10 Serious Pros and Cons of Coal Energy

Aside from other sources of energy for mankind, coal has enabled the production of affordable energy. In fact, it has been a primary choice to build power plants around the world due to its low cost and abundance. Apart from being an important source of energy, it is also an essential raw material for the creation of steel and cement. Likewise, this is also used in other industries, including aluminum, chemical, paper and transportation. Nevertheless, the production of energy using coal has resulted to the emission of carbon.

Accordingly, coal energy is not renewable unlike other sources of energy. Therefore, the supply of coal is on a limited basis and can’t be replaced. For this reason, if a huge amount is continually used, time will come when this supply will be used up. The use of coal energy is essential for electricity production, powering homes and businesses on a daily basis. Of course, due to the affordability of coal, many industrial and manufacturing plants utilize this concept to generate electricity. More so, even with the non-renewable nature of coal, there is a lavish amount of this type of energy source around the world.

Basically, coal mining is hazardous which resulted in the deaths of thousands in countries such as China and India, alternatives can’t ever replace it. Even so, policymakers lack the conviction to modify the strategies in the production of energy from this material. Therefore, there is a high number of advantages compared to the advantages considered in these countries. A number of pros and cons are presented here. It is to address the issues involving coal energy and you can be the judge if this energy source is reliable or not.

List of Pros of Coal Energy

1. Abundance of Coal Supply
The presence of coal in every continent and over seventy nations around the world has enabled the supply almost eternal in nature. In fact, the highest reserves are found in China, India, Russia, and the United States. At the same time, the generation of coal energy can be done 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Compared to renewable energy, which is naturally intermittent, coal energy is a predictable and reliable power source.

2. Investment on Coal Energy Requires Low Capital
Based from statistics, the capital investment of coal-based power supply can only cost from US$1-2 per watt in thermal capacity. In comparison to wind and solar energy, which are relatively higher, coal energy generation is very affordable. In fact, coal mines are likely cheaper to acquire and lower in cost to build.

This cheap cost of energy is the primary option in countries like China and India. For instance in India, with just US$20 per ton, it is possible to acquire coal energy at the lowest cost compared to other locations. Moreover, coal-based electricity is considered the cheapest form of electricity source which cost 2-4 cents per kilowatt-hour.

3. Huge Potential as Opposed to Oil
In comparison to other fossil fuels such as oil and gas, the potential of coal energy is very large. In fact, the global reserve of coal has been estimated to reach around a trillion tons. For this reason, it can be last up to two hundred years at the current rates of consumption.

4. Wide Industrial Base
Since the Industrial Revolution, coal energy has been around even during the development of coal-based steam engine. Nowadays, the industry and technology of thermal power and coal industry have well matured and developed. Because of this development, this has caused coal power to rapidly spread in many places around the world.

5. Industrial Uses of Coal
As oil become a costly and scares source of fuel, coal is now being researched as a good source of transportation fuel. At the same time, liquid plants are now being developed in China and India. Although this is still on its infancy with environmental issues at hand, this has huge potential as claimed by experts.

List of Cons of Coal Energy

1. Emission of Greenhouse Gases
One of the leading concerns that involve coal energy is the emission of greenhouse gasses. In fact, it releases carbon dioxide as sequestered from dead plants and animals millions of years ago. The process transfers carbon to the environment which leads to the effect of global warming.

2. Deaths Due to Coal Mining
Since the discovery of coal, the impact of coal mining has resulted to the deaths of thousands year after year. Nonetheless, the deaths due to coal mining not only occurred in places without safety regulations such as China, but also to developed nations like the U.S. and New Zealand.

3. Destruction of Areas Near Coal Mines
The habitat of animals near open cast coal mining areas has reportedly been destroyed. This has included but not limited to the destruction of scenery in the area. This will led to the pollution of water and air as well as the elimination of trees. Moreover, some fires have also been connected to coal mines in which underground burning are very difficult to identify. Additionally, many people and properties can be lost because it is difficult to extinguish.

4. Human Relocation Due to Coal Mining Destruction
Coal mining can result to the hollowing of soil beneath the earth. Because of this effect, many people and residents have been displaced around the West Bengal area in India. In this case, these mining areas are considered unsafe for dwelling for people and local animals in this location.

5. Harmful Substance Emissions
There are harmful substances that are emitted from thermal plants. These substances include arsenic, carbon monoxide, mercury, selenium, and sulfur dioxide. These substances are capable of polluting the population as well as cause acid rain. Despite the fact that there are countermeasures being followed to alleviate the impact of these harmful substances, these are still very unsafe to humans to live in the area.

Coal energy can have a very positive as well as negative impact to the environment. On one hand, there are lots of ways on how it can contribute to the development of industries all over the world. On the other hand, there are also lots of ways in which it can harm the population and the surroundings as a whole. The rest is up to you to decide on whether or not it should remain as the main source of energy to sustain the planet.