Coal is a fundamental fossil fuel that underpins numerous facets of modern life, ranging from electricity generation to heavy industrial processes and the production of essential materials. Its impact is far-reaching, directly and indirectly supporting various sectors globally.
Key Dependencies on Coal
The reliance on coal manifests in several critical areas, influencing our daily lives and global economies.
Electricity Generation
A significant portion of the world's electricity is generated using coal. In the United States, for instance, coal-fired generation represents 22 percent of the electricity we use. This means a substantial part of our power grid, and consequently, everything powered by electricity, depends on coal.
- Homes and Businesses: Lighting, heating, cooling, appliances, computers, and telecommunications all rely on a stable electricity supply, much of which is coal-derived in many regions.
- Infrastructure: Traffic lights, public transportation systems (like electric trains and subways), and water treatment plants are powered by electricity, making them indirectly dependent on coal.
- Data Centers: The vast infrastructure supporting the internet and digital services consumes immense amounts of electricity, some of which originates from coal power plants.
For more information on energy sources, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration website.
Industrial Processes
Beyond electricity, coal is a vital raw material and energy source for various industrial applications. In the U.S., industry represents about 8 percent of coal consumption.
Iron and Steel Production
One of the most critical industrial uses of coal is in the production of iron and steel. Three percent of coal consumption is specifically used to produce coke for iron and steel production. Coke, a high-carbon fuel, acts as both a fuel and a reducing agent in blast furnaces, essential for transforming iron ore into iron.
- Construction: Buildings, bridges, and infrastructure heavily rely on steel.
- Manufacturing: Vehicles, machinery, appliances, and countless consumer goods are made from steel.
- Tools and Equipment: Industrial and agricultural tools, medical equipment, and defense technologies often incorporate steel.
Learn more about steel production at the World Steel Association website.
Cement Production
Coal is widely used as a fuel in rotary kilns for producing cement, a key component of concrete. The high temperatures required for cement clinker production are often achieved by burning coal.
- Construction: Roads, dams, foundations, and residential and commercial buildings depend on cement.
Chemical Industry
Coal serves as a feedstock for various chemical products, though this use has declined in many developed nations compared to other sources like natural gas and oil.
- Fertilizers: Coal can be gasified to produce ammonia, a key ingredient in nitrogenous fertilizers vital for agriculture.
- Plastics and Synthetic Fibers: Historically, coal was a significant source for chemicals used in producing plastics, synthetic rubber, and fibers like nylon.
- Pharmaceuticals and Dyes: Coal tar, a byproduct of coke production, can be processed to yield chemicals used in medicines, dyes, and other specialty products.
Heating
While less common in residential settings in many developed countries today, coal is still used for heating in various parts of the world, particularly for industrial and commercial boilers, and sometimes for domestic heating.
Direct and Indirect Dependencies
The vast array of items and services that depend on coal can be categorized into direct and indirect dependencies:
| Dependency Type | Examples PSHISTORY_INITIAL_PROMPT_VERSION_TITLE_V1
