Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, energy consumption per person in the U.S. has crept ahead at 3% per year.

FORBES: Steel Versus Silicon

The demand for water originates from four main sources, namely, agriculture, production of energy, industrial uses and human consumption.

UNESCO: World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)

China's industrial sector accounts for 70% of total energy consumption.

FORBES: China's Power Problem

Turkmenistan also has a population of only about 5 million, and little real domestic industrial activity, which means that the domestic demand for this energy is quite low, at a consumption rate of 21 bcm in 2009.

FORBES: Turkmenistan: Desperate for a Gas Market

Industrial and commercial concerns have more to gain than homeowners, who have less financial incentive to monitor their daily energy consumption.

FORBES: Smart Grid May be Shortest Route to Obama's Green Energy Goals