Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
U.S. President Barack Obama may be engaging in a “war on coal” with carbon regulations intended to shrink coal’s share of energy production, but worldwide, coal is in its strongest position in decades. In 2013, enough coal was burned to meet 30.1 percent of the world’s energy demands -- its highest share since 1970, according to new data from BP’s Statistical Review of World Energy.
...
In 2013, coal consumption increased by 3 percent, making it the fastest growing fossil fuel. A large reason for its success is its low cost – coal markets have experienced several years of declines in prices. Also, coal is relatively abundant and found around the world.
...
For now, coal remains behind oil in terms of its share of global energy demand, capturing 30.1 percent compared to oil’s 32.9 percent. But that could change. In a December 2012 report, the International Energy Agency predicted that by 2017, coal would become the world’s top source of energy.
Now this is curious to me.
There is a well publicized war on coal in this country, and Europe. However, coal use is up - and is predicted to continue to rise because of it's low cost of production.
Years ago, I remember Al Gore was all into the green energy fad, yet he owned stock in big oil. It would not surprise me if you read the ledger of investments of these green energy leaders - that coal companies are in their investment portfolio.
Whatever that case may be - Obama is not taking out coal. He is making it more expensive to produce - and in the process weeding out some smaller companies so the industry may be easier to control in dealing with a few big players only.
Coal use is up - interested to hear some other thoughts on this.
The problem is that most "green" technologies cannot handle the burden of providing a backbone to the grid. You look at Germany which has the highest solar power capacity in the world and they've been building coal plants at a breakneck speed to replace their nuclear power facilities. Renewables are a good thing but have a substantial amount of limitations. With solar, we have no reliable and affordable storage technology to allow storage of power for night-time, cloudy days...etc. Until that happens, the use of it will be limited at best. You will need a stable fossil fuel or nuclear source that will make sure that everyone's power isn't going on and off every 5 minutes.
Don't let facts get in the way of a good Obama hate fest...
Don't let truth and real discussions get in the way of political fantasy games.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juram
The problem is that most "green" technologies cannot handle the burden of providing a backbone to the grid. You look at Germany which has the highest solar power capacity in the world and they've been building coal plants at a breakneck speed to replace their nuclear power facilities. Renewables are a good thing but have a substantial amount of limitations. With solar, we have no reliable and affordable storage technology to allow storage of power for night-time, cloudy days...etc. Until that happens, the use of it will be limited at best. You will need a stable fossil fuel or nuclear source that will make sure that everyone's power isn't going on and off every 5 minutes.
Good comments. Thanks. You are on the money with green energy technology not being able to hold up under the continuing growing demand for more and more energy.
Finn - You know this also. I hold you to a higher standard - at least deal with the truth here.
I know what you are talking about, but the "War on Coal" is a bumper sticker line, and that is a fact. Politicians from both sides love to associate the word "War" to their political opponents, because it makes the opponents look like an aggressor assaulting innocent victims, while making them look like the defenders of the innocent. It does not work on me. There is no war on coal, war on women, war on the poor, war on the environment etc
Coal has different uses other than to produce electricity it is vital in the steel making process and we have the best in the world.I suggest reading about Norfolk Southern railroads coal docks in Norfolk Virginia Lamberts Point and who buys our coal overseas.The US has gone to great lengths to clean our discharge of CO2 where China,India have not...go b!t*h to them polluters !
Finn - You know this also. I hold you to a higher standard - at least deal with the truth here.
There is no such thing as a war on coal.
Sorry.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
