Coal Vs Alternative Energy

Australia’s recently developed Emissions Trading Scheme, coupled with the intense focus on reducing global greenhouse emissions, is resulting in rapid developments in environmentally friendly energy producing technology.

But until these new technologies are proven and able to be used on a large scale, they remain relatively expensive.

In Australia, our power stations employ technologies designed to remove almost 99.5% of particulates and up to 90% of sulphur and nitrogen dioxides.  One of the best ways to reduce sulphur emissions is to use low sulphur coals, fortunately, the characteristic of Australian coal deposits.

By the year 2020, world energy consumption is projected to increase by 50%. Clearly, renewable energy will play an increasingly vital role in the power generation mix over the next century.

The race to develop Clean Coal Technologies is progressing vigorously and Australia is at the forefront of a variety of research projects.

The Australian Coal Association’s website, http://www.australiancoal.com.au has excellent information about current research projects underway and the successful trials taking place

About Australia’s Coal

Australia’s estimated 72billion tonnes of coal resources are expected to last for approximately 180 years. Around the world, 40% of all energy generation is created by coal and it also plays a valuable role as a reductant in metuallurgical industries, such as steel.

The thermal properties of Australian coal are well utilised in alumina refineries and paper manufacturing plants to generate steam.  Pharmaceutical, brewing, chemical and industries that produce bricks and tiles also use coal fired kilns to achieve the necessary high temperatures.

Coal is also a vital ingredient in many products that we use every day. For example, ammonia gas recovered from coke ovens is used in making ammonia salts, nitric acid and agricultural fertilisers. In addition, refined coal tart can be used to manufacture pitch, creosote oil and naphthalene.

About Australia’s Coal Mining

Coal mining activities in Australia are stringently managed and monitored. Land is rehabilitated as mining activities cease and chemical wastes are non-existant.

Extensive effort is invested at every stage of the mining process to ensure the minimisation of potential dust impacts, carbon created from coal methane and water use.  The most efficient transport method – rail – is used to move coal to its destinations.

As land is stripped to prepare for mining, the topsoil is stockpiled for use in rebuilding the landscape to its original form on completion of mining. Plants for rehabilitation are scientifically chosen to suit the geography of the area.

A great website to gain a deeper understanding of this process is the University of Queensland’s site for cleared mining land rehabilitation at: www.cmlr.uq.edu.au

At Wiggins Island, our focus is on creating a world class facility that can efficiently receive and dispatch 25million tonnes of coal during Stage 1.