The coal's energy comes from the energy stored in giant plants that were around hundreds of millions years ago in swamp forests. Once these plants died, they created layers at the bottom of the swamps. Water and soil then began to build on top of the plant remains. As a result, the plant remains underwent chemical and physical changes, pushing out the oxygen, and turning the dead plant remains into coal.
HOW A COAL PLANT WORKS
Once the coal is created, it is pulverized to the fineness of talcum powder, then mixed with hot air. The hot air and coal mixture provides the heat needed to create electricity. Next, purified water is transformed into steam due to the heat and the tremendous amounts of pressure. The steam flows into the turbine, which causes the generator to spin and to produce electricity. After the steam's job is finished at the turbine, it is cooled and condensed into water, before returning back to the boiler to repeat the cycle,
HOW COAL ENERGY WORKS
Coal energy works as the main power source for America's electricity. It has helped power America for generations. However, coal works as the main contributor to global warming and has major negative effects on people's health and the environment.
HOW MUCH COAL ENERGY COSTS TO INSTALL
Coal is a relatively abundant and inexpensive energy source. Therefore, the average cost to operate a conventional coal power plant is $94.80, to operate an advanced coal power plant is $109.40, and to operate an advanced coal power plant with CCS, the average cost is $136.20.
In addition, these are average sale prices of coal per 2000 pounds:
Bituminous—$51.57
Subbituminous—$14.63
Lignite—$22.36
Anthracite—$97.91
PROS AND CONS OF COAL ENERGY
Pros:
Coal energy encourages economic development by creating jobs
Coal is used to manufacture products such as steel, paper, and cement
Coal is relatively abundant and inexpensive
Coal can be more politically and economically stable than oil
Cons:
People who mine coal are exposed to many dangers
Byproducts of coal can contribute to poor air quality and respiratory problems
Coal generates the most pollution
The extraction and combustion of coal releases substances that are harmful to the environment and can lead to climate change
Coal mines release methane, which can leak acidic water into the atmosphere
INTERESTING FACTS
Coal takes millions of years to create, therefore, it is a nonrenewable resource
Coal generates about 40% of America's electricity
Nine out of ten tons of coal are used to generate electricity
America has a 235 year supply of coal
Texas is the state that uses the most coal. The state uses about 100 million tons of coal every year
Montana has the most coal reserves (119 billion tons) but Wyoming is the top coal-producing state
WORKS CITED
"Coal & Electricity." World Coal Association. World Coal Association, 2018. Web. 05 May 2018. <https://www.worldcoal.org/coal/uses-coal/coal-electricity>. "Coal Prices and Outlook." Chinese Coal-fired Electricity Generation Expected to Flatten as Mix Shifts to Renewables - Today in Energy - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Eia, n.d. Web. 05 May 2018. <https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=coal_prices>. Dana. "Climate Science Glossary." Skeptical Science. John Cook, 18 Mar. 2011. Web. 05 May 2018. <https://www.skepticalscience.com/true-cost-of-coal-power.html>. "Fast Facts About Coal » American Coal Foundation." American Coal Foundation. American Coal Foundation, 2014. Web. 05 May 2018. <http://teachcoal.org/fast-facts-about-coal>. "Generating Electricity from Coal." Duke Energy. Duke Energy Corporation, n.d. Web. 05 May 2018. <https://www.duke-energy.com/energy-education/how-energy-works/electricity-from-coal>. "How a Coal Plant Works." TVA - One Great Place to Work. Tennessee Valley Authority, n.d. Web. 05 May 2018. <https://www.tva.com/Energy/Our-Power-System/Coal/How-a-Coal-Plant-Works>. "How Coal Works." Union of Concerned Scientists. Union of Concerned Scientists, 18 Dec. 2017. Web. 06 May 2018. <https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-energy/all-about-coal/how-coal-works#.Wu-G5S-ZMwR>. "Kids Korner - How Coal Is Formed." Commercial Energy Systems - Performing Theaters. Apogee, 2009. Web. 05 May 2018. <https://c03.apogee.net/contentplayer/?coursetype=kids&utilityid=pseg&id=16200>.