Coal miners feel antiquated in light of the renewable revolution, yet the fossil fuel still accounts for a significant portion of the world’s energy consumption. The only way to ensure coal’s exit is to diversify energy assets. A smooth shift analyzes the modern coal landscape, workers and legislation. Overcoming challenges while introducing varied alternatives is the path to outgrowing coal.
Current State of Coal Energy and its Workforce
Despite the globe’s efforts to decarbonize energy, coal still accounts for a third of production. Nations phasing it out for electricity still rely on it for other uses, which is how it remains an industry mainstay. Energy — alongside steel and iron — is experiencing high demand. Urbanization and the energy crisis caused coal to rise 4% in 2022, as a growing population uses unprecedented resources.
Climate objectives intend to eliminate the world’s coal dependence in multiple frameworks, including the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario. The world is currently not on track, especially with geopolitical tensions like the Ukraine-Russia conflict, supply chain shortages on renewable materials, and nations executing gas-to-coal plans instead of picking greener avenues.
However, nations successfully removing coal are seeing workforces abandoning plants and mines, instigating a $125 million project from the U.S. Department of Interior to reclaim and clean these sites for new applications. Policymakers will continue amplifying assets like solar and wind, moving energy professionals into greener ventures for job security’s sake.
Challenges and Solutions in Energy Diversification
Coal elimination requires diversification because sustainable generators will need helping overcoming their unreliable reputation. The inconsistency of sun and wind detracts from green power’s potential and makes it less attractive to prospective workforces tempted by the eco-friendly transition.
Diversification enhances sustainable generation’s stability, dependability and generative effectiveness, dissolving opposing debates. Public and corporate buy-in is a byproduct of changing combatting mentalities about how much energy security renewables provide compared to coal. This will translate into job creation and more funded research on the impact of diversification projects.
Additionally, corporations must repurpose abandoned coal infrastructure to exhibit genuine headway toward sustainable living and a circular economy. Overcoming the hurdle requires multidisciplinary collaboration, especially with regulators, urban planners and engineers.
The transition will educate these related industries as they execute reimagined geotechnical assessments to promise the infrastructure’s long life after embedding energy equipment. Repurposing these grid-connected assets is essential for overcoming grid modernization and integration fears, primarily when addressing intermittency with seemingly disparate technologies — new and old.
Key Renewable Energy Sources for Diversification
Preventing supply chain stopgaps and bottlenecks in installation and production requires varied raw materials and technologies in the renewable energy stream. Each eco-friendly alternative provides unique advantages, and energy professionals require them all to forge a sturdy foundation for the coal transition, including:
- Solar: Cost effectiveness, accessibility and policy backing.
- Wind: Offshore potential and projected growth.
- Hydro: Unexplored expansion and consistency.
- Geothermal: Advancing technology and power density.
- Bioenergy: Versatility and feedstock diversity.
However, policy and regulatory frameworks are the most prominent resource for overcoming coal. Coal phase-out policies desiring traction must outline specificities. The disjointed relationship between local and central governments creates discord regarding standardization and auditing for accountability.
Packages like the Build Back Better plan in the U.S. and the Just Energy Transition Programme in Brazil are examples of pivotal action toward developing the workforce while healing the planet by repurposing fossil fuel sites. The American Rescue Plan sought to upskill and support coal communities through the transition, though funding access remains a concern as people question the longevity of targeted investments.
Role of Energy Professionals in Coal Transition
Diversification also allows coal workers to train in a more streamlined way. Offering many educational opportunities for green professionals will reinforce the sector holistically. Programs are already scarce. Funneling in swaths of transitioning coal miners to learn one type of renewable energy will extend project timelines. It will also take longer to build expertise in diverse technologies.
Getting fossil fuel workers in the door demonstrates growth potential within green power on a more notable scale. Case studies unveiling the coal transition in Indonesia reveal how much alternative energy adoption will benefit local communities and future educational frameworks.
Career advancement and opportunities abound in a budding industry, primarily when federal bodies back coal obsoletion. Expertise will grow with this hands-on experience, which aids professional associations, nonprofits and researchers in knowledge-sharing.
More Than One Solution
Energy security requires layers like any defensive strategy. Relying on one method will lead to inevitable delays in green energy progress. Diversifying the portfolio permits the sector to bank on the benefits of each, culminating in a stronger industry. Confident energy manufacturing, installation and long-term use will manifest in as many sustainable power generation methods as humanity invents.
About the author: Jane works as an environmental and energy writer. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Environment.co.
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 