Coal is defined as "a black or
brownish black solid combustible substance formed by the
partial decomposition of vegetable matter without free
access of air and under the influence of moisture and
often increased pressure and temperature." Coal can be
burned as fuel or gasified to create a synthesis gas
(syngas) that can then be used as a feedstock for the production of
chemicals, fertilizer, and/or electric power. {
Coal Types }
The United States has enormous coal "resources" and
"recoverable reserves." {
Map
Terms Defined }
The most reliable information about coal is published by the Energy
Information Administration (EIA). The most recent
figures available from the EIA, show that America's
estimated recoverable reserves of coal --
Stand at 275 billion tons, an
amount that is greater than any other nation in the
world. {
Chart
}
Are capable of meeting domestic demand for
more than 250 years at current rates of consumption.
America's coal is used primarily for the production of
electricity. According to the EIA, in 2001 --
There were 315,000 Megawatts (net) of coal-based
electrical generating capacity in the United States.
This represented approximately
37% of the total installed capacity.
However, coal plants accounted for 52% of
the electricity generated since these facilities and
nuclear plants are normally operated as "baseload"
generators (the generating equipment normally operates
on an around-the-clock basis).
Some 965 million tons of coal were consumed
for the generation of electricity. This amounted to 86%
of total U.S. coal production.
The EIA also makes energy
production and consumption estimates for future years.
Under these projections, domestic coal consumption is
projected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.1% -
1.5% through 2025.
Many
large countries contain significant
proven reserves of coal. While data quality varies
widely,
the countries with the greatest estimated recoverable
reserves of coal are --
Coal is widely used around the globe for the generation
of electricity and -- to a lesser but growing degree -- for
the production of chemicals and fertilizer. Data
compiled and distributed by the EIA shows that worldwide
coal consumption --
Was estimated at 5.3 billion tons in 2001.
Is projected to increase by 2.2 billion
tons per year over the next 25 years. This translates to
a 1.5% average annual rate of growth (on a tonnage
basis).
However, this relatively slow average
annual grow rate masks substantial projected increases
within certain large countries with fast growing
economies. For example --
In China’s electricity sector, coal use is
projected to grow by 4.2% a year through 2025.
Similarly, coal use for electricity generation in India
is projected to rise by 2.1% annually over the next
quarter century.
