2011, Climate and Coal

Study Concludes Peak Coal Will Occur Close to 2011

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 2, 2010

A multi-Hubbert analysis of coal production by Tadeusz Patzek at The University of Texas at Austin and Gregory Croft at the University of California, Berkeley concludes that the global peak of coal production from existing coalfields will occur close to the year 2011. Gt C (15 Gt CO 2 ) per year, according to the study.

Coal

Coal 2011 Global Emissions

MIT study concludes that absent climate policy, coal-to-liquids could account for around a third of global liquid fuels by 2050

Green Car Congress

JUNE 9, 2011

The top graph depicts CTL in a no policy scenario; the bottom graph, for CTL in a world climate policy scenario. 2011 Click to enlarge. However, the viability of CTL becomes quite limited in regions with climate policy due to the high conversion cost and huge carbon footprint. Credit: Chen et al.,

Coal

Coal MIT Climate Global

EPA says methane emissions from natural gas production have dropped 36% from 2007-2011

Green Car Congress

APRIL 29, 2013

In its recently released Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990 – 2011 ( earlier post ), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that methane (CH 4 ) emissions from the field production of natural gas have declined by 36% from 2007 to 2011 (from 83.1 Tg CO 2 eq) in 2011. Tg CO 2 eq) in 2011.

2007

2007 2011 EPA Gas

Tsinghua University provincial-level lifecycle study finds fuel-cycle criteria pollutants of EVs in China could be up to 5x those of natural gas vehicles due to China’s coal-dominant power mix

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 12, 2013

In regions where the share of coal-based electricity is relatively low, EVs can achieve substantial GHG reduction, the team reports in a paper in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology. According to the 12 th Five-Year Plan of the China Coal Industry (2011?2015)

Coal

Coal Pollution China Gas

Obama climate plan calls for new fuel economy standards for heavy-duty vehicles post-2018; cleaner fuels and investment in advanced fossil energy

Green Car Congress

JUNE 25, 2013

Among the transportation-related elements of US President Barack Obama’s new climate action plan, which he is outlining today in a speech at Georgetown University, is the development of new fuel economy standards for heavy-duty vehicles post-2018. Preparing the US for the impacts of climate change. Earlier post.).

Obama

Obama Cleaner Climate Fuel Economy

EPA: US greenhouse gases dropped 3.4% in 2012 from 2011; down 10% from 2005 levels

Green Car Congress

APRIL 16, 2014

decrease in 2012 from 2011. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks , which is submitted annually to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, presents a national-level overview of annual greenhouse gas emissions since 1990. From 2011 to 2012, these emissions decreased by 198.8 Source: EPA.

2005

2005 2012 EPA 2011

Global CO2 emissions up 3% in 2011; per capita CO2 emissions in China reach EU levels

Green Car Congress

JULY 20, 2012

At 3%, the 2011 increase in global CO 2 emissions is above the past decade’s average annual increase of 2.7%. combined, where emissions increased by 9% and 6% respectively in 2011. According to the report, the top emitters contributing to the global 34 billion tonnes of CO 2 in 2011 are: China (29%). the United States (16%).

2011

2011 Emissions CO2 Global

PCAST suggests 6 key components for climate change strategy to President Obama; adaptation and mitigation

Green Car Congress

MARCH 23, 2013

The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released a letter to President Obama describing six key components the advisory group believes should be central to the Administration’s strategy for addressing climate change. Both approaches are essential parts of an integrated strategy for dealing with climate change.

Climate Change

Climate Change Climate Obama Clean

New phase of globalization could undermine efforts to reduce CO2 emissions

Green Car Congress

MAY 14, 2018

It found that trade among developing nations—South-South trade—more than doubled between 2004 and 2011. —Dabo Guan, professor in climate change economics at UEA’s School of International Development and co-author on both studies. Gt in 2011, growing by an average of 2.9% Gt in 2011 (1.33% per year).

Emissions

Emissions Global CO2 2004

$3.8 Trillion FY 2011 US Budget Proposal Boosts Department of Energy Spending

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 1, 2010

trillion FY 2011 Budget to the US Congress. The President’s 2011 Budget provides $28.354 billion for the Department of Energy (DOE) in discretionary budget authority—an 8.9% billion in tax subsidies for oil, coal and gas industries. 2010 est. 2011 prop. President Obama today transmitted the proposed $3.8-trillion

2011

2011 Energy Obama 2010

Bloomberg NEF forecasts falling battery prices enabling surge in wind and solar to 50% of global generation by 2050

Green Car Congress

JUNE 19, 2018

The result will be renewables eating up more and more of the existing market for coal, gas and nuclear. Coal emerges as the biggest loser in the long run. However, coal consumption was also up, growing for the first time since 2013. Coal’s share in primary energy in 2017 fell to 27.6%, the lowest since 2004.

Wind

Wind Solar Global Coal

Report finds Coal-to-Liquids and Oil Shale pose significant financial and environmental risks to investors

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 19, 2010

Ceres recently released a new report concluding that coal-to-liquid (CTL) and oil shale technologies face significant environmental and financial obstacles—from water constraints, to technological uncertainties to regulatory and market risks—that pose substantial financial risks for investors involved in such projects.

Coal

Coal Oil Water Oil Prices

UNEP study: small number of measures targeting black carbon and tropospheric ozone could yield immediate climate benefits

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 22, 2011

The climate change benefit is estimated for 2050 and human health and crop benefits are for 2030 and beyond. Black carbon and tropospheric ozone are harmful air pollutants that also contribute to climate change. What are the multiple climate, health and crop-yield benefits (by region) of implementing the measures?

Ozone

Ozone Climate Carbon Climate Change

AEP puts Mountaineer carbon capture commercialization project on hold, citing uncertain status of climate policy, weak economy

Green Car Congress

JULY 14, 2011

American Electric Power is terminating its cooperative agreement with the US Department of Energy and placing its plans to advance carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology to commercial scale on hold, citing the current uncertain status of US climate policy and the continued weak economy as contributors to the decision.

Climate

Climate Commercial Economy Carbon

Argonne study finds shale gas GHG lifecycle emissions 6% lower than natural gas, 23% lower than gasoline and 33% lower than coal; upstream methane leakage a key contributor

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 18, 2011

The base results from a study by a team at the Center for Transportation Research, Argonne National Laboratory indicate that shale gas life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are 6% lower than conventional natural gas, 23% lower than gasoline, and 33% lower than coal. However, the environmental impacts (e.g., —Burnham et al.

Gas

Gas Coal Emissions Gasoline

EPA proposes rule for nationwide 30% cut in GHG from existing power plants by 2030 relative to 2005

Green Car Congress

JUNE 2, 2014

The value allocated here in EPA’s goal-setting formula was an average heat rate improvement of 6% for coal steam electric generating units (EGUs). billion (state compliance) in 2030 ($2011), excluding the costs associated with monitoring, reporting, and record-keeping. billion (state compliance) in 2025 (2011$).

2005

2005 EPA Power Powered

EIA: world energy consumption to grow 56% 2010-2040, CO2 up 46%; use of liquid fuels in transportation up 38%

Green Car Congress

JULY 25, 2013

With prices expected to increase in the long term, however, the world oil price in real 2011 dollars reaches $106 per barrel in 2020 and $163 per barrel in 2040, according to IEO2013. Biomass Climate Change Coal-to-Liquids (CTL) Emissions Forecasts Fuels Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) Market Background'

2010

2010 Transportation Fuel Energy

Separate MIT, IEA reports both outline major expansion in role of natural gas; caution on climate benefits

Green Car Congress

JUNE 10, 2011

The new report, part of the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2011 series, examines the key factors that could result in a more prominent role for natural gas in the global energy mix, and the implications for other fuels, energy security and climate change.

MIT

MIT Gas Climate Gas-Electric

Perspective: Despite Solyndra’s death, the future of solar energy is sunny

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Flash forward to 2011, when nearly everyone is online, Internet technology has become more accessible and fortunes continue to be made. With subsidies long in place for nuclear, coal and gas in the US along with the cheap cost of production for coal and natural gas, solar is essentially competing with that $0.10/kWh

Solar

Solar Future Energy New Jersey

Worldwatch: Fossil fuel subsidies continue to outweigh those for renewable energy; international pledges on reform unfulfilled

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 22, 2012

In 2011–12 India’s subsidies and under-recoveries for fuel totalled INR1.4 of the GDP for 2011–12, according to the International Institute for Sustainable Development’s Global Subsidies Initiative ( GSI ). By 2035, oil demand would decrease by 4%, natural gas by 9.9%, and coal demand by 5.3%, compared with the baseline projection.

Renewable

Renewable International Fuel Energy

Devil in the Details: World Leaders Scramble To Salvage and Shape Copenhagens UNFCCC Climate Summit

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 29, 2009

Although most countries have already revealed their opening emissions reduction proposals, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer pointed out Thursday that “ we still await clarity from industrialized nations on the provision of large-scale finance to developing countries for immediate and long-term climate action. by Jack Rosebro.

Climate

Climate Climate Change 2009 Emissions

UN report finds world needs incremental $1.9 trillion invested in green technologies to avert planetary catastrophe; global per capita cap on primary energy consumption of 70 GJ/yr may be required

Green Car Congress

JULY 5, 2011

trillion in 2010) would be required to overcome poverty; increase food production to eradicate hunger without degrading land and water resources; and avert the climate change catastrophe. —The World Economic and Social Survey 2011. At least one-half of the required investments would have to be realized in developing countries.

Global

Global Energy Green Coal

IEA: carbon intensity of global energy supply has barely changed in last 20 years; “window of opportunity in transport”

Green Car Congress

APRIL 18, 2013

The IEA said that this reflects the continued domination of fossil fuels—particularly coal—in the energy mix and the slow uptake of other, lower-carbon supply technologies. million, up 43% from 2011. Coal technologies continue to dominate growth in power generation. tCO 2 /TJ (2.39 tCO 2 /toe); in 2010 it was 56.7

Carbon

Carbon Supplies Global Transportation

Transcanada restarts Keystone oil sands pipeline operations

Green Car Congress

JUNE 6, 2011

On May 7, 2011, a reportable failure incident occurred on pump station piping on the Keystone crude oil pipeline resulting in the release of approximately 400 barrels of crude oil. On May 29, 2011, a second reportable failure incident occurred on piping at another pump station. Earlier post.) The tar sands are estimated (e.g.,

Oil-Sands

Oil-Sands Oil North Dakota Oklahoma

PBL/JRC: Global CO2 emissions increase to new all-time record in 2013, but growth is slowing down

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 18, 2014

The emissions increase in the United States in 2013 (+2.5%) was mainly due to a shift in power production from gas back to coal together with an increase in gas consumption due to a higher demand for space heating. Climate Change Emissions' The much lower emissions increase in China of 4.2% in 2013 and 3.4% percentage points to 4.7%.

2013

2013 Emissions Global CO2

USGS assessment finds mean CO2 storage potential of 3,000 gigatonnes in US

Green Car Congress

JUNE 27, 2013

The assessment comes on the heels of a national climate action plan announced by President Obama. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that in 2011, the United States emitted 5.5 Carbon sequestration in the President’s climate plan. Carbon sequestration in the President’s climate plan. Earlier post.).

CO2

CO2 United States Carbon Coal

Study finds that worldwide SO2 emissions rose between 2000-2005 after decade of decline; China, shipping topped growth

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 15, 2011

Sulfur aerosols impact human health, ecosystems, agriculture, and global and regional climate. grid by sector for use in coordinated climate model experiments. Sulfur dioxide forms sulfate aerosols that have a significant effect on global and regional climate. Emissions were distributed on a 0.5°

2005

2005 2000 Emissions China

International study identifies 14 key measures to reduce methane and black carbon emissions; reduction in projected global mean warming of ~0.5 °C by 2050

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 13, 2012

Circle areas are proportional to values for (A and B) climate change, (C and D) human health (values for population over age 30), and (E and F) agriculture. Their potential climate impact was assessed by using published global warming potential (GWP) values for each pollutant affected. Source: Shindell et al. Click to enlarge.

Carbon

Carbon Ozone Emissions International

US and Swiss researchers model two very high carbon emissions scenarios

Green Car Congress

JULY 6, 2011

US and Swiss researchers have modeled two climate scenarios with very high carbon emissions—above the A1F1 scenario, currently representing the upper bound of predicted carbon emissions in the IPCC work—to investigate the resulting climate change implications. —Sanderson et al. —Sanderson et al.

Carbon

Carbon Emissions Climate Change Climate

WHO data: global annual PM10 increased by 6% during recent 3-year period; based on data from 851 cities

Green Car Congress

MAY 8, 2014

The 2014 database covers the period from 2008 to 2013, with the majority of values for the years 2011 and 2012. A total of 851 cities in 72 countries are present in both the 2011 and 2014 versions of the database, with air quality data for different years.

Global

Global Pollution 2014 2012

IEA WEO-2012 finds major shift in global energy balance but not onto a more sustainable path; identifies potential for transformative shift in global energy efficiency

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 12, 2012

barely rises in OECD countries, although there is a pronounced shift away from oil, coal (and, in some countries, nuclear) towards natural gas and renewables. by subsidies that amounted to $523 billion in 2011, up almost 30% on 2010 and six times more than subsidies to renewables. Energy demand. Fossil fuel remain dominant. Renewables.

Global

Global 2012 Energy Oil

Construction begins on DOE-sponsored carbon-capture project at Kentucky Power Plant

Green Car Congress

JULY 21, 2014

When completed later this year, the unit will test a system conceived by the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (UKCAER) at slipstream-scale to capture carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the flue gas of an operating coal-fired power plant.

Kentucky

Kentucky Carbon Power Powered

Siemens presents three-point plan for implementing cost-efficient energy transition in Germany

Green Car Congress

JUNE 15, 2013

Following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, the Federal government oversaw the immediate closure of eight nuclear plants, with the rest of the stations to be shut down by 2022. This scenario would ensure that Germany meets its climate targets, Siemens said. These costs are primarily borne by consumers.

Germany

Germany Energy Renewable Grid

Washington Governor Issues Executive Order Directing State Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gases; Consideration of California Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Highway Electrification

Green Car Congress

MAY 24, 2009

Gregoire issued her executive order, entitled “Washington’s Leadership on Climate Change,” after testifying at the US Environmental Protection Agency’s public hearing in Seattle on the regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Washington’s Leadership on Climate Change. Washington Gov. Executive Order 09-05.

Washington

Washington Climate Change Standards Carbon

Australia PM Gillard announces carbon pricing plan; transport fuels exempt, but lowered fuel tax credits to bring carbon price to some businesses

Green Car Congress

JULY 10, 2011

The Government intends to introduce legislation to underpin the carbon pricing mechanism into Parliament in the second half of 2011. We have had a long debate about climate change in this country. But we have now had the debate, 2011 is the year we decide that as a nation we want a clean energy future. a year in real terms.

Tax Credit

Tax Credit Fuel Tax Carbon Australia

Large-scale CO2 injection test begins in Illinois

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 21, 2011

The test is part of the development phase of the Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships program, an Office of Fossil Energy initiative launched in 2003 to determine the best approaches for capturing and permanently storing gases that can contribute to global climate change.

Illinois

Illinois CO2 Kentucky Indiana

Study: even with high LDV electrification, low-carbon biofuels will be necessary to meet 80% GHG reduction target; “daunting” policy implications

Green Car Congress

JULY 3, 2015

The implication for biofuels is important, to the extent they are aimed at meeting climate and petroleum use reduction goals. while the climate-targeted scenarios assume that electricity supply is decarbonized by 80%. to the point where gasoline and diesel consumption is reduced to 50% of 2011 levels). —Meier et al.

Carbon

Carbon EPRI Climate Gasoline-Electric

Upper atmosphere facilitates changes that let mercury enter food chain

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 19, 2011

Some areas, such as the Southwest United States, appear to have specific climate conditions that allow them to receive more oxidized mercury from the upper atmosphere than other areas, Lyman noted. Jaffe (2011) Formation and fate of oxidized mercury in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Lyman & Daniel A.

Mercury

Mercury Utah North America 2010

Federal Task Force Concludes CCS is Viable, But Carbon Price Is Critical; Sends Recommendations to President Obama on Fostering the Technology

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 12, 2010

The report concludes that while CCS can play an important role in domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions thereby preserving the option of using coal and other abundant domestic fossil energy resources, it faces a key barrier in the lack of a price on carbon. Tags: Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Coal.

Obama

Obama Carbon Price Coal

Renewable Energy Generation: Change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy, a lesson exported from Detroit

Green Car Congress

APRIL 5, 2011

RPS policies as of March 2011. Fifty years later, the USA is faced with a similar challenge, energy independency and climatic change. In contrast, China’s 12 th five-year plan, March 5, 2011, requires 11.4 Perspective by The Townsend Company. Source: DSIRE. Click to enlarge.

Renewable

Renewable West Virginia Energy USA

MIT study finds including non-CO2 emissions from synthetic aviation fuel in lifecycle analysis of climate impact can lead to decrease in relative environmental merit; need for a holistic analysis framework

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Aviation climate change impacts pathway. An an example, they point out that an SPK fuel option with zero life cycle GHG emissions would offer a 100% reduction in GHG emissions but only a 48% reduction in actual climate impact using a 100-year time window and the nominal climate modeling assumptions in the paper.

MIT

MIT Climate Emissions Ozone

Naysayer Alert – the hydrogen red herring

My Electric Car

AUGUST 21, 2020

The energy stored within hydrogen has been imparted from electrical energy through the electrolytic hydrogen production process or more likely in the refinement of fossil fuels such as coal seam (methane) gas – both are energy intensive processes in themselves. . The reasons are numerous. . 2020) [11]. John Murray. Tillemann,L.,

Hydrogen

Hydrogen Petrol Gas-Electric Lithium Ion

PwC analysis finds meeting 2 C warming target would require “unprecedented and sustained” reductions over four decades

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 5, 2012

Since 2000, the global rate of decarbonization has averaged 0.8%; from 2010 to 2011, global carbon intensity fell by just 0.7%. —Leo Johnson, Partner, Sustainability and Climate Change, PwC. Resilience will become a watch word in the boardroom—to policy responses as well as to the climate. a year from now to 2050.

Climate Change

Climate Change Climate Saudi Arabia Economy

IEA World Energy Outlook view on the transport sector to 2035; passenger car fleet doubling to almost 1.7B units, driving oil demand up to 99 mb/d; reconfirming the end of cheap oil

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 13, 2011

The International Energy Agency (IEA) last week launched the 2011 edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO), the current edition of its annual flagship publication assessing the threats and opportunities facing the global energy system out to 2035. —WEO 2011. —WEO 2011. Click to enlarge.

Oil

Oil Transportation Cheap Fleet

Study Concludes Peak Coal Will Occur Close to 2011

MIT study concludes that absent climate policy, coal-to-liquids could account for around a third of global liquid fuels by 2050

EPA says methane emissions from natural gas production have dropped 36% from 2007-2011

Tsinghua University provincial-level lifecycle study finds fuel-cycle criteria pollutants of EVs in China could be up to 5x those of natural gas vehicles due to China’s coal-dominant power mix

Obama climate plan calls for new fuel economy standards for heavy-duty vehicles post-2018; cleaner fuels and investment in advanced fossil energy

EPA: US greenhouse gases dropped 3.4% in 2012 from 2011; down 10% from 2005 levels

Global CO2 emissions up 3% in 2011; per capita CO2 emissions in China reach EU levels

PCAST suggests 6 key components for climate change strategy to President Obama; adaptation and mitigation

New phase of globalization could undermine efforts to reduce CO2 emissions

$3.8 Trillion FY 2011 US Budget Proposal Boosts Department of Energy Spending

Bloomberg NEF forecasts falling battery prices enabling surge in wind and solar to 50% of global generation by 2050

Report finds Coal-to-Liquids and Oil Shale pose significant financial and environmental risks to investors

UNEP study: small number of measures targeting black carbon and tropospheric ozone could yield immediate climate benefits

AEP puts Mountaineer carbon capture commercialization project on hold, citing uncertain status of climate policy, weak economy

Argonne study finds shale gas GHG lifecycle emissions 6% lower than natural gas, 23% lower than gasoline and 33% lower than coal; upstream methane leakage a key contributor

EPA proposes rule for nationwide 30% cut in GHG from existing power plants by 2030 relative to 2005

EIA: world energy consumption to grow 56% 2010-2040, CO2 up 46%; use of liquid fuels in transportation up 38%

Separate MIT, IEA reports both outline major expansion in role of natural gas; caution on climate benefits

Perspective: Despite Solyndra’s death, the future of solar energy is sunny

Worldwatch: Fossil fuel subsidies continue to outweigh those for renewable energy; international pledges on reform unfulfilled

Devil in the Details: World Leaders Scramble To Salvage and Shape Copenhagens UNFCCC Climate Summit

UN report finds world needs incremental $1.9 trillion invested in green technologies to avert planetary catastrophe; global per capita cap on primary energy consumption of 70 GJ/yr may be required

IEA: carbon intensity of global energy supply has barely changed in last 20 years; “window of opportunity in transport”

Transcanada restarts Keystone oil sands pipeline operations

PBL/JRC: Global CO2 emissions increase to new all-time record in 2013, but growth is slowing down

USGS assessment finds mean CO2 storage potential of 3,000 gigatonnes in US

Study finds that worldwide SO2 emissions rose between 2000-2005 after decade of decline; China, shipping topped growth

International study identifies 14 key measures to reduce methane and black carbon emissions; reduction in projected global mean warming of ~0.5 °C by 2050

US and Swiss researchers model two very high carbon emissions scenarios

WHO data: global annual PM10 increased by 6% during recent 3-year period; based on data from 851 cities

IEA WEO-2012 finds major shift in global energy balance but not onto a more sustainable path; identifies potential for transformative shift in global energy efficiency

Construction begins on DOE-sponsored carbon-capture project at Kentucky Power Plant

Siemens presents three-point plan for implementing cost-efficient energy transition in Germany

Washington Governor Issues Executive Order Directing State Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gases; Consideration of California Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Highway Electrification

Australia PM Gillard announces carbon pricing plan; transport fuels exempt, but lowered fuel tax credits to bring carbon price to some businesses

Large-scale CO2 injection test begins in Illinois

Study: even with high LDV electrification, low-carbon biofuels will be necessary to meet 80% GHG reduction target; “daunting” policy implications

Upper atmosphere facilitates changes that let mercury enter food chain

Federal Task Force Concludes CCS is Viable, But Carbon Price Is Critical; Sends Recommendations to President Obama on Fostering the Technology

Renewable Energy Generation: Change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy, a lesson exported from Detroit

MIT study finds including non-CO2 emissions from synthetic aviation fuel in lifecycle analysis of climate impact can lead to decrease in relative environmental merit; need for a holistic analysis framework

Naysayer Alert – the hydrogen red herring

PwC analysis finds meeting 2 C warming target would require “unprecedented and sustained” reductions over four decades

IEA World Energy Outlook view on the transport sector to 2035; passenger car fleet doubling to almost 1.7B units, driving oil demand up to 99 mb/d; reconfirming the end of cheap oil

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