World coal outlook
The contribution of coal to world energy needs, particularly in the western world, may appear to be an engima, given the size of known reserves and the economic, social, and political difficulties that were created by the oil events of 1973 to 74. The increased emphasis on coal brought into sharp focus the conflict between energy and environmental policies. The 1974 oil price increases overcame the inherently higher costs of transporting, storing and burning coal. This economic advantage was substantially moderated by the added costs associated with using it in a manner consistent with environmental legislation and regulations. The net effect was an erosion of the initial high interest in coal. In 1979, the renewed instability and dramatic price increases in world oil markets produced a major change in the social and economic attractiveness of coal. Society is now reexamining the trade-offs it is willing to accept between the environment and economic activity. It is more important, however, that the price increases in 1979 and expectations for continued instability in world oil markets have made the environmentally acceptable use of coal affordable. Over the long term, environmental issues aside, the cost advantage for coal is expected to widen, as oil and natural gas prices escalate at rates greater than those anticipated for coal. It is possible that the gap between coal and the alternatives will be smaller as the emphasis on further environmental improvements accelerates in response to increased coal use. The overall relative advantage is expected to remain with coal, however, thus leading to its increased replacement of oil or natural gas. Further supporting the outlook for the increased consumption of coal is the growing level of concern surrounding the nuclear option for electric power generation.
- OSTI ID:
- 5815431
- Journal Information:
- Coal Situat.; (United States), Vol. 1:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Gasification trends
Outlook and Challenges for Chinese Coal
Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COAL
FORECASTING
GLOBAL ASPECTS
TRADE
COAL INDUSTRY
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
COMBUSTION
COMPETITION
ENERGY DEMAND
LEGISLATION
MARKET
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
USA
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DEMAND
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INDUSTRY
MATERIALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
294001* - Energy Planning & Policy- Coal
012000 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Mining