Alternative Energy

Coal is still a vital part of the energy landscape — especially in Asia, where demand is strongest — and will continue to be so in 2030.

The fact is, coal offers a number of not insignificant advantages compared with other resources.

Coal is abundant. Proved reserves can supply demand for 150 years at the current consumption rate, and probably much longer taking into account possible and probable reserves that could be brought to light if exploration resumes.

Outside of the United States, China and Australia, which are home to a substantial share of the total, coal reserves are well distributed geographically. Coal resources can be found in some 65 countries worldwide, and more than 85% of the coal produced is consumed in its country of origin.

Lastly, coal is easy to store and cheaper to produce than other fossil fuels.

… provided its environmental impacts are mitigated

New technologies have already cut sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions at the power plants deploying them.

Yet coal combustion still emits much more carbon dioxide than other fossil fuels for the same amount of energy.

Whatever use is being considered — especially power generation and thermochemical conversion to automotive fuels and synfuels — managing coal’s climate impact is the key issue that will determine this energy’s future.

(1) Energy that exists in a naturally occurring form, such as coal, crude oil, sunlight and uranium, and that has not undergone any conversion or transformation process.

(2) Coal used to fire boilers or thermal power plants to generate steam.