High vs. Low Grade Coal:
Graded by Gross Calorific Value (GCV) - heat generated per unit of coal.
Higher carbon content translates to higher grade.
India's Coal Ministry classifies coal into 17 grades based on GCV (highest > 7,000 kcal/kg, lowest < 2,500 kcal/kg).
Characteristics of Indian Coal:
Lower GCV (3,500-4,000 kcal/kg) compared to imported coal (>6,000 kcal/kg).
Higher ash content (>40%) compared to imported coal (<10%).
High-ash coal results in more air pollution.
Government Policy and Coal Blending:
Since 1954, coal prices have been controlled to discourage power plants from using high-grade coking coal for power generation.
To address pollution and power needs, the government recommends blending imported lower-ash coal with domestic coal (10-15%).
Clean Coal Technologies:
Washing plants in the coal based power plants remove ash and moisture from coal (expensive).
Coal gasification converts coal to cleaner-burning gas (requires significant investment).
Future of Coal in India:
India is a major coal producer (997 million tonnes in 2023-24).
Despite a push for renewable energy, coal remains the mainstay of India's energy sector (58 million tonnes of coking coal produced in March 2024).
However, renewables are gaining ground, with a record 71.5% share of new power generation capacity in 2024 (Q1).
Overall, the editorial discusses a coal scam allegation and explores the challenges of India's low-grade coal, including its impact on pollution and the potential of clean coal technologies. While coal remains dominant, renewable energy is showing signs of significant growth.
Coal in India
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