Unfortunately, coal has negative impacts, which leave the world torn between two ends of the spectrum. Engineers would also throw coal into the boilers for creating steam energy for transportation and other purposes. Pro: Efficient . 1 decade ago. Coal plants release more radiation than nuclear plants. It can also be called upon at any time. Anthracite’s dense composition results in high energy efficiency. Burning coal emits mercury and other heavy metals that pose major health risks. Here are the major advantages and disadvantages of coal to consider. For more info on coal for your research check out the The current stockpiles of coal can actually provide the world with more than a century of energy, whereas U.S based coal reserves could last over 400 years. And if these radiations are tried to be brought under control, it would only increase the costs, both capital and operating of the coal-fired power plant. Countries like the United States, India, China and Indonesia produce coal, a sign that from third to first world countries, it is a popular mineral. Finding out about coal. AND don't forget the most important thing we need electricity for - COMPUTERS. 5. COAL Pros • One of the most abundant energy sources • Versatile; can be burned directly, transformed into liquid, gas, or feedstock • Inexpensive compared to other energy sources • Good for recreational use (charcoal for barbequing, drawing) • Can be used to produce ultra-clean fuel One of the greatest advantages of coal fired plants is reliability. Clean coal technologies help to limit the emissions that are released. Mountaintop removal has both advantages and disadvantages. Because this fuel resource not at all expensive, the power that it produces and gets consumed is also comparatively inexpensive. Coal emissions are linked to health concerns. The positives are that they have a large selection to choose from at relatively low prices but the negatives are that most of their items have to be assembled by the buyer. This energy can produce electricity 24/7 without any dependence on the natural source other than the coal. Coal is a great source of energy because of the solar energy that has been preserved in them. This puts a limit on the potential damage to the environment and the atmosphere while maintaining the current infrastructures. In Kentucky, coal supplies 96% of our electricity. Many believe that coal is an outdated, dangerous fuel of the past. I can state 5 cons of coal. List of Advantages of Coal 1. 8. Coal is abundant in the US. Thanks to the clean coal technologies, many of the emissions which are released during the time of the combustion phase of that resource can be captured. Methane's global warming potential is 23 times greater than carbon dioxide. The price of one ton of coal can be around as much as it might cost a family of four to have lunch outside. Kentucky Coal Facts Book, it has lots of information about coal from how it was formed to how it's used to make electricity. There are many advantages and disadvantages of coal energy that must be considered; You will read about 20 interesting pros and cons of coal in this article. Dependency on Fossil Fuels By using coal seam gas, we’re continuing to be dependent on fossil fuels. The average efficiency of a coal power station today is around 31%, while a modern coal fired power plant could have an efficiency around 40%. Also, there is the added danger of having a fire starting in a coal mine. One of the benefits of using coal energy is that it is usually a cost-effective resource of energy. Coal is formed from the remains of vegetation life that grew over 400 million years ago. I can state 5 solutions to the issue. But, one of the biggest disadvantages of using coal energy is its potential damage to the environment and the atmosphere. Because there is such a destructive potential to coal energy, depending on it for the energy can make society go backward instead of ahead. L.I. Image source: theenrgymix.com Coal energy is a non-renewable source of energy used to generate electricity. Coal can be an amazing energy resource. Coal supplies around 30% of the primary energy needs all over the world, generating 40% of electricity. Ash from coal is a disposal and a hazard problem. Coal itself is also used on specialist products, including activated carbon that is used to manufacture water filters, air purifiers and kidney dialysis machines. 3. 1. List of Pros of Coal Energy. Whereas other fossil fuels, at currently existing consumption levels and without any new deposit discoveries, will not last the century, coal gives the people of the world, security in knowing that the present society and the lifestyle have the potential of being around for so many years to come. Benefits of Coal. In a country worried about their GHGE (Green house gas emitions), Coal seam gas mining can have some benifits, however many argue thedisadvantages are far greater and therefore simply not worth the risk. 1. Live Science estimates that some carbon capture and storage technologies can raise the price of energy by up to 75% or more. In order words, present-day coal is nothing but what remains of prehistoric vegetation. In eastern KY where the land is steep and mountainous, surface mining leaves large areas of flat land. Coal and oil are burned to power cars and our electric grid, releasing dangerous CO2 into the environment. 2. In the U.S. about 56% of electricity comes from coal. ... Coal and oil are burned to power cars and our electric grid, releasing dangerous CO2 into the environment. The "stacks" put a lot of sulphur into the air. Answer Save. Various Bi-products of coal mining including arsenic, selenium, sulfur dioxide, and mercury Miners who inhale coal dust can develop a chronic condition which is called Black Lung Disease. At some point of time, our societies must look for alternatives for energy production before this resource runs out. It burns hot and long, producing 13,000 to 15,000 BTU’s per pound. A qualified engineer must develop a mine plan and submit a permit to a state agency that oversees the mining industry. A fact sheet by a company called Oresome Resource outlines some of these: Advantages - Methane gas is a useful energy source… Locally, it provides much-needed jobs and investment capital. Coal is the result of millions of years of vegetation being accumulated and altered. Abundance of Coal Supply The presence of coal in every continent and over seventy nations around the world has enabled the supply almost eternal in nature. Part of that destruction includes the potential pollution of groundwater tables and the removal of the trees. But, with coal energy, it can be accessed whenever there is a power requirement. Coal is considered a fossil fuel that traces back to prehistoric times. With coal, we all know that we have ample energy available through the infrastructure which supports its delivery. We know it but coal is such a cheap energy source that we don’t want to let go of it. The different types of coal include Peat, which is the least rank of coal, and Anthracite coal… Aspirin, soap, dyes and fabrics also make use of coal’s by-products. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are used today as main sources of energy on the planet because they are cheap even if we are aware of the fact that they are polluting the environment. 21+ Pros and Cons of Living in Bay of Plenty, 23+ Pros and Cons of Living in Hawke’s Bay, 24+ Pros and Cons of Living in Canterbury. When looking at the method of carbon capture and storage, the technologies to turn current coal-fired plants in order to clear coal could considerably increase the cost of energy for the individual consumers. Coal combustion even has the strong concept of background radiation, more than that produced by nuclear power. Over 90 percent of the coal that is consumed in the United States is … With that in mind, here are the pros and cons of using coal heat. It is abundant, relatively inexpensive and requires lower capital expenditures to construct a coal-burning power plant. Primary energy source. For many areas out there, coal is just a few cents per kilowatt-hour and this fact makes the energy resource available for almost everyone. I can know 2 current issue related to coal industry. High load factor: Coal offers continuous […] Let’s examine the positive and negative effects of mining. Coal combustion can also produce mercury, nitrous oxide, heavy metals, and other potential environmental dangers. The infrastructure was created around the idea that coal would fuel it. Coal energy has three main advantages when compared to other sources of renewable and nonrenewable energy. Coal for human and environment. With more than 400 years of coal in reserve, the US has excelled at coal mining. The most common type of coal used for home heating is anthracite, the hardest type of coal. Pros: 1. Solar energy is preserved by all living plans thanks to photosynthesis. Cons right now over the world, generating 40 % of the biggest disadvantages of coal... 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