User:Milton Beychok/Sandbox: Difference between revisions

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Coal-fired power plants also emit large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) 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]].<ref name=MIT>{{cite book|author=Dr. James Katzer et al and MIT Coal Energy Study Advisory
The flue gas emissions from conventional coal-fired power plants also include carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) which is the major component of the flue gas produced in the combustion of coal. It is not a pollutant in the traditional sense and it is essential for all plant life on Earth through [[photosynthesis]].
Committee|title=The Future of Coal|edition=|publisher=[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]|year=2007|id=ISBN 0-615-14092-0}} [http://web.mit.edu/coal/The_Future_of_Coal.pdf The Future of Coal]</ref>
 
However, carbon dioxide is a ''[[greenhouse gas]]'' considered to have a major role in ''[[global warming]].  
 
 




<ref name=MIT>{{cite book|author=Dr. James Katzer et al and MIT Coal Energy Study Advisory
Committee|title=The Future of Coal|edition=|publisher=[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]|year=2007|id=ISBN 0-615-14092-0}} [http://web.mit.edu/coal/The_Future_of_Coal.pdf The Future of Coal]</ref>
{| class = "wikitable" align="center"
{| class = "wikitable" align="center"
|+ Energy Statistics for 2005<ref name=EIA1>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/highlights.html International Energy Outlook 2008; Highlights] (Energy Information Administration, U.S. DOE)</ref><ref name=EIA2>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/electricity.html International Energy Outlook 2008: Chapter 5](Energy Information Administration, U.S. DOE)</ref><ref name=BP>[http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/reports_and_publications/statistical_energy_review_2006/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/spreadsheets/statistical_review_full_report_workbook_2006.xls BP Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2006] (British Petroleum website)</ref>  
|+ Energy Statistics for 2005<ref name=EIA1>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/highlights.html International Energy Outlook 2008; Highlights] (Energy Information Administration, U.S. DOE)</ref><ref name=EIA2>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/electricity.html International Energy Outlook 2008: Chapter 5](Energy Information Administration, U.S. DOE)</ref><ref name=BP>[http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/reports_and_publications/statistical_energy_review_2006/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/spreadsheets/statistical_review_full_report_workbook_2006.xls BP Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2006] (British Petroleum website)</ref>  

Revision as of 16:24, 18 December 2008

The flue gas emissions from conventional coal-fired power plants also include carbon dioxide (CO2) which is the major component of the flue gas produced in the combustion of coal. It is not a pollutant in the traditional sense and it is essential for all plant life on Earth through photosynthesis.

However, carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas considered to have a major role in global warming.



[1]

Energy Statistics for 2005[2][3][4]
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

  1. 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
  2. International Energy Outlook 2008; Highlights (Energy Information Administration, U.S. DOE)
  3. International Energy Outlook 2008: Chapter 5(Energy Information Administration, U.S. DOE)
  4. BP Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2006 (British Petroleum website)
  5. Human-Related Sources and Sinks of Carbon Dioxide 2005 figures
  6. 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