Types and Uses
Alberta primarily produces two types of coal, subbituminous/thermal coal and metallurgical (coking) coal.
Subbituminous/Thermal
This type of coal is primarily used for electricity generation. While there are no active coal generators running in Alberta this coal is all exported. Currently it is estimated that 108 countries still rely on coal for their power generation. Last year over 8 billion tons of coal was used. This is primarily due to its low cost and availability. While many countries are trying to convert to alternative energies many poorer and rapidly growing nations still rely on this resource. This number might decrease over time but there is still a very large need for this resource for years to come. Unless we as a country are willing to pay for countries to transition away from coal generation we shouldn't dictate or withhold a resource that they need to survive.
Metallurgical (Coking)
Metallurgical coal is used to make coking coal which is then used to produce steel. It is an essential part of the steel making process and is considered one of the most widely used materials on earth. The majority of all steel is a result of using coking coal. New technologies are coming out but the demand for coking coal is increasing. There is around 1 billion tons of coking coal used per year.
Coal Usage Facts
Farm equipment
Renewable energy
Renewable energy
Coking coal is a vital resource in making farm equipment. This can be everything from tractors, harvesters, grain bins seeders, corrals, buildings and much more. It takes approximately
11.5 to 15.4 metric tonnes of coking coal to make a large combine harvester.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy
Coking coal is vital to make the components of renewable energies such as wind turbines. It can take 120 to 190 tonnes of coking coal to make a single wind turbine. People also don't realize that coking coal is used to make solar panels. Approximately 1kg to 2kg of coking coal can be used to make silicone in one solar panel.
Infrastructure
Renewable energy
Every day usage
Coking coal is used to make the steel we need in constructing bridges, roads, railways, buildings, and transportation systems. For example it is estimated that approximately 34,000 to 35,000 tonnes of coking coal would have been required to make the bow tower in Calgary.
Every day usage
Renewable energy
Every day usage
From the appliances in your home such as your fridge, washer, dryer and oven all the way down to your razor and cutlery, coking coal was used to produce these. Some of the byproducts of coking coal are also activated carbon filters to carbon fiber.