Coal


 * __Coal-__** is a readily combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock

Coal i s primarily used as a solid fuel to produce electricity and heat through combustion. World coal consumption was about 6,743,786,000 tons in 2006 and is expected to increase 48% to 9.98 billion tons by 2030. China produced 2.38 billion tons in 2006. India produced about 447.3 million tons in 2006. 68.7% of China's electricity comes from coal. The USA consumes about 14% of the world total, using 90% of it for generation of electricity.

Advantages: 1. Very large amounts of electricity can be generated in one place using coal 2. Inexpensive 3. Widely and easily distributed all over the world

Disadvantages: 1. it is Non-renewable and fast depleting 2. Mining and burning of coal pollutes the environment 3. it leaves behind harmful by-products upon combustion