The Role of Coal in Energy History
Since the industrial revolution, coal has been a critical energy source for the prosperity and development of humanity. Technical developments have been made possible by the supply of abundant and cheap energy, and coal has played an important role in this process. In 1900, more than half of the primary energy consumed worldwide was the coal used in Europe. This shows the impressive place of coal in energy consumption.
Increase in Global Energy Consumption and Coal
In the first half of the century, energy consumption worldwide increased rapidly. This increase reached remarkable levels, especially in the USA and South Africa. By 1980, if world energy consumption followed the trend between 1958 and 1967, energy consumption was expected to reach 10,600 million tons of coal equivalent. This increase has become more pronounced, especially in industrialized countries.
World Energy Resources and the Share of Coal
Among energy sources, coal is seen as one of the sources with the highest potential, along with lignite and hard coal. According to estimates, the potential of coal is at the level of 3 billion tons of equivalent coal. This emphasizes the important place of coal among energy sources.
Coal Production and Affecting Factors
Coal production is affected by various factors such as economic factors, climate conditions, government policies and technological developments. Changes in the economic conjuncture and changes in climate conditions can affect coal consumption. Cold winter seasons in particular increase coal consumption.
Coal Policies in the USA and Canada
Countries such as the USA and Canada have based their coal policies on more production and export. In the period 1966-1970, coal production in the USA increased by 95% and in Canada by 278%. This shows how the increase in coal production occurred on a global scale.
Use of Coal in Electricity and Heat Production
Coal is used in electricity production in power plants and as a heat source in other industrial facilities. Among energy sources, the share of coal in terms of production costs is 88%, which shows that coal is in a more favorable position for electricity production.
Coal Production and Electricity Consumption in the USA
It was expected that coal production in the USA would increase by 300% and coal consumed for electricity by 400% between 1960-2000. This reveals the importance of coal in electricity generation and its future potential.
Energy Consumption and the Place of Coal in Turkey
Energy consumption in Turkey is divided into two groups as commercial and non-commercial energy sources. Commercial energy sources include hard coal, lignite, hydraulic energy and petroleum, while non-commercial energy sources consist of wood and dung. This shows the diversity of Turkey’s energy consumption structure and the place of coal within this structure.
The place of coal in energy production continues to be an important issue in terms of both its historical importance and future potential. Energy policies at global and local levels affect the use and production of coal, which in turn shapes the future of the energy sector. Coal continues to play an important role as an important energy source, especially in terms of electricity generation and heating needs.