Why do we burn coal to generate electricity? Because you can’t plug your iPod into a chunk of coal!

Coal Classification Lignite Sub-Bituminous Bituminous Anthracite 25-35% Carbon 35-45% Carbon 45-86% Carbon 86-97% Carbon

Coal In addition to Carbon, coal also contains – Hydrogen – Sulfur – Nitrogen – Mercury The different types of coal are based on the percent of Carbon that they contain. The energy content of the coal is also associated with the Carbon content. – As the % of carbon increases, the energy content also increases.

Uses of Coal Coal has been used for over 2000 years as a fuel. 200 years ago, coal was used in steam engines because it had a higher energy content than wood. Today, coal is used almost exclusively to generate electricity.

Coal in “Coal”orado 57% of the electricity generated and used in Colorado comes from coal!

Fuel TypeUnit TypeGenerating FacilitiesGenerating Units Generating Capacity (Megawatts*) FossilCoal16327,921 Natural Gas28695,834 Oil4816 Nuclear RenewableHydro Wind155 Refuse-derived fuel3667 Total ,022 MW Electrical Generation in Colorado *One Megawatt (MW) is one million watts.

Chemical Energy Thermal (heat) Energy Mechanical/Kinetic Energy Electrical Energy A Review of Energy Transformations

Coal is made of… Carbon Nitrogen Sulfur Hydrogen Mercury

When coal is burned Gases are released into the atmosphere Nitrous Oxides (NO x ) Sulfur Oxides (NO x ) Carbon Oxides (NO x ) Mercury Particulate Matter