MODERN TRENDS IN WORLD ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND THE OUTLOOK FOR COAL

World primary energy production in 2006 comprises crude oil (33.5%), natural gas (22.8%), liquefied natural gas (2.5%), coal (27.4%), nuclear power (5.9%), hydroelectric (6.3%), and renewable energy (geothermal, solar, wind, and wood and waste) (1.0%) (EIA, 2008). Crude-oil prices have dropped precipitously in recent months because of the economic recession. However, the global demand for crude oil is to increase in the long term. At issue is whether the world is at, or near, maximum oil production, the so-called “peak oil.” New technologies are promising to improve the ability of finding new oil resources. In the long term, heavy oil and shale oil resources are to be developed to sustain oil supply. Natural gas is another important fossil fuel because it is clean and easy on the environment. Huge natural gas reserves exit in Russian, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and other countries. Coal is widely distributed in the world and is inexpensive. Coal is a mainstay energy resource in many countries. For example, coal accounts for 67% of total energy consumption in China, and 23% in the U.S. A main problem with coal combustion is its impact on the environment, i.e. the emissions of sulfur dioxide, greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, and toxic trace elements, such as mercury. Clean coal technologies are a must for sustainable and effective use of coal resource. Hazardous emissions from coal combustion are to be reduced by technologies, such as IGCC and carbon sequestration. In recent years nuclear power has gained significant momentum because of oil prices and concerns over global warming. About 16% of the world's electricity supply comes from nuclear power now, it is projected to double by 2030. For easing oil dependency and carbon dioxide emissions, it is urgent to develop renewable (green) energy, including solar and wind power, as well as biofuels.