Coal-to-X switching
Switching fuels from coal can significantly reduce power sector emissions.
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- 500 Mt
- Between 2010 and 2018, coal-to-gas switching saved ~500 Mt CO2 globally.
The majority of these savings were concentrated in the U.S. and China.
Emissions
Global greenhouse gas emissions – share of total (2019).
Background
Natural gas emits half as much carbon dioxide as coal to generate the same amount of electricity.
- 50%
- less emissions from natural gas than coal, with same efficiency.
Coal-to-X switching may also provide a path to emissions reduction in high-heat industrial processes.
- High-heat
- emissions reduction by switching from coal.
Particularly when coupled with methane abatement and CCUS, coal-to-gas switching is an effective solution to the Dual Challenge.
- CCUS
- pairs well with coal-to-X switching.
Source: Climate Watch; Our Word in Data; IEA; EIA
Current State
The shale revolution drove fuel switching in the U.S. as the economic case for switching improved.
From 2011-2019, 103 coal-fired power plants were converted to or replaced by natural gas.
Fuel switching in China has been driven primarily by air quality policies.
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