Clean Coal? Myth or Reality

 

    For generations, coal has been one of the world's principal sources of energy, yet its environmental effect is apparent. Coal burning emits significant volumes of CO2, SO2, NOx, and other pollutants into the environment, leading to climate change and air pollution. In recent years, the coal industry has attempted to market "clean coal" as a solution to these environmental issues. Yet, as this article will explain, there is no such thing as really "clean coal," and the term's marketing is deceptive. Firstly, the term "clean coal" is vague and can be interpreted in many ways. As Brad Plumer of The New York Times explains, "the term is deliberately vague, allowing coal companies to use it to describe a variety of technologies and practices aimed at reducing the environmental impact of coal mining and combustion" (Plumer, 2017). Therefore, the use of the term "clean coal" is misleading, as it creates the false impression that coal can be made environmentally friendly when in reality, the most advanced clean coal technologies can only mitigate its impact to a certain extent.

    This vagueness makes it difficult to assess the true environmental impact of any particular coal operation that claims to be "clean." Secondly, one of the most common definitions of "clean coal" involves the use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. “This technology captures carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants and stores them underground or uses them in other industrial processes. Proponents of CCS argue that it can reduce carbon emissions from coal plants by up to 90%” (Plumer, 2017).” However, there are several problems with CCS. Firstly, it is expensive, with estimates ranging from $50 to $150 per ton of carbon dioxide captured” (Plumer, 2017). Secondly, the technology is still in the early stages of development, and there are concerns about its safety and long-term viability. Finally, CCS does not address the other pollutants released by coal combustion, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Thirdly, even if CCS were to become a widely adopted technology, it would not make coal "clean" in the true sense of the word. Coal mining and transportation still have significant environmental impacts, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. In addition, coal combustion still produces other pollutants besides carbon dioxide, including mercury and particulate matter, which can have serious health effects. 

The International Energy Agency (IEA) defines clean coal technologies as advanced methods that capture and store CO2 emissions, reduce harmful emissions, and/or increase coal-fired power generation efficiency. The IEA recognizes the importance of deploying these technologies to minimize environmental impacts, but acknowledges that even with them, coal mining and transportation still have significant environmental issues. The IEA suggests that clean coal technologies should complement rather than replace other low-carbon energy sources.

Finally, there are other renewable energy sources that are truly "clean" and do not have the environmental impacts of coal. Solar and wind power, for example, do not produce any emissions during operation and have minimal environmental impacts during manufacturing and construction. As Plumer notes, "the term 'clean coal' has often been used to argue that coal can be made more palatable in a world that is increasingly focused on renewable energy sources" (Plumer, 2017). However, this argument ignores the fact that renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly cost-competitive and are already making up a significant portion of the world's energy mix.

To summarize, the term "clean coal" is a deceptive idea that ignores the genuine environmental consequences of coal extraction and burning. Carbon capture and storage technology can cut carbon emissions from coal-fired power stations, but it does not make coal fully "clean." Additionally, alternative renewable energy sources are currently competitive with coal and have significantly fewer environmental consequences. As the world focuses on lowering carbon emissions and tackling climate change, it is evident that coal is not a sustainable energy source and that truly "clean" alternatives are required.

Resources:

International Energy Agency. (2019). Clean Coal Technologies: Accelerating Commercial and Policy Drivers for Deployment. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/clean-coal-technologies.

Plumer, B. (2017, August 23). What 'clean coal' is - and isn't. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/23/climate/what-clean-coal-is-and-isnt.html