Overview
Every state in the United States provides electricity to its residents. Obviously, electricity is a modern necessity that every household needs in order to survive. But, some states produce more electricity than others. Texas is one of those States. Texas produces a lot of electricity.
How much? Texas produces over 11% of the entire electricity that is produced in the United States.
Texas is rapidly growing: “According to the 2018 population estimates provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas has, once again, added more people than all other states (an increase of 3.6 million people), and its percentage growth of 14.1 percent.” Here’s what we do know:
Because of the massive population increases in Texas year over a year, we can assume that the electricity consumption in Texas will continue to rise. This is true for both individuals and businesses. How is Electricity Produced in Texas? In general, electricity is produced this way: “Electricity is most often generated at a power plant by electromechanical generators, primarily driven by heat engines fueled by combustion or nuclear fission.” In Texas, electricity is produced in a variety of ways.
- Hydroelectric energy
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Geothermal energy
- And more
History in Texas
- Texas is the top U.S. producer of both crude oil and natural gas. In 2019, the state accounted for 41% of the nation’s crude oil production and 25% of its marketed natural gas production.
- Texas leads the nation in wind-powered generation and produced about 28% of all the U.S. wind-powered electricity in 2019.
- Texas wind turbines have produced more electricity than both of the state’s nuclear power plants since 2014.
- Texas produces more electricity than any other state, generating almost twice as much as Florida, the second-highest electricity-producing state.
- Texas is the largest energy-producing and energy-consuming state in the nation. The industrial sector, including its refineries and petrochemical plants, accounts for half of the energy consumed in the state.
Local Resources
Texas Energy Consumption Estimates & Profile – Good source of Texas data
CenterPoint Energy – Our local electricity and natural gas distributor
Green Building Resource Center – See a demonstration vegetated roof that is irrigated with A/C condensate. Browse the over 50 displays to familiarize yourself with green building technology and materials. Great for field trips. Located at the Houston Permitting Center, 1002 Washington, near Downtown. Contact: 832.394.9050, Steve Stelzer.
Visit the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum and Education Center.
Teachers, attend a Playing with Petroleum Workshop or Knowledge Box GT Workshop with the Oilfield Energy Center. Learn activities from the PE3: Expanding Energy Education guide as well as gain access to their traveling trunks full of supplies to borrow. There is a small fee to cover lunch and supplies, and participants receive six hours of GT credit. Contact Doris Tomas for more information.
Activities/Lessons
ALL GRADE LEVELS
SWITCH Energy Alliance – features a great (free) film about energy across the developing world. The Switch Classroom has plenty of resources for teachers and students about energy.
Take Care of Texas – resources for schools, educators and students to reduce energy consumption
Complete an Energy Audit with resources from the National Wildlife Federation.
Watt Watchers of Texas created classroom activities focused on energy consumption that includes actionable ways to teach students about saving energy at home and school. Visit the Watt-Watchers of Texas activities page, which you can search by theme or grade level. Available in Spanish and TEKS provided.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Test your energy knowledge with the kids quiz from Take Care of Texas.
Engage students in a Student Energy Patrol Program from Watt-Watchers of Texas. Program includes resource pages for students and teachers. User-friendly, TEKS provided and available in Spanish.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Test your energy knowledge with the quiz from Take Care of Texas. And try their Energy Savings Calculator.
NOVA’s Energy Lab for Grades 6 – 12 or NOVA’s Sun Lab for Grades 6 – 12: students actively participate in the scientific process and take part in real-world investigations by visualizing, analyzing, and playing with the same data that scientists use. Lab includes videos & interactives that translate well to digital learning. Available in Spanish, TEKS provided when you make an account.
HIGH SCHOOL
Test your energy knowledge with the quiz from Take Care of Texas.
Driving tips, gas mileage and fuel efficiency information for our future drivers from Take Care of Texas.
NOVA’s Energy Lab for Grades 6 – 12 or NOVA’s Sun Lab for Grades 6 – 12; students actively participate in the scientific process and take part in real-world investigations by visualizing, analyzing, and playing with the same data that scientists use. Lab includes videos & interactives that translate well to digital learning. Available in Spanish, TEKS provided when you make an account.
The Biodiesel Lab is an activity designed to introduce students to the chemistry of pH and acid/base titrations. Biodiesel is a sustainable renewable energy source made from vegetable oil. Students will be guided to explore pH indicators and determine the percent composition of substances like vinegar all with materials they can find at home (great for distance learning). Chemistry TEKS 2, 8, 10.
Videos
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Banner Image Courtesy from Port of Houston/LinkedIn