quad, unit of energy equal to 1 quadrillion (1015) British thermal units (BTUs). The quad is a convenient unit for describing national and world energy resources. One quad is also equal to 293 billion kilowatt-hours or, for fuels of average heating values, the energy of 183 million barrels of petroleum, 38.5 million tons of coal, or 980 billion cubic feet of natural gas. World energy consumption in 2010 was estimated at 524 quads.