Wiktor Wise
Coal is a fossil fuel that has been used to generate electricity for many years. It is burned in a boiler to produce steam, which then turns turbines to generate electricity. While coal is being phased out in some countries, it still supplies a significant portion of the world's electricity. In 2022, coal accounted for about 19.5% of US electricity generation, and global coal consumption reached 8.77 billion tons in 2024. However, coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, and efforts are being made to replace it with cleaner energy sources. This article will explore the role of coal in electricity generation, its advantages and disadvantages, and the future of coal in a world seeking more sustainable energy solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How coal generates electricity | Coal-fired plants burn coal to produce steam, which then flows into a turbine that spins a generator to create electricity. |
| Coal's role in electricity generation | Coal still supplies just over a third of global electricity generation. |
| Coal's historical role in electricity generation | Coal generation peaked in the early 1990s, making up over 60% of the energy mix before the 'dash for gas'. |
| Coal's future role in electricity generation | In most advanced economies, coal demand has peaked and is expected to decrease through 2027. However, demand for coal is still increasing in some emerging economies with rising electricity demand, such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. |
| Country-specific examples | In Britain, coal-generated electricity has declined, with only 1.6% of electricity generated by coal in the last two years. In contrast, China continues to add new coal-fired power plants, and coal-fired generation increased in the European Union by nearly 7% due to low hydropower and nuclear output. |
| Environmental impact | Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, and its use releases harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. |
| Alternatives to coal | Some countries are transitioning to cleaner energy sources and technologies, such as ammonia, which does not emit CO2 when burned. |
| Challenges in transitioning away from coal | Governments need to address energy security concerns that may arise from coal plant closures and implement regulatory and operational changes to facilitate the transition. |
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What You'll Learn
How coal generates electricity
Coal is one of the leading sources of electricity worldwide. In 2022, coal accounted for about 19.5% of US electricity generation, with about 513 million short tons consumed. Coal-fired plants burn coal to produce steam, which, under high pressure, flows into a turbine, causing it to spin a generator to create electricity. This is known as pulverised coal combustion (PCC).
The process begins by milling the coal into a fine powder, which increases its surface area and allows it to burn more quickly. The powdered coal is then blown into a combustion chamber, where it is burned at high temperatures. This combustion releases heat energy, turning stored solar energy into thermal energy. The hot gases and heat energy produced convert water in tubes lining the boiler into steam.
This high-pressure steam is passed into a turbine containing thousands of propeller-like blades. The steam pushes these blades, causing the turbine shaft to rotate at high speed. A generator is mounted at one end of the turbine shaft and consists of carefully wound wire coils. As these coils rotate rapidly in a strong magnetic field, they generate electricity.
After passing through the turbine, the steam is cooled and condensed back into water. This water is then returned to the boiler to be heated once again, and the process repeats. The electricity generated is transformed into higher voltages for efficient transmission via power line grids. When it reaches homes, it is transformed into safer voltages for domestic use.
In IGCC systems, coal is reacted with oxygen and steam to produce syngas, which is then burnt in a gas turbine to generate electricity. Coal can also be converted into synthetic natural gas (syngas) and used to produce electricity and hydrogen, as seen in North Dakota's Great Plains Synfuels Plant.
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The decline of coal in Britain
Coal has been a major source of electricity worldwide, and in the past, it was the primary source of energy in Britain. However, in recent decades, Britain has witnessed a significant decline in coal usage and production, with a shift towards other energy sources. This transition has had a substantial impact on the country's energy landscape and the affected communities.
Coal mining has a long history in the United Kingdom, dating back to Roman times. It played a crucial role during the Industrial Revolution, and by the end of the 1950s, the industry employed more than 700,000 people. However, the industry experienced a dramatic shrinkage post-World War II, with employment numbers halving within a decade. This decline continued, and by 2019, the number of workers in the coal industry had plummeted to around 699, a 2000-fold decrease from its peak.
The decline in coal production and consumption in Britain can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there was a push for cleaner energy generation, with power stations transitioning to natural gas, biomass, and other renewable sources. This shift was driven by the environmental impact of coal, as it produces carbon dioxide and methane, which are harmful greenhouse gases. The UK government's commitment to reducing carbon emissions further accelerated the move away from coal.
Additionally, the discovery and utilisation of other energy sources, such as natural gas, nuclear power, and renewables, have contributed to coal's decline. Since the 1970s, these alternative energy sources have gradually replaced coal in the country's energy mix. By 2019, coal's share of the primary energy supply had dropped to around 3%, a significant decrease from its peak.
The closure of coal pits and mines further signifies the decline of coal in Britain. Waves of pit closures occurred, with coal consumption slumping to the lowest rate in over a century by the end of the 1980s. The last deep coal mine in the UK, Kellingley Colliery, closed in 2015, marking the end of deep coal mining in the country. This had a profound impact on the affected communities, leaving them economically deprived and struggling to recover.
In recent years, Britain has made significant strides towards phasing out coal from its energy mix. In 2017, the country went a full day without using coal power to generate electricity for the first time, and in 2019, it achieved a full week without coal power. The government announced plans to shut down all coal power plants by 2025, and by 2024, coal's role in electricity generation had become minimal. This transition away from coal has been celebrated as it reduces the negative health and environmental impacts associated with coal usage.
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Coal's role in industrial processes
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock with a high carbon content. It is a fossil fuel formed from the decay of dead plant matter over millions of years. Coal has been used for thousands of years, but its consumption increased with the invention of the steam engine during the Industrial Revolution. In 1700, Britain mined five-sixths of the world's coal, and coal played a significant role in the country's industrial processes in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Coal is primarily used as a fuel for generating electricity, especially in coal-fired power plants. These plants burn coal to produce steam, which turns turbines to generate electricity. In 2022, coal accounted for about 19.5% of electricity generation in the United States. Globally, coal is still the leading source of electricity production, supplying over one-third of the world's electricity in 2020. However, there is a growing trend towards decarbonisation and renewable energy sources, leading to a decline in coal usage in some countries.
In addition to electricity generation, coal plays a crucial role in various industrial processes. The concrete and paper industries burn large amounts of coal to produce heat. The steel industry uses coal indirectly in the form of coal coke to smelt iron ore and produce steel. Coal is also converted into synthetic fuels equivalent to gasoline or diesel through processes like hydrogenation or carbonization. In North Dakota, the Great Plains Synfuels Plant converts coal into synthetic natural gas (syngas), which can be used for electricity generation or sent to consumers through natural gas pipelines.
The usage and demand for coal vary across different regions. China is the largest consumer and producer of coal, followed by India, Indonesia, and other emerging economies. In contrast, advanced economies like Britain have phased out coal, and former mine sites are being repurposed for tourism. The price and demand for coal are influenced by factors such as the availability of alternative feedstocks, economic growth, and the development of renewable energy sources.
While coal has been a significant energy source, there are environmental concerns associated with its use. Coal-fired power plants release carbon dioxide and methane, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts are being made to address emissions and transition towards cleaner energy sources, including the adoption of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and the phase-out of unabated coal plants.
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Coal consumption in the US
The US is currently the third-largest consumer of coal in the world, after China and India. In 2022, the US consumed about 513 million short tons of coal, which was about 9.8% of the country's total energy consumption. This is the lowest percentage share since 1949. The electric power sector has been the primary consumer of coal in the US since 1961, but its coal consumption has been declining in recent years. In 2023, coal consumption in the electric power sector fell to 387.17 million short tons.
While coal consumption in the US is declining, coal still plays a significant role in electricity generation and industrial processes. Many industries, such as concrete, paper, and steel production, use coal and coal byproducts. For example, the steel industry uses coal coke, a processed form of coal, to smelt iron ore and produce steel. Additionally, some businesses and industries have their own coal-fired power plants to generate electricity and heat.
However, there is a growing trend towards decarbonization and the use of cleaner energy sources. The US has set targets to reduce its reliance on coal and other fossil fuels, and states like California have effectively eliminated coal consumption. With the continued development and adoption of new technologies, the US is expected to further reduce its coal consumption and transition towards a greener energy sector.
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Coal's future in advanced economies
Coal is currently the leading source of electricity production globally, with just over a third of the world's electricity generated by coal. However, in advanced economies, coal demand has already peaked and is projected to decline through 2027. This is due to the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources and the push for decarbonization to combat climate change.
In the United States, coal consumption has been declining, with electricity generation from coal accounting for about 19.5% in 2022. This is a significant decrease from previous years, and coal consumption now makes up a smaller percentage of total energy consumption in the country.
In Britain, coal-generated electricity has also been on the decline, with only 1.6% of electricity generated by coal in recent years. The country has had significant periods of coal-free electricity generation and plans to phase out coal completely by October 2024.
While coal is being phased out in advanced economies, it is still crucial in emerging economies with rising electricity demand, such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In these countries, coal is the primary source of electricity generation due to its affordability and accessibility. However, as renewable energy technologies become more accessible and affordable, coal's dominance may begin to wane.
To ensure a secure and sustainable energy future, advanced economies are investing in innovative technologies to manage their electricity systems. For example, Britain is introducing stability pathfinders and inertia measurement tools to manage the stabilising properties that coal and gas generators provide. Additionally, the private sector is exploring alternative fuels, such as ammonia, which does not emit CO2 when burned, to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants.
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Frequently asked questions
Coal still supplies just over a third of global electricity generation. While coal is being phased out in some countries, it remains the leading source of electricity production worldwide.
Coal-fired power plants burn coal to produce steam, which then turns turbines to generate electricity.
The burning of coal releases carbon dioxide and methane, which are harmful greenhouse gases. Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, and its use is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions.
