User:Milton Beychok/Sandbox
Coal-fired power plants also emit large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) which is not a pollutant in the traditional sense. In fact, it is essential for all plant life on Earth through photosynthesis. However, it is a greenhouse gas considered to have a major role in so-called global warming.[1]
| Energy Supply Sources | TW | MWh | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal-based | 4.0 | 35×109 | 26.9 |
| Gas, oil, nuclear, hydro,other | 10.8 | 95×109 | 73.1 |
| Total energy supply sources | 14.8 | 130×109 | 100.0 |
| Electricity generation component of total energy supply sources | |||
| Total electricity generation | 2.05 | 18×109 | 13.9 |
| Coal-fired electricity generation | 0.80 | 7×109 | 5.4 |
Carbon dioxide
According to a 2005 report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), coal-fired power plants produce more carbon dioxide per unit of electricity generated than any other type of power plant. Electricity generation is responsible for 41% of U.S. manmade carbon dioxide emissions.[5] Research has indicated that increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is correlated with a rise in mean global temperature, also known as global warming.[6] The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that, to avoid climate change impacts, Annexe 1 (developed) countries must reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by between 25 and 40% by 2020. The technology for carbon capture and storage of emissions from coal fired power stations is not expected to be available on a economically viable commercial scale by 2020.Template:Fact
- ↑ Dr. James Katzer et al and MIT Coal Energy Study Advisory Committee (2007). The Future of Coal. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ISBN 0-615-14092-0. The Future of Coal
- ↑ International Energy Outlook 2008; Highlights (Energy Information Administration, U.S. DOE)
- ↑ International Energy Outlook 2008: Chapter 5(Energy Information Administration, U.S. DOE)
- ↑ BP Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2006 (British Petroleum website)
- ↑ Human-Related Sources and Sinks of Carbon Dioxide 2005 figures
- ↑ Pacala, S. and Socolow, R. (2004-08-13), "Stabilization wedges: solving the climate problem for the next 50 years with current technologies", Science 305 (5686): 968–972, DOI:10.1126/science.1100103