Coal Vanishing in the Developed World, Not So in Asia
The “war on coal” was not so much a confrontation as it was the result of the inexorable economic pressure placed on energy markets. Strange though it may sound, the demise of coal has very little to do with environmental and health concerns, and everything to do with profit. Whatever; we must take our wins wherever we can get them, and from whatever cause.
This graph shows how dramatically coal is disappearing in the U.S.:
All this would be excellent news were it not for the growth of coal in places like China, India and Indonesia.
Also of concern is the fact that world energy demand is growing at least as fast as the growth of clean energy, thus little progress is actually being made.
Craig,
The priority for Asia and the developing world is to secure industrial”on demand” energy at the economic price to be competitive.
The US and Europe indulged in a short sighted “War against Coal” for ‘ideological’ not economic reasons.
The more long-sighted planners in Asia, saw an opportunity to capitalize on the stupidity of the US and Europe and invest in “clean coal” technology. Most of this technology originated as research from Western institutions but was largely given away to Asia as the result of politically motivated neglect.
The Chinese invested in developing Advanced Ultra Super Critical Coal plants with emission-control technology to scrub sulfur, nitrogen oxide and dust from the exhaust.
The Japanese, South Korean and Indian scientist taken an even bigger step. Instead of just reducing pollution they actively harvest and transform coal emissions into valuable new by-products. These by-products are proving invaluable in reducing emissions in other industries and making coal fired energy even cheaper.
These High-Tech plants are giving Coal a new lease of life. Sadly, the US and Europe are being left behind both economically and environmentally due to stubborn political ideology and short term planning.
In any sensible, objective debate the case for Clean(er) Coal technology is undeniable. That’s why no “leave it in the ground” advocates ever indulge in a fair and rational debate.
In a world where new technologies such as blockchain etc, demand for energy from mega-data centres is gaining strategic as well as commercial/ economic priority,
Favorable locations for these facilities will become increasingly found in Asia where cheap reliable power can be guaranteed.