The World Coal Market in 2007

The World Coal Market in 2007

Coal is making a come-back. A relentless increase in world demand for energy, large price increases for natural gas, growing concern about imported energy and security of supply, indecision about nuclear power are all factors which are contributing to the renaissance of coal. Despite the ‘dash for gas’ in the last two decades, coal remains […]

Other Important Radiative Gases

Other Important Radiative Gases

There are a number of additional gases and particles, resulting in part from human sources, that produce radiative forcing of the Earth’s climate but are not included under the Framework Convention or the Montreal Protocol. In general, these gases are short-lived, they have only indirect climate effects, or there is a fair amount of uncertainty […]

The USA Coal Market

The USA Coal Market

The domestic market in the US is about 17 times the size of the export market. US production is largely directed to the domestic electricity market. Over 40% of US electricity generation is derived from coal, and the majority of coal production is sold to domestic utilities. Reliance on the domestic electricity market is expected […]

Coal in the latter half of the 20th Century

Coal in the latter half of the 20th Century

In the late 1970s a very favourable policy climate for coal led to the restructuring of production and demand patterns globally and the expansion of production and trade in steam coal. Among the policies and conditions leading to this, the IEA has singled out significant steps along the way such as the establishment of Principles […]

Geographical Distribution of International Coal Production and Trade

Geographical Distribution of International Coal Production and Trade

World hard coal production has risen from 1,214.7 Mt in 1946 to an estimated 5,990 Mt in 2009, accounting for the bulk of the increase in total coal production. Brown coal production increased from 836 Mt in 1973 to 913 Mt in 2009. During the last 50 years the composition of key producing nations has […]

Carbon Abatement Technologies

Carbon Abatement Technologies

Unlike SO2 and NOx there is no cleaning technology to reduce carbon emissions, but financial and operational measures can be taken to deal with carbon produced, each making a contribution to the reduction of carbon emissions. There are three broad options: Improvement in combustion efficiencies These efficiencies are possible with relatively simple measures such as […]

The USA Coal Market

The USA Coal Market

The domestic market in the US is about 17 times the size of the export market. US production is largely directed to the domestic electricity market. Over 40% of US electricity generation is derived from coal, and the majority of coal production is sold to domestic utilities. Reliance on the domestic electricity market is expected […]

Coal Reserves in the US

Coal Reserves in the US

Unlike the reserve situation for oil and gas, the country’s coal deposits are virtually inexhaustible. The US has some 29% of the world’s definitely measured and mineable coal reserve: 238 billion tons at the end of 2009 (BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2010). The deposits are located in the Appalachian coalfield in the east, […]

International Coal Markets

International Coal Markets

The international market for coal has developed over the last 30 years to its present form. It remains relatively small compared with oil markets, and accounts for only about 16% of world coal production because, as with gas, coal is expensive to move, especially inland: and, to store. The world industry is still dominated by […]

Shipping the World’s Coal

Shipping the World’s Coal

Shipping costs for coal are influenced by a number of factors, principally the distance between the importer and the exporter and competition for vessels to move other bulk cargos such as iron ore and grain. The port infrastructure and water depth at each end also have an effect on what size of vessels can be […]