Navigating the world of energy can be tricky. That's why the Standard International Energy Classification (SIEC) provides a clear map, grouping energy products into ten key categories.
The smoky grandfather
The OG of energy, this dark, crumbly rock has been fueling civilizations for centuries. Primarily used for electricity grids and steel mills, it's a global workhorse ranked by its carbon density.
Nature's damp firestarter
Partially decomposed plant matter found in bogs. It's used for heating homes where forests are scarce and is a critical carbon sponge for the planet.
The tough stuff
These are petroleum deposits hidden in rock and sand. They require intensive extraction, but the oil yields everything from gasoline to jet fuel.
The cleanest of the fossils
A gas primarily composed of methane, it burns cleaner than coal or oil. It's a go-to for heating homes and generating electricity, now easily shipped as LNG.
The liquid lifeline
Energy's versatile Swiss Army knife, fueling cars, planes, and ships. With 100 million barrels consumed daily in 2023, it's still the dominant force in global transportation.
Grown to burn
Renewable energy sourced from living plants or their leftovers. This category includes ethanol from corn and biodiesel from vegetable oil, offering a cleaner but land-intensive alternative.
Trash with a second life
The Cinderella story of energy, where old trash is converted into heat or electricity through incineration and other technologies, reducing landfill waste.
The shape-shifter
Not a primary source, but a flexible form of energy created by transforming other types like wind, solar, or nuclear. It's the essential backbone of modern clean energy transitions.
Energy you can feel
Often a byproduct of other processes, heat can also be purpose-built, for example, to warm entire neighborhoods through district heating. It's an efficient way to recycle excess energy.
Power in tiny pellets
Fuels like uranium create immense energy from a small amount of material, producing zero carbon dioxide emissions. It's a powerful source, though waste and safety remain key debates.