Nonrenewable Energy - COAL

Ch. 15

Pros and Cons of CoalCoal - – Solid– Formed in several stages from plants that

died 300-400 mya– Produces ~40% of world’s energy

Coal burned to heat water that spins turbines to make electricity

Biggest Users:– China – USA– India

Coal…lots but its dirty USGS estimates our supply could last 200 - 1,100 more yearsU.S. has 25% of the world’s coalRussia 15% India 13% Australia 8% South Africa 7%

dirrrrrrtyEnvironmental costs of burning coal– Severe air pollution

• Sulfur released as SO2

• Large amount of soot

• CO2

• Trace amounts of Hg and radioactive materials

Nice skydude

I know! It’s hecka

messed up!

And of course…

The environmental effects of burning coal are not included in the actual cost of coalSolution: tax power plants for each unit of CO2 produced

Coal and ChinaBurns 1/3 the coal produced worldwide70% of it’s energy from coal

– US - uses 25% of the world’s coal, gets 49% of it’s energy from coal

Keeps adding more coal burning power plants– On average 3/week

At its current rate, its coal reserves will only last 10-15 years

Coal and ChinaChina makes the mostSO2 pollution H2SO4 & smogCO2 emissions climate change

In 5-10 days, their air pollution reaches us in western USA (specifically, Los Angeles)

Creates ozone pollution for usToxic mercury from burning coal in China found in our fish in the west

A hazy day in CA’s Central Valley

China…

Has 20 of the world’s most polluted cities650,000 to 700,000 deaths/year due to pollution

Pros and Cons of Coal

Pros– Lots of it– Good net energy– Jobs

Pros and Cons of CoalCons– The BIGGEST source of air

pollution• Accounts for at least ¼ of all

CO2 emissions– Mining coal has severe

impact on land (strip mining, subsurface mining), water pollution (from overburden and spoils) and worker health

– Public opinion is anti-coal more and more

Source of CO2 emissions

CO2 Emissions Per Unit of Electrical Energy Produced for Energy Sources

Best? Worst?Is CO2 the whole picture?

We can covert coal into synthetic natural gas

Solid coal into synthetic natural gas (SNG) by coal gasification Solid coal into synthetic liquid gasoline or methanol by coal liquefaction

Synthetic Fuels (synfuels)

Requires mining 50% more coalProduction and burning adds 50% more CO2 to atmosphere

Low net energy

Nonrenewable Energy - NATURAL GAS

What is Natural Gas?–mostly methane

(CH4)–Some propane

and butane

Propane and butane liquefied and stored in pressurized tanks as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)

Video clip

Russia has largest reserves, then Iran and Qatar.

Natural gas is used to:– Heat homes– Heat water– Produce electricity– Propel vehicles

Natural gas is:– Cleaner burning than oil,

coal– Cheaper to purify and

provide to customers• Not easy to move

overseas though

Earthquakes magnitude 3 or higher in Oklahoma

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geXcRQpvOmE

Reserves should last

62-125 years

Will natural gas be the bridge fuel helping us make the transition to a more sustainable energy future?

Fracking Videos

Fracking 1. Fracking Explained

• Facts:

2. Facts about Fracking• Facts:

http://electrocity.co.nz/ • Build a city• Try to build the “best” city

– Largest population– Wealthiest– High Score