An energy crisis is any significant bottleneck in the supply of energy resources to an economy.

In
literature, it often refers to one of the energy sources used at a certain time and place, in particular
those that supply national electricity grids or those used as fuel in Industrial development and
population growth have led to a surge in the global demand for energy in recent years. In the 2000s,
this new demand — together with Middle East tension, the falling value of the U.S. dollar, dwindling
oil reserves, concerns over peak oil, and oil price speculation — triggered the 2000s energy crisis,
which saw the price of oil reach an all-time high of $147.30 a barrel in 2008.

An electricity shortage is felt most acutely in heating, cooking, and water supply. Therefore, a

sustained energy crisis may become a humanitarian crisis.
If an energy shortage is prolonged a crisis management phase is enforced by authorities. Energy
audits may be conducted to monitor usage. Various curfews with the intention of increasing energy
conservation may be initiated to reduce consumption. For example, to conserve power during the
Central Asia energy crisis, authorities in Tajikistan ordered bars and cafes to operate by
candlelight."Crisis Looms as Bitter Cold, Blackouts Hit Tajikistan". NPR. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
In the worst kind of energy crisis energy rationing and fuel rationing may be incurred. Panic
buying may beset outlets as awareness of shortages spread. Facilities close down to save on
heating oil; and factories cut production and lay off workers. The risk of stagflation increases.

Coal, gas, and oil are the fossil fuels responsible for most of the
world's electricity and energy dem

ands. Coal, which is readily available in most of the developing

and developed world, has been used as a major source of fuel
even in ancient human civilizations. It also found its use in historic
steam engines at the dawn of the industrial revolution.

Coal fired Plants: Pros and

Cons
Energy & Power Plants / By jaychris / Mechanical Engineering
Coal, gas, and oil are the fossil fuels responsible for most of the
world's electricity and energy demands. Coal, which is readily
available in most of the developing and developed world, has
been used as a major source of fuel even in ancient human
civilizations. It also found its use in historic steam engines at the
dawn of the industrial revolution.

Advantages of Coal as Power

Plant Fuel
Today, advances in technology have allowed coal to improve
living conditions with its current role in meeting man’s fuel needs.
Coal has been used extensively in power generation where better
technology is employed to ensure that there is a balance between
ecology and economics in producing sustainable and affordable
energy. But, is coal really the answer
to affordable and sustainable energy? To find answers for this
question, it is best to learn about the advantages- and
disadvantages- of coal fired plants. Some of its advantages
include reliability, affordability, abundance, known technologies,
safety, and efficiency.
Reliability. One of the greatest advantages of coal fired plants is
reliability. Coal’s ability to supply power during peak power
demand either as base power or as off-peak power is greatly
valued as a power plant fuel. It is with this fact that advanced
pulverized coal fired power plants are designed to support the
grid system in avoiding blackouts.
Affordability. Energy produced from coal fired plants is cheaper
and more affordable than other energy sources. Since coal is
abundant, it is definitely cheap to produce power using this fuel.
Moreover, it is not expensive to extract and mine from coal
deposits. Consequently, its price remains low compared to other
fuel and energy sources.

Abundance. There are approximately over 300 years of economic

coal deposits still accessible. With this great amount of coal
available for use, coal fired plants can be continuously fueled in
many years to come.
Known technologies. The production and use of coal as a fuel
are well understood, and the technology required in producing it
is constantly advancing. Moreover, coal-mining techniques are
continuously enhanced to ensure that there is a constant supply
of coal for the production of power and energy.

Safety. Generally, coal fired plants are considered safer than

nuclear power plants. A coal power plant's failure is certainly not
likely to cause catastrophic events such as a nuclear meltdown
would. Additionally, the welfare and productivity of coal industry
employees has greatly improved over the years. In fact, injuries,
time lost, and fatalities have decreased significantly in the past
years.

Disadvantages of Coal-Fired
Power Plants
On the other hand, there are also some significant disadvantages
of coal fired plants including Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions,
mining destruction, generation of millions of tons of waste, and
emission of harmful substances.

Greenhouse gas emissions. It cannot be denied that coal leaves

behind harmful byproducts upon combustion. These byproducts
cause a lot of pollution and contribute to global warming. The
increased carbon emissions brought about by coal fired plants has
led to further global warming which results in climate changes.

Mining destruction. Mining of coal not only results in the

destruction of habitat and scenery, but it also displaces humans as
well. In many countries where coal is actively mined, many people
are displaced in huge numbers due to the pitting of the earth
brought about by underground mining. Places near coal mines
are unsafe for human habitation as the land could cave in at
anytime.
Generation of millions of tons of waste. Millions of tons of
waste products which can no longer be reused are generated
from coal fired plants. Aside from the fact that these waste
products contribute to waste disposal problems, these also
contain harmful substances.

Coal fired Plants: Pros and

Cons
Energy & Power Plants / By jaychris / Mechanical Engineering
Coal, gas, and oil are the fossil fuels responsible for most of the
world's electricity and energy demands. Coal, which is readily
available in most of the developing and developed world, has
been used as a major source of fuel even in ancient human
civilizations. It also found its use in historic steam engines at the
dawn of the industrial revolution.

Advantages of Coal as Power

Plant Fuel
Today, advances in technology have allowed coal to improve
living conditions with its current role in meeting man’s fuel needs.
Coal has been used extensively in power generation where better
technology is employed to ensure that there is a balance between
ecology and economics in producing sustainable and affordable
energy. But, is coal really the answer
to affordable and sustainable energy? To find answers for this
question, it is best to learn about the advantages- and
disadvantages- of coal fired plants. Some of its advantages
include reliability, affordability, abundance, known technologies,
safety, and efficiency.
Reliability. One of the greatest advantages of coal fired plants is
reliability. Coal’s ability to supply power during peak power
demand either as base power or as off-peak power is greatly
valued as a power plant fuel. It is with this fact that advanced
pulverized coal fired power plants are designed to support the
grid system in avoiding blackouts.
 Affordability. Energy produced from coal fired plants is cheaper
and more affordable than other energy sources. Since coal is
abundant, it is definitely cheap to produce power using this fuel.
Moreover, it is not expensive to extract and mine from coal
deposits. Consequently, its price remains low compared to other
fuel and energy sources.
Abundance. There are approximately over 300 years of economic
coal deposits still accessible. With this great amount of coal
available for use, coal fired plants can be continuously fueled in
many years to come.
Known technologies. The production and use of coal as a fuel
are well understood, and the technology required in producing it
is constantly advancing. Moreover, coal-mining techniques are
continuously enhanced to ensure that there is a constant supply
of coal for the production of power and energy.
Safety. Generally, coal fired plants are considered safer than
nuclear power plants. A coal power plant's failure is certainly not
likely to cause catastrophic events such as a nuclear meltdown
would. Additionally, the welfare and productivity of coal industry
employees has greatly improved over the years. In fact, injuries,
time lost, and fatalities have decreased significantly in the past
years.
Sponsored Content


Types of Cooling Towers - Natural Draft and Mechanical DraftBright Hub Engineering


[Photos] School Expels Teen Over Outfit, Regrets It When They See Who Dad IsCelebsPulse


 [Photos] Couple Confused When Photo Goes Viral, Till They See The CommentsCelebsPulse


If You Still Have Any Of These 20 VHS Tapes, You Just Made A Ton Of MoneyUnpuzzleFinance


Work From Home Jobs in the USA May Pay More Than You ThinkOnline Jobs | Search Ads


[Pics] The Richest Rockstar Of All Time Is Not Who You ThoughtUnpuzzleFinance

Recommended by
Fig.1. 2009 US Electricity
Source Generation
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuel_power_station
Disadvantages of Coal-Fired
Power Plants
On the other hand, there are also some significant disadvantages
of coal fired plants including Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions,
mining destruction, generation of millions of tons of waste, and
emission of harmful substances.

Greenhouse gas emissions. It cannot be denied that coal leaves

behind harmful byproducts upon combustion. These byproducts
cause a lot of pollution and contribute to global warming. The
increased carbon emissions brought about by coal fired plants has
led to further global warming which results in climate changes.
Mining destruction. Mining of coal not only results in the
destruction of habitat and scenery, but it also displaces humans as
well. In many countries where coal is actively mined, many people
are displaced in huge numbers due to the pitting of the earth
brought about by underground mining. Places near coal mines
are unsafe for human habitation as the land could cave in at
anytime.
Generation of millions of tons of waste. Millions of tons of
waste products which can no longer be reused are generated
from coal fired plants. Aside from the fact that these waste
products contribute to waste disposal problems, these also
contain harmful substances.
Emission of harmful substances. Thermal plants like coal fired
plants emit harmful substances to the environment. These include
mercury, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, mercury, selenium, and
arsenic. These harmful substances not only cause acid rain but
also are very harmful to humans as well.