Abstract
This paper discusses the use of fossil fuel for massive energy generation. It describes the debate over the use of fossil fuels - citing the arguments both for and against their use. It focuses on the reasons why fossil fuel production is important and necessary and describes the benefits of its use. The paper then looks at the environmental concerns regarding the use of coal for electricity production.

From the Paper
"Obviously, using any fossil fuel for massive energy generation will be a mixed bag. Developers will always be fighting a battle against environmental destruction, as fossil fuel technologies tend to be highly polluting and contribute to global warming through the production of carbon dioxide. Nonetheless, fossil fuels will be a significant component of the world's energy supply for at least the next few decades as no alternative energy source is currently mature enough to supplant fossil fuel technology. In the end, coal power--if properly utilized in technically advanced gasification plants--has the potential to provide cheap, plentiful power to the world with fewer environmental issues than would have been the case even a few decades ago. New technology makes sustainable coal power a possibility, if not a certainty."

Tags:carbon, dioxide, global, warming, power

Abstract
In this article, the writer builds on previous research and examines the potential that coal can be employed to generate power in a sustainable fashion. The final conclusion of the discussion is mixed. The writer maintains that coal's environmental record is not good, and even technical "fixes" can only improve the situation somewhat. Nevertheless, coal can be used in a surprisingly efficient and sustainable manner that warrants a closer look.

Tags:coal, energy, environment

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that there has been much debate about the best way to achieve energy independence in the West in recent years. Rising fossil fuel costs have made the issue of environmental sustainability even more acute. The writer discusses that in particular, volatility in the natural gas market has made coal a much more attractive means for producing electricity, at least from an economic standpoint. The writer discusses whether or not coal power can ever become a sustainable technology.

Tags:coal, sustainability, environment

Abstract
The paper posits that in the current climate, as efforts are being made to move away from burning fossil fuels for energy, it would be useful to recall the history of the use and then the lessening of the use of coal. The paper discusses how coal continues to be a necessity for heating in much of the world, but the prevalence of coal as a fuel has diminished since the time when that form of energy was primary, especially during the Industrial Revolution in Europe, and before the era of oil production.

From the Paper
"In the current climate, as efforts are being made to move away from burning fossil fuels for energy, it would be useful to recall the history of the use and then the lessening of the use of coal. Coal continues to be a necessity for heating in much of the world, but the prevalence of coal as a fuel has diminished since the time when that form of energy was primary, especially during the Industrial Revolution in Europe, and before the era of oil production. Peter N. Stearns defines the Industrial Revolution as "the application of new sources of power to the production process, achieved with transmission equipment necessary to apply this power to manufacturing" (5), and the key..."

Tags:coal, economy, society

Abstract
The paper examines the National Electricity Market (NEM) formed to facilitate the supply of electricity using free market principles. The paper describes the reforms made in the key sectors of the industry and analyzes the effects of such changes on consumers and society as a whole. The paper shows how the microeconomic reforms have helped free up competition, offer more choice to consumers and improved efficiency in distribution and production. The paper notes, however, that privatization of public assets is a contentious issue and has already imposed constraints on supply and resulted in higher prices in Victoria and South Australia. The paper concludes that it would be in the national interest to closely monitor progress with reforms within these states before similar policies are implemented elsewhere.

From the Paper
"A substantial policy shift in Australia, since the 1980s, has been for microeconomic reforms within key industries, to offer greater efficiency in economy and decrease red tape, lowering barriers to entry for competitors in the hope of creating a pure free market. Thus since the 1990s focus has moved to the electricity industry, to further reforms made in other sectors in the economy. Electricity is an essential commodity, vital for sustained growth and development throughout the whole economy. The electrical industry is also an industry traditionally dominated by the states, which fostered their own - often inefficient - public utilities, which were in charge of generation, distribution and retail, often with little or no private competition."

Tags:privatization, competition, choice, efficiency, supply, distribution, production, price-gouging, monopolies

Abstract
The following paper gives the reader a brief history of coal and its uses. It also analyzes the refining technique known as the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle or IGCC as well as some history and new technologies associated with this fossil fuel.

From the Paper
"Coal is a sedimentary organic rock that contains a lot of carbon, typically between 40 and 90 percent carbon by weight. Ancient plants and animals accumulating in moist peat bogs form coal. As plants die off in a wet area, they pile up into peat. It takes between 4,000 and 100,000 years for one meter of peat to accumulate. This process happens best in river deltas or coastal plains. Over time, further deposits compress these peat seams and the carbon content of the coal is concentrated. The older the coal gets, generally, the harder and blacker it gets. There are four "ranks" of coal. Listed from lowest to highest rank, they are: lignite, subbituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. Rank is determined by energy content and chemical composition. Lignite is the youngest form of coal and is soft and brown, not much different than dried peat. Lignite has a low energy content, typically about 13 million Btu per ton. The carbon content is low also, around 40 percent. Lignite is typically used only when higher grades of coal are not available or affordable. Subbituminous coal is common in the US. It has an energy content of about 18 million Btu per ton, and is used mostly in coal-fired power plants. Bituminous coal is the most widespread form in the US and is high in energy content, averaging 24 million Btu per ton. Bituminous and subbituminous account for most coal use in America. The hardest coal, anthracite, is found mostly in Pennsylvania, but most supplies of anthracite there have been exhausted. The energy content is high, around 23 million Btu per ton, but it tends to have a high sulfur content. It is more than 90 percent carbon. "

Tags:coal, combined, cycle, gasification, integrated, gas, refined, mine, minerals, rocks

Abstract
This paper explains why electricity may be considered the greatest invention. Reasons include electricity's ability to provide power, the speed of electricity, and its programmability.

From the Paper
"Mankind has enlightened the world with many discoveries and improved life on earth with countless inventions but the greatest of these is electricity. Although naturally occurring in the environment electricity was of no use to man until someone discovered it and developed a way to harness it. From that point on many of the succeeding inventions have been dependent on electricity computers the Internet most of medical science and many forms of modern transportation. The three primary reasons that electricity was the greatest invention are ..."

Tags:electricity, power, speed, programmability, invention

Abstract
In this article, the writer explores the effect of weather changes on electricity consumption. The writer summarizes the article 'Time-of-Day Electricity Consumption Response to Temperature and the Ownership of Air Conditioning Appliances' by Lee A Lillard and Dennis J Aigner and includes support by other authors.

From the Paper
"In the article 'Time-of-Day Electricity Consumption Response to Temperature and the Ownership of Air Conditioning Appliances' by Lee A Lillard and Dennis J Aigner, the authors investigate the relationship of air conditioner ownership and electricity consumption by time of day. They examine consumption in conjunction with temperature level and household responsiveness to temperature variation along with other household characteristics highlighting the implications for estimated consumption price elasticities. Their research examined the phenomenon of weather affecting electrical consumption and found ..."

Tags:weather, electricity consumption, air conditioner

Abstract
This paper shows how globalization has, in part, been to blame in terms of North America's flagging automobile production industry. The paper examines the evolution of production techniques that also indicates that strengthening Japanese production and lagging US production techniques have led to the current state of affairs, where Japan now supersedes the US. The paper discusses how the booming Chinese economy looks also likely to have an impact on North American production in the future, indicating that North American automobile production is becoming a "sunset sector".

From the Paper
"The setting sun of the North American automobile production industry is becoming increasingly noticed and oft-sited. Panicked cultural observers have noted the restructuring of the global automobile production industry, with an obvious skewing towards Asian market entrants in contrast to North American production. As the present paper proves, globalization has, in part, been to blame in terms of North America's flagging automobile production industry. A glance..."

Tags:automobile, production, america

Abstract
This paper explains that Japan's global economy, which is a highly industrialized society, is an excellent example of a country that has little geographic area to exploit, and so it must remain economically viable by other means. The author points out that the major manufacturing regions in Japan are mainly congregated along the coast and in the largest cities, such as Tokyo and Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, and Nagoya. Some of the major industries in Japan include machinery production, automobiles, ships, steel, and high-technology, including electrical goods and electronic appliances. The paper relates that Japanese resources, like the land itself, are less prevalent than in many larger nations; therefore, they are dependent on other nations for many of their non-renewable resources, such as oil. However, they do produce coal, crude oil, and natural gas.

From the Paper
"Japan's agricultural industries are not as prevalent as many others in the world, but what they do have they utilize quite effectively. The Japanese import large amounts of wheat, sorghum, and soybeans, but they grow enough rice to feed their people with a small surplus, and they are beginning to export specialty agricultural items such as Kobe beef. Other agricultural industries in the country include fishing and poultry production. Rice is so important to the Japanese that in ancient times, it was used as money, and it still plays an important part in their culture and everyday lives. Because of this, rice is their biggest agricultural product, but fishing is also important, with significant amounts of salmon, tuna, and various other fish and shellfish harvested and used nationally or exported. They also fish many fresh-water areas throughout the island, making the most of the resources they have and can access."

Tags:agriculture, finance, industrialized, resources, high-technology