Coal Production and Consumption in the United States

Adam Shaw

ME 449

February 11, 2002

History of Coal• Documented use as far back as

1100 BCE but not widely used until Middle Ages in Europe

• First used in United States around 1800, but not widely consumed until 1885– wood was major energy Source

• Rapid growth in coal use during industrial Revolution.– Leading energy source in U.S.

from 1885-1951 and from 1984-present, one third of all energy produced in U.S.

Changing Trends in Coal Production

• More mining in western United States

– Lower sulfur content than Appalachian coal

• Trend towards surface mines rather than underground mines

– Much more productive and efficient

– Average price 47% lower in 1999 than 1949

Changing Trends in Coal Production Efficiency

• Due to more surface mining and improved technology, mining efficiency has risen over 250% since 1878

• Has allowed U.S, to produce more than is consumed

– Coal has become a major export.

• The U.S. has not been able to meet consumption demands with other fossil fuel products.

Changes in Coal Consumption

• Large shift from industry and transportation sectors (railroads) to electric production.

• Electricity production now accounts for 92% of all coal consumption

Decline in Coal Consumption in the Residential, Commercial, and Industrial

sectors• Since 1950, coal

consumption in the residential/commercial and industrial sectors has been decreasing steadily

• Replaced by electricity, natural gas, and petroleum

Residential/Commercial

Industrial

Rise in Coal Consumption for Electricity Production

• Nonutility power producers include “qualifying cogenerators, qualifying small power producers, and other nonutility generators (including independent power producers) without a designated franchised service area”

– Account for roughly 25% of electricity production.

Electric Utility Producers

Nonutility Power Producers

Electric Power Sector Consumption of Coal

Environmental Effects

• Coal CO2 emissions from electric utilities account for approximately one-third of total CO2 emissions from U.S. fuel sources.

• Significant Sulfur emissions depending on amount of coal burned and sulfur concentrations in the coal.

• Trend towards lower Sulfur emissions in urban areas and much higher in rural areas

Future Trends of Coal Consumption

• World Coal Consumption is expected to continue to Increase.

• Many new technologies to lessen environmental impact.

• Coal is expected to account for a lower percentage of world’s energy production, but energy needs will increase significantly

Overview

• Coal has become the major energy source for electricity production and still serves as a significant, although decreasing, source in the industrial sector.

• New technology and mining practices have led to much higher production efficiency, resulting in lower prices and increased exports.

• Coal consumption is expected to continue to rise, despite concerns over a limited supply in the future and the environmental impact, specifically emissions of sulfur and CO2