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China: Coal
FWIW
Look at this one data point: this should scare the heck out of the Union of Concerned Scientists:
Hopefully that is about to change because as the FT reports, China is set to add an army of new coal-fired power plants equivalent to the EU’s entire capacity, as the world’s biggest energy consumer ignores global pressure to rein in carbon emissions in its bid to boost a slowing economy.
Across China, a whopping 148GW of heavily-polluting, coal-fired plants are either being built or are about to begin construction, according to a report from Global Energy Monitor, a non-profit group that monitors coal stations. Putting that number in context, the current capacity of the entire EU coal fleet is 149GW, or the same as what China is about to add.
This is even scarier -- quick! Why is this graphic so scary? Answer is below the graphic.
Why is this graphic so scary? The data is old -- prior to 2015. And we have yet to see the surge in coal plants yet to be built in China.
"Heavily polluting" is a bit much to describe the Chinese coal plants. They are new equipment with modern designs. The exhaust is well scrubbed as local air pollution is a big concern to the Chinese. Yes, they emit a lot of CO2. But the article ought to be more precise about what pollutant they are talking about. (Still not clear 100% if CO2 is considered a pollutant, legally...and even if it is, it is some sort of 50 year process that affects the entire planet's temperature...not local air quality, toxicity, etc.)
ReplyDeleteAgree 1,000%. That's why I posted the "FWIW."
DeleteBut this is the deal (to coin a phrase from Pocahontas): the story was all about CO2 and Greta.
A spanking, no supper, and early bedtime. Let her cry into the pillow. Girl needs to not be so self-centered and dramatic. It's part of life to learn that...no, you're not a special snowflake. Oh...and harden up. No crying in baseball.
ReplyDeleteSo, how you do you really feel about St Greta? LOL.
DeleteFor the past 10 years most Chinese coal-fired plants are ultra-critical operating at 1400 deg C. Extremely clean burning, much better than USA. These plants will still be operating in 2050...long after the last of their wind turbines installed in the past 20 years are abandoned or junked (IMHO).'
ReplyDeleteI'm looking at this from a different standpoint -- I'm looking at this from the GDP, economic growth, energy demands, etc., etc, that China will be 50 years from now, if not sooner.
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