In this issue

Web site of the month: Energy Information Administration

The Energy Information Administration Energy Kids Page teaches kids about energy sources, uses, science and efficiency in easy-to-understand terms with lots of pictures and graphics.

Energy—buying it, selling it, delivering it—is a utility's business. And there's more: figuring out how to use energy more efficiently, putting together the right mix of resources at the right cost, forecasting how much customers will need next month, next year or five years from now.

Clearly, power suppliers need lots of information about energy to do their jobs, and that is what Energy Information Administration provides. EIA, the statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Energy, compiles energy data, analysis and forecasts to promote sound policy making, efficient energy markets and public understanding about energy. By law, EIA's products are prepared independently of administration policy, so it does not form or advocate policy conclusions.

Statistics on fuel, use, markets

The EIA site groups its wealth of data into 12 categories:

• Petroleum
• Natural gas
• Electricity
• Coal
• Nuclear
• Uranium fuel, nuclear reactors, generation, spent fuel
• Renewable & alternative fuels
• International
• Forecasts & analyses
• State & U.S. historical data overview
• Households, buildings & industry
• Environment
• Energy Kids' page

Users will also find news, publications and reference materials. The news section features upcoming conferences, training courses and reports.

The Annual Energy Review, EIA's primary report on historical energy data, is located under publications. The data include overviews for each category along with statistics on total energy production, consumption and trade.

Energy Basics 101 and Frequently Asked Questions are some of the reference materials available.

Resources for utilities

Utility professionals will most likely be drawn first to the Electricity section, for data on markets, generation, fuel, the environment and more. Demand-side management statistics show costs and effects of programs from 1994 to 2005. The Electricity Infocard gives a snapshot of the industry in graphs and charts.

The Wholesale Market Report, Electric Power Monthly and Electric Power Annual monitor electricity sales throughout the year. The Short Term Energy Outlook and the Annual Energy Outlook forecast and analyze future U.S. energy supply, demand and prices. Most data tables are available in html, pdf and Excel format.

The Environment section includes data on electric powerplant emissions and breakdowns of state emissions by fuel and energy sectors. Environmental reports on U.S. power sector emissions from past years and emission forecasts are also available here.

Households, Buildings, Industry & Vehicles contains end-use energy consumption data that can help utilities keep an eye on consumer trends. This section offers extensive information on energy consumption in the residential, commercial and manufacturing sectors. Detailed household microdata is a statistical survey on energy consumption and expenditures in housing units, along with data on energy-related characteristics of the houses and occupants. Building microdata compiles similar statistics on mall buildings in the United States.

Looking for a way to engage and educate your next generation of customers? EIA's Energy Kids' Page has some great ideas. "Energy Ant" teaches kids about energy sources, uses, science and efficiency in easy-to-understand terms with lots of pictures and graphics. Puzzles, word games, quizzes and a downloadable activity book are entertaining as well as educational. Introducing teachers and school districts to the classroom activities and field trip suggestions can turn them into valuable partners in your utility's public outreach program.

These highlights are only a fraction of the data available from the Energy Information Administration. Energy services managers, analysts and board members will think of dozens of uses for the information to be found on this Web site of the month.  

Note: If there is an energy- or utility-related Web site that you find especially useful, let us know. Contact the editor with your suggestion for Web site of the Month.