During the 17th century, coal energy shifted the entire economy by becoming the primary source of fuel for household applications and for industrial applications. As coal is a non-renewable energy source it is present in a limited amount and therefore, we cannot consume it entirely. In this article, we will take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of coal energy.
What is Coal Energy?
Coal is a black-in-color rock that is combustible. After the burning of fossil fuels (i.e. coal) for the production of steam and heat, coal energy is generated. The produced steam then rotates turbine generators that generate electricity. Coal is obtained by mining from the surface of the earth.
Now, it is time to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of coal energy:
Advantages of Coal Energy:
Affordable:
Coal is considered as the cheapest source of energy and it by far the most affordable source than the natural gas and oil. Also, it is easily available. And that is why coal energy is considered as the most important source of energy in our daily life. As far as the stability is considered then, it is also the most stable form of energy.
Industrialization:
Coal energy creates many jobs in the local areas where there is the storage of coal. So, in that local area employment rate increases and many industries try to set up in that area which gives rise to industrialization.
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Large Production of Electricity:
As per the recent statistics, coal energy produces 56% of the total electricity in the United States. The United States is one of the largest countries in the world where there is large coal storage is available. Other countries that have major storage of coal are India, China, and Russia.
Independent:
Coal energy is independent of the water or the wind. This energy can produce electricity 24/7 without any dependence on the natural source other than the coal. So, in the developing countries electricity can be produced easily without much expense and abundantly. Also, coal energy is independent of climatic conditions.
Scalable:
The electric power that can be obtained from the coal energy can be easily scalable. That means that we can have 20 MW or 20,000 MW coal power plant for electricity generation. Also, due to the higher calorific value of the coal, it easily burns producing more coal energy.
The above are important pros of coal energy. Now, let us move forward and discuss the cons of coal energy,
Disadvantages of Coal Energy:
Non-renewable Sources of Energy:
Coal is a non-renewable source of energy that means that we cannot use the coal energy completely. If we continued to use the coal energy then, at some point its presence on the earth will be finished entirely. So, it is very challenging to not use this inexpensive source of energy beyond a certain limit.
Deforestation:
As coal is present inside the mines, we have to dig mines that result in deforestation. Also, animals in that particular area may have to relocate and thus, there is also danger to the animals.
Dangerous to Health:
After the burning of coal, radiation is produced that is harmful to health. If the labours working in the mines do not take proper safety precautions then, they may suffer from health issues. As carbon dioxide is emitted from the burning of coal, global warming is also increasing. Sometimes, coal combustion also emits sulphur oxide, nitrous oxide, and other hazardous gases.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Coal Energy in Tabular Form
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Cheapest and affordable | Non-renewable source of energy |
| Give rise to industrialization by producing job opportunities | Leads to deforestation |
| Large production of electricity | Dangerous to health |
| It is an independent source of energy | |
| It can be easily scaleable |
Conclusion
Here, the bottom line is that coal energy is the most important source of energy that can be used for any type of application but at the same time it is limited. Now, the research is going on to find other alternatives to coal energy and to reduce the impact of its disadvantages. Thanks for reading this article.
