19

681

969

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

Trill

ion

BTU

S.C. Industrial End-Use Consumption ('60-'13)

Industrial EnergyConsumption

Historical Trend

7000

7500

8000

8500

9000

9500

10000

10500

11000

11500

12000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

BTU

/$ (

Bas

e 2

00

9)

S.C. Industrial End-Use Consumption Divided by S.C. Industrial Real GDP ('97-'13)

Industrial Energy Consumption/Industrial GDP

Page 12: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

12

4.Industrial Sector

Growing by almost 3% after a sharp decrease in 2012 industrial reliance on coal increased slightly in 2013. This increase

was accompanied by increases in natural gas (3%) and purchased electricity (1.8%) and decreases in petroleum (-7.8%),

and biomass (-7.4%). While overall energy use in the industrial sector has been decreasing, general reliance on natural

gas, biomass, and electricity has increased as use of petroleum and coal has declined over a multi-year period.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

19

601

961

19

621

963

19

641

965

19

661

967

19

681

969

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

Trill

ion

BTU

South Carolina Industrial End-Use Energy Consumption by Fuel Type ('60-'13)

Coal

Biomass

Natural Gas

Retail Electricity

Petroleum Products

Page 13: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

13

5.Residential Sector

End-use energy consumption in the residential sector increased by 6.9% in 2013. This increase breaks with the recent

anomalous trend in which residential energy consumption has continued to decrease as population has increased. In

the past, residential energy use correlated closely with population growth and remained relatively constant on a per-

capita basis. Despite the increase in 2013, residential energy use remains below the historical trend compared to the

population.

The increase in residential end-use consumption is associated with increases in the fuels that are primarily consumed by

homes. Petroleum reversed its recent downward trend, with residential use rising 6%. Natural gas, which has been

replacing petroleum in recent years, increased by 25%. Electricity continues to be the predominant energy source for

heating, cooling, and providing power to South Carolina homes. Consumption of retail electricity increased by 1.6%.

Additionally, while wood continues to make up a very small portion of residential end-use energy consumption, use of

wood for heating increased substantially (38%) in 2013, a year with a particularly cool winter.

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

4,000,000

4,500,000

5,000,000

19

601

961

19

621

963

19

641

965

19

661

967

19

681

969

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

Trill

ion

BTU

Po

pu

lati

on

S.C. Residential End-Use Energy Consumption and S.C. Population ('60-'13)

S.C. Population S.C. Residential Energy Consumption Historical Trend

0

40

80

120

160

19

601

961

19

621

963

19

641

965

19

661

967

19

681

969

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

Trill

ion

BTU

S.C. Residential End-Use Energy Consumption by Major Fuel Type ('60-'13)

Wood

Petroleum Products

Natural Gas

Retail Electricity

Page 14: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

14

5.Residential Sector

The average price of all of the most utilized fuels in the residential sector fell between 2012 and 2013, with the

exception of retail electricity. Natural gas decreased by 6%, petroleum products by 0.3%, and wood by 2.7%. The price

of retail electricity remained relatively flat with an increase of 0.44% in 2013.

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

45.00

50.00

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

$ p

er

Mill

ion

BTU

(b

ase

20

13

)

S.C. Real Average Price by Major Fuel Type in the Residential Sector ('70-'13)

RetailElectricity

NaturalGas

PetroleumProducts

Wood

Page 15: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

15

6.Commercial Sector

Commercial end-use energy consumption decreased by 1.6% in 2013. The commercial sector continues to be heavily

reliant on electricity purchases, from which it derived 70.3% of total energy needs at the point of consumption in 2013.

The commercial demand for natural gas and fuel oil spiked between 1976 and 1978 during a period of unusually cold

winters.4

Commercial electricity purchases decreased by 0.6% in 2013, while natural gas increased 11.3%. Petroleum

consumption decreased 6.7%. While retail electricity purchases have continued to provide the vast majority of energy

needs for the commercial sector, natural gas has made modest gains as part of the fuel mix.

4 SCDNR: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

19

601

961

19

621

963

19

641

965

19

661

967

19

681

969

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

Trill

ion

BTU

S.C. Commercial End-Use Energy Consumption by Major Fuel Type

PetroleumProducts

Natural Gas

Retail Electricity

72.51 72.06

21.83 24.29

6.00 5.60

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

2012 2013

Trill

ion

BTU

S.C. Commercial End-Use Energy Consumption by Major Fuel Type ('12,'13)

Petroleum Products

Natural Gas

Retail Electricity

Page 16: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

16

6.Commercial Sector

Total commercial end-use energy consumption has moved up and down with commercial output in recent years.

However, energy use per dollar of commercial GDP has decreased by 23.7% since 1997, thus suggesting greater

efficiency.5

5 BEA: http://www.bea.gov/regional/index.htm (GDP data)

900.00

950.00

1000.00

1050.00

1100.00

1150.00

1200.00

1250.00

1300.00

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

BTU

/$(B

ase

20

09

)

S.C. Commercial End-Use Consumption divided by S.C. Commerical Real GDP ('97-'13)

Commercial Energy Consumption/Commerical Real GDP

Page 17: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

17

7.Electricity

More than half of the electricity generated in South Carolina comes from nuclear power. Coal and natural gas make up

the bulk of the remaining generation. Hydroelectric and biomass are the largest renewable electricity generation

resources in the State. However, it is important to note that electricity generated in South Carolina is not necessarily

consumed in the State. South Carolina has two multi-state utilities that generate electricity for their North and South

Carolina customers in South Carolina. This situation means that the generation fuel mix does not solely represent the

consumption by South Carolina customers because much of that electricity is sent across the border.

South Carolina has the third largest nuclear generating capacity in the United States. While coal continues to be the

second largest resource by capacity, a dramatic increase in natural gas has occurred since 2000. In the electric power

sector, natural gas capacity increased from less than 700 MW in 1999 to over 5,300 MW in 2013.

Nuclear 56.49%

Coal 25.41%

Natural Gas 12.32%

Hydroelectric 3.29%

Wood 2.10%

Other Biomass 0.22%

Other 0.06%

Petroleum 0.11%

Solar 0.0001%

Electric Generation in S.C. by Source ('13)

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000

Nuclear

Coal

Natural Gas

Hydroelectric

Wood

Other Biomass

Petroleum

Pumped Storage

Solar

MW

Electric Generating Capacity in S.C. ('13)

Page 18: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

18

7.Electricity

In general, commercial, residential, and industrial end-use sectors in South Carolina have significantly increased their

consumption of electricity over the last 40 years. In 2013 there was an increase of 1.6% in electricity consumption in the

residential sector and a decrease of 0.6% in the commercial sector. The industrial sector increased its consumption by

1.8% in 2013. This increase marked the fourth straight year of increased usage after a sharp decrease in the period

directly following the start of the economic recession.

Total South Carolina electricity consumption fell by 1.7% in 2013. Electricity consumption plateaued in 2010 and began

to decrease in the past few years after almost forty years of generally steady increases. Based on the historical trend,

these recent decreases put consumption below expected consumption.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

19

601

961

19

621

963

19

641

965

19

661

967

19

681

969

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

Trill

ion

BTU

S.C. Electricity Consumption by Sector ('60-'13)

Commercial

Industrial

Residential

0

200

400

600

800

1000

19

601

961

19

621

963

19

641

965

19

661

967

19

681

969

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

Trill

ion

BTU

S.C. Total Electric Energy Consumption ('60-'13)

Total Electric EnergyConsumption

Historical Trend

Page 19: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

19

7.Electricity

The leveling in electricity demand can be partially attributed to retail electric prices, which have increased in inflation-

adjusted terms after a long period of real declines.

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

38

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

$ p

er

Mill

ion

BTU

(b

ase

20

13

)

S.C. Real Retail Electricity Price ('70-'13)

Real Retail Electricity Price

Page 20: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

20

8.Petroleum

The transportation sector has seen a large increase in its use of petroleum products since 1960. However, this

consumption has leveled out somewhat in the previous nine years. All other sectors have seen a decrease in their use of

petroleum over the same time period.

With transportation being the largest petroleum consuming sector, motor gasoline is by far the most consumed

petroleum product. The two petroleum products most regularly used in ground transportation (diesel and motor

gasoline) account for 88% of the petroleum used in the State.

0

30

60

90

120

150

180

210

240

270

300

330

360

390

420

450

19

601

961

19

621

963

19

641

965

19

661

967

19

681

969

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

Trill

ion

BTU

Petroleum Consumption by Sector ('60-'13)

Transportation

Commercial

Electricity

Industrial

Residential

Motor Gasoline 64%

Residual Fuel Oil 2%

Other 6%

Distillate Fuel 24%

Jet Fuel 2%

LPG 2%

Petroleum Usage by Product Type ('13)

Page 21: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

21

8.Petroleum

The real average price of all major petroleum products has increased since 1998. Motor gasoline prices increased 153%

and distillate fuel increased by 204%. However, there was a decrease in the price of both of these fuels between 2012

and 2013. While there have been significant price increases over the last fourteen years, consumption of petroleum

products has continued to grow. This trend is consistent with academic findings that demand for transportation fuels is

highly inelastic, and has become even more so in recent years.6

6 See Hughes, J., Knittel, C. and Sperling, D. “Evidence of a Shift in the Short-Run Price Elasticity of Gasoline Demand”. National

Bureau of Economic Research (2006).

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

$ p

er

Mill

ion

BTU

(b

ase

20

13

)

Real Average Petroleum Price by Product Type ('70-'13)

Distillate Fuel

Jet Fuel

LPG

Motor Gasoline

Residual Fuel

Page 22: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

22

9.Nuclear, Coal and Natural Gas

Nuclear power is a vital energy resource for the State of South Carolina. There are currently seven reactors at four

nuclear power plants in the State, and two more are being constructed. Nuclear power continued as the most cost-

effective source of energy from a price-per-BTU perspective, but the price did increase by 7.9% in 2013. A major barrier

to new nuclear construction is the large upfront capital costs.

South Carolina has no coal mines. However, coal continues to be a major energy resource in the State. This means that

coal must be imported from a number of other States to power domestic coal fired power plants. The price of electricity

produced from coal decreased by 5.53% in 2013.

Natural gas met 14.9% of South Carolina’s total energy needs in 2013, through both direct on-site consumption for

building heating, industrial production, and electric power generation. Between 2008 and 2013, natural gas

consumption by the electric power sector more than doubled. Since 2009 the industrial sector has been the second

largest consumer of natural gas after being overtaken by the electric power sector. Additionally, almost a quarter of

households in South Carolina use natural gas for heating. However, the residential sector lags behind in consumption

due to the prevalence of electric home heating and relatively mild winters. Greater use of this resource has occurred as

prices have decreased nearly fifty percent since 2008. However, the demand for — and cost of — natural gas has

historically been very volatile. They shift in response both to supply-side factors, such as refinery disruptions and

changing availability of fuels for which natural gas is a substitute, and to demand-side factors, such as fluctuations in

temperature and peak demand for electric power.7

7 See EIA, “An Analysis of Price Volatility in Natural Gas Markets.”:

http://www.eia.gov/pub/oil_gas/natural_gas/feature_articles/2007/ngprivolatility/ngprivolatility.pdf

0

50

100

150

200

250

19

601

961

19

621

963

19

641

965

19

661

967

19

681

969

19

701

971

19

721

973

19

741

975

19

761

977

19

781

979

19

801

981

19

821

983

19

841

985

19

861

987

19

881

989

19

901

991

19

921

993

19

941

995

19

961

997

19

981

999

20

002

001

20

022

003

20

042

005

20

062

007

20

082

009

20

102

011

20

122

013

Trill

ion

BTU

S.C. Natural Gas Consumption--Electric Generation and Primary End-Use ('60-'13)

Electric Generation

Transportation

Commercial

Residential

Industrial

Page 23: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

23

10. Renewables and Alternative Fuels

Renewable energy consumption in South Carolina grew 11.6% in 2013, with solar increasing 6.8% and geothermal use

flat. However, these two resources make up a very small portion of the renewable portfolio in South Carolina. Biomass,

in the form of wood and waste, and hydroelectricity are the two largest renewable resources in the State. Biomass

consumption decreased slightly by 3.9%, while hydroelectric increased by 123% in 2013. The significant rebound in

hydroelectric generation coincided with a period of recovery from drought conditions in much of the State.8 Renewable

sources continued to meet only a small fraction of the consumption needs of the State in 2013.

As mentioned in Section 3 (Transportation Sector), consumption of ethanol and other alternative vehicle fuels increased

in 2013. As the number of alternatively fueled vehicles grows, there will also be an increase in fueling stations offering

those fuels will also occur. The current availability of alternative fuel stations is presented in the chart below. 9

8 SC DNR: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/Drought/drought_current_info.php

9U.S. Department of Energy: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/stations_counts.html

Solar 132 141

Geothermal 648 648

Hydroelectric 13515 30152

Wood and Waste 96346 92618

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000

100000

110000

Bill

ion

BTU

S.C. Renewable Energy Consumption ('12,'13)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Biodiesel CNG E85 Electric Hydrogen LNG LPG

27 9

69

162

2 1

56 # o

f St

atio

ns

Alternative Fueling Stations by Type

Page 24: South Carolina Energy Statistical Highlights South Carolina Energy...South Carolina’s transportation sector was responsible for the second largest share of end-use energy consumption

24

10. Renewables and Alternative Fuels

In spring of 2014, the South Carolina General Assembly passed and the Governor signed the Distributed Energy Resource

Program Act. This legislation is meant to encourage development of solar energy in the State and give citizens greater

access to distributed photovoltaic systems. Currently, most distributed solar generation facilities are located in the most

populous counties and coastal counties. Charleston County has the most installed capacity with over 1100 kW.

0.00 200.00 400.00 600.00 800.00 1000.00 1200.00 1400.00

FlorenceChester

EasleyKereshawBambergRock HillCamden

DarlingtonBarnwell

McCormickGreer

KershawEdgefield

SaludaFairfieldChester

AllendaleCalhoun

UnionOrangeburg

AbbevilleGeorgetown

CherokeeLaurens

GreenwoodLancaster

SumterHamptonAndersonNewberry

ChesterfieldColletonOconee

DorchesterAiken

PickensYork

BerkeleyHorry

RichlandBeaufort

SpartanburgLexingtonGreenville

Charleston

kW AC

Installed PV Capacity by County (customer owned)