Umair Gaines
Coal is a fossil fuel that has been used to generate electricity since the Industrial Revolution. Despite being the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, coal still supplies over a third of the world's electricity, particularly in emerging economies with rising electricity demand. However, there is a global shift towards decarbonization and renewable energy sources, leading to a decrease in coal demand in advanced economies. To meet the increasing energy demands of emerging economies, regulatory reforms and new technologies are being implemented to improve the efficiency of coal-based electricity generation. As countries transition to cleaner energy sources, it is essential to address emissions from existing coal-fired power plants and develop strategies for a sustainable phase-out of coal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global coal use | Rebounded strongly post-pandemic, reaching 8.77 billion tonnes in 2024 |
| Coal consumption in China | Expected to level off due to renewable energy expansion and high electricity demand |
| Coal demand in advanced economies | Peaking in most countries and expected to decrease through 2027 |
| Coal demand in emerging economies | Increasing in countries like India, Indonesia, and Vietnam due to rising electricity demand and economic growth |
| Coal's role in electricity generation | Provides just over a third of global electricity generation; being phased out in some countries |
| Environmental impact | Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and contributes to CO2 and methane emissions |
| Efforts to reduce emissions | Repurposing and retrofitting coal plants, carbon capture and storage technologies, pollution control measures |
| Industry and manufacturing | Coal plays a role in iron and steel production, with newer technologies aiming to reduce coal dependence |
| Electricity sector restructuring | Deregulation and utility reforms impact the efficiency of coal and gas generators differently |
| Natural gas vs. coal | The displacement of coal by natural gas depends on emissions, availability, and cost |
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What You'll Learn
Environmental concerns
Coal is a carbon-rich black rock formed deep underground over thousands of years. It has been used to generate electricity since the industrial revolution, with coal plants burning coal to heat water and create steam, which then spins a turbine to produce electricity. However, as coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, its use has severe environmental impacts.
Firstly, burning coal releases carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. This has led to efforts to phase out coal plants by 2040 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. In 2022, CO2 emissions from burning coal for energy accounted for about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions and 55% of emissions from the electric power sector.
Secondly, coal mining operations can significantly impact the landscape, particularly surface mines (also called strip mines) and mountaintop removal mining. These methods involve removing the soil, rock, and even mountaintops above coal deposits, leading to changes in the landscape and potential pollution of streams and rivers, which can harm aquatic wildlife downstream.
Thirdly, coal-fired power plants release airborne toxins and pollutants such as mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals. These emissions contribute to air pollution, which has been linked to asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, and other severe health impacts.
Finally, underground coal mines also pose risks, as the ground above mine tunnels can collapse, and acidic water and methane gas can be released from abandoned mines, contributing to environmental and safety hazards.
To address these environmental concerns, governments and industries are working to develop and deploy cleaner technologies, such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), to reduce emissions and pollution from coal plants. Additionally, policies like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act aim to reduce pollutants released into the air and water.
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Pollution control
Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and is responsible for a large proportion of global electricity generation. As such, there is a critical need to develop and deploy less polluting and more efficient technologies to reduce the environmental and health impacts of coal-fired power generation.
One key method of pollution control is the use of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies. CCUS involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants and either storing or utilising the captured carbon, reducing the amount released into the atmosphere. This technology is crucial for meeting net-zero emissions targets and limiting climate change. As of 2023, only a few large-scale coal plants worldwide are equipped with carbon capture technology, but its deployment is expected to increase in the coming years.
Another important pollution control measure is the use of emissions scrubbers or flue gas desulfurization equipment. These systems reduce the amount of sulfur exiting the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants, thereby lowering sulfur dioxide emissions. Sulfur dioxide is a significant contributor to acid rain and respiratory illnesses. The installation of emissions scrubbers has been linked to a substantial decrease in mortality rates associated with air pollution from coal-fired power plants.
In addition to these technologies, electrostatic precipitators and baghouses are employed to remove particulates and heavy metals from the smoke emitted by power plants. Furthermore, regulations such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act in the United States require industries to reduce pollutants released into the air and water. This includes the reduction of sulfur and other impurities in coal, as well as the implementation of more effective coal cleaning methods after mining.
While these pollution control measures are essential, the long-term solution to reducing the environmental and health impacts of coal-fired electricity generation lies in the transition to cleaner energy sources. Many countries are gradually replacing coal with less carbon-intensive alternatives, and the development and deployment of new technologies are crucial to achieving net-zero emissions targets.
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Decarbonisation
Coal is a fossil fuel that has been used to generate electricity since the Industrial Revolution. Despite being the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, coal still supplies just over a third of global electricity generation. However, there have been efforts to decarbonise the electricity grid and phase out coal usage. This is particularly evident in Britain, where coal used to make up a third of power generation, but now only accounts for a small percentage. The last coal power station in Britain is set to close by October 2024.
The transition to a low-carbon energy system is crucial to mitigate the negative impacts of coal-related carbon emissions on human life and the global climate. To achieve this transition, a pure coal reduction strategy may not be the best approach as it could lead to a systemic energy crisis. Instead, a combination of strategies should be considered. One strategy is to repurpose coal plants to focus on system adequacy or flexibility services. This means that coal plants can reduce their electricity production but remain available during times of high system needs, contributing to the reliability of power systems. Another strategy is to retrofit coal-fired power plants with carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technology. CCUS provides a way to supply low-emission power from existing coal assets and can also provide stability services such as inertia, ramping flexibility, and firm capacity at peak times.
In addition to these strategies, governments and the coal industry also need to develop and deploy less polluting and more efficient technologies. For example, power plants can use electrostatic precipitators or baghouses to remove particulates and heavy metals from the smoke. Additionally, the coal industry has found ways to reduce sulfur and other impurities from coal, as well as more effective methods of cleaning coal after it is mined. Some coal consumers have also started using low-sulfur coal, which helps reduce emissions.
Furthermore, mountaintop removal and valley fill mining have significantly impacted large areas of the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and Kentucky. This type of coal extraction involves removing mountain tops with explosives, altering the landscape and potentially polluting streams with rock and dirt. To address these environmental concerns, U.S. laws require that dust and water runoff from coal mining operations be controlled, and the affected areas must be reclaimed and restored to their original condition.
While coal demand has peaked in most advanced economies and is expected to decrease through 2027, it is still increasing in some emerging economies such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, where electricity demand is rising sharply. However, there are efforts to support decarbonisation in these countries as well. For example, in 2022, two new Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) were announced in Indonesia and Vietnam, with a combined budget of USD 35.5 billion, to support a just transition away from coal power.
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Coal extraction techniques
Mountaintop removal, a form of surface mining, has significantly impacted the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and Kentucky. This technique involves removing mountain tops with explosives to access coal seams, altering the landscape and potentially harming aquatic life downstream with pollutants. Another technique, strip mining, involves removing long strips of the surface above coal seams, with the voids filled by the resulting overburden. Contour strip mining targets coal seams on hills, while area strip mining is used on flat terrain.
Underground mining methods, while less disruptive to the landscape, come with their own set of challenges. The ground above mine tunnels can collapse, and acidic water can drain from abandoned mines. Additionally, methane gas, which occurs in coal deposits, can explode if it becomes concentrated in underground mines and must be vented out for safety.
After coal is extracted, it may be sent to a preparation plant for cleaning and processing to enhance its heating value. This process removes unwanted materials such as rocks, dirt, ash, and sulfur. Coal can then be transported to consumers using conveyors, trams, or trucks for short distances.
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Coal's role in electricity generation
Coal is a fossil fuel that has been used to generate electricity since the Industrial Revolution. In 1882, Thomas Edison's Holborn Viaduct coal plant became the first power station of its kind, burning coal to provide energy to light 1,000 lamps in the City of London.
Coal is burned to heat water, creating steam. This steam spins a turbine to produce electricity. This process is similar to other thermal power stations, such as gas. Throughout the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Britain produced much of its power in this way. Coal generation peaked in the early 1990s, making up over 60% of the energy mix. However, since the electricity system has decarbonised, coal's share of the energy mix has fallen. In 2020, Britain had significant periods of coal-free electricity generation, including a record 68-day run.
Despite the shift towards decarbonisation, coal still supplies just over a third of global electricity generation. This is due to the high demand for electricity in certain regions, as well as the carbon content required by some industrial processes. For example, in 2022, global coal-fired generation reached an all-time high, largely due to high natural gas prices and extreme weather events. Additionally, emerging economies such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam are experiencing a sharp rise in electricity demand, resulting in an increased demand for coal.
To reduce emissions and meet net-zero goals, efforts are being made to phase out unabated coal plants by 2040. This involves repurposing coal plants, retrofitting them with carbon capture technology, and implementing policies to enable the transition to cleaner energy sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Coal-electricity industries are facing a rapid transition with the adoption of cheap wind and solar energy. However, coal still supplies a third of global electricity generation. Some possible downstream industries include:
- Iron and steel production
- Providing electricity to trains
- Heating homes and businesses
Coal electricity industries have been associated with environmental concerns due to the release of harmful greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane. Additionally, coal ash storage and landfills can contaminate groundwater, and coal mining can pollute aquatic wildlife downstream.
Many countries are transitioning away from coal electricity by adopting renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and natural gas. For example, Chile has benefited from abundant solar and wind resources, while the UK has shifted from coal to gas-fired power plants and more recently to renewables.
Phasing out coal electricity can have significant economic and social consequences, especially in coal-dependent regions. It may result in job losses and community impacts, requiring government intervention to ensure a just transition with social safety nets and retraining programs.
Scientists are working on technologies to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants, such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). Power plants are also using flue gas desulfurization equipment (scrubbers) to reduce sulfur emissions and mercury emissions.
