Essential Technology for Clean Coal Energy
As one of the principle fossil fuels found on earth, coal has been an abundant source of energy for centuries. As we have evolved as humans, so has our application of technology to make coal a continuously viable resource. To ensure the growing global demand for electricity will be met in the next decades, coal must continue to be an integral part of our energy future.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates there are nearly one trillion tons of recoverable coal on earth, over one quarter of which is found in the United States. In the U.S., coal is found in 38 states and nearly 1/8 of the country lies over a coal bed. Though estimates vary, coal could provide for the world’s energy needs for the next 200 years.
Coal is our nation’s largest source of electricity, producing about half of our energy needs. In 2009, the United States consumed just over one billion tons of coal, and about 90 percent of it was used for electricity.
Texas has the nation’s ninth largest coal reserves, based on available data. The state produces mostly lignite coal, but it does have a large pocket of bituminous coal as well. However, it is currently the nation’s largest coal consumer, using approximately 100 million tons per year.
“In order to replace coal as a source of power generation, any of the following would be required:
- an additional 250 nuclear reactors;
- an additional 17 trillion cubic feet of natural gas; or
- 500 hydropower facilities the size of the Hoover Dam.”
“Energy Realities Facing the United States,” Dr. Frank Clemente, Senior Professor of Social Science & Energy Policy, Penn State University, from a presentation given to the Texas Legislature Carbon Management Caucus (27 Jan. 2009). Sources: Platt’s Proprietary Database 2008; I.E.A., 2007; E.I.A. 2008. (From TPPF’s publication: “Clean Coal: A Wise Path Forward,” Feb. 2009)
