Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
estimated today (adding in shale gas outside the United
States) or the hydrates turn out to be usable, we do not
have enough gas to continue business as usual. Those who
advocate a switch from coal to gas because of the smaller
greenhouse gas emission for the same energy output
should recognize that this can only be a temporary meas-
ure. A switch to non-emitting fuels is required for gas just
as for oil.
.
World Coal
The coal story is not very different from the oil and gas
stories. The US Energy Information Agency (EIA) esti-
mates the growth in coal demand as
.
% per year to
and then
.
% per year from
to
. The
five years ago was correct, but it
remains to be seen if the rate of growth will drop back
in
.
% projection of
.
Table
shows the reserves and current consumption
for the world
.
s largest coal producers and for the entire
world, and gives in the consumption column the change
from consumption in
'
rst
edition). China and India are increasing their electricity
generation from coal much more rapidly than the rest of
the world because coal is still cheap and available, while
other fuels have become more costly, and the electricity
supply could grow most rapidly based on coal. China is
beginning to have regrets about coal, and the current
(the data used in the
ve-
year economic development plan wants to see its use
reduced. They are building nuclear plants more rapidly
than anywhere else, and are mandating more emission
controls on coal plants. Ironically, Germany, in starting
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