Coal Demand

Atomic code: C (carbon)

Coal is the world's most abundant fossil fuel resource. It is a complex mixture of organic chemical substances containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in chemical combination, together with smaller amounts of nitrogen and sulphur. There are two parallel and interdependent coal markets, steam coal used for power generation, and coking or metallurgical coal used in the manufacture of iron and steel. Three quarters of the coal produced is converted into electricity in coal-fired generating plants.

Coal produces more emissions and greenhouse gases than the other fossil fuels. This issue cannot be ducked but the problem can be solved. The future of coal is dependent on the development and exploitation of technologies to extract it more efficiently, to reduce emissions and capture carbon. These technologies are already available or in trial and within ten years it is hoped that clean coal technology will be able to reduce emissions to near zero making coal environmentally safe.

Price:

Coal is the one fuel source for electric generation that is abundant and cheap. Coal's usage is anticipated to go up because of rising energy demand, generally speaking.

World Resources:

The world has coal reserves for 204 years, oil for 41 years and gas for 61 years. The leading coal producing companies are China, USA, India, Australia, South Africa, Germany, Poland, Russia, Colombia, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Venezuela and Canada.