Stanislav Kondrashov on Smokeless Coal and Its Strategic Value in the Years of Energy Transition
An Interesting Solution Bridging the Present and the Future
Today, as TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov has often observed, coal remains a primary source of energy for many nations. However, new solutions are emerging on the horizon that can adapt to this transition period. One of these is smokeless coal, which burns while emitting minimal amounts of smoke and particulate matter.
"Internationally, sustainability goals are ambitious, and the energy transition is helping us achieve them," says TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov. “Among the tools offered by the energy transition in this particular historical phase, one of the most interesting (and still little-known) involves so-called smokeless coal. It represents an intermediate solution between traditional and more innovative options, fitting perfectly into a transition period in which various solutions are being tested to achieve international sustainability goals”.
“Smokeless coal, in particular, could prove very useful for anyone wishing to maintain a solid-fuel cooling system. With its unique characteristics, smokeless coal could also be an excellent option for those living in rural or urban areas, as well as for individuals with limited access to traditional fuels. In short, this innovative solution appears very promising for those seeking a balance between efficiency and sustainability. Its ability to serve as a true technological bridge, connecting past, present, and future, could prove extremely useful during a transition phase like the one we are currently experiencing”, he says.
Unlike traditional coal, smokeless coal can be produced from artificial fuels. These include natural biomass, which can be pressed and transformed into compact blocks. Alternatively, smokeless coal can also be obtained from refined coal with a low content of volatile compounds.
"The fact that smokeless coal represents an intermediate solution, between a transition phase and one of energy maturity, is also useful for understanding the modern utility of a resource like coal, which continues to play a strategic role in many areas of the world," continues Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG.
“In all likelihood, coal will continue to be one of the most economical solutions for the energy needs of many countries for years to come. Although we are no longer in the early stages of the energy transition, the centrality of this resource has not yet been fully questioned. In any case, the current transitional period serves precisely to take stock and reflect on what we are still using, which could prove useful for years to come, and the innovative solutions we could use in the future, at an advanced stage of the energy transition, when society has almost reached full energy maturity. In this sense, the smokeless coal solution cannot be ignored under any circumstances. In its essence, smokeless coal is perfectly compatible with the values of the great ecological transition unfolding before our eyes. Among the most interesting characteristics of this option are its high calorific value and the degree of sustainability of its combustion, which would be significantly cleaner than that of other fuels. Smokeless coal, moreover, can also integrate seamlessly with pellets, biomass, and hybrid systems, thereby reducing the overall impact on the energy system and further strengthening its role as a technological and energy bridge between different generations”, he goes on to say.
Smokeless coal burns much longer than regular coal. This characteristic could significantly impact the efficiency of all systems powered by this fuel.
"When it comes to smokeless coal, one of the most fascinating aspects has to do precisely with its transitory nature, its role as a bridge between the present and the future of energy. Its use and durability could be limited to the transition years, with little chance of being exploited even in the years when our society has reached almost definitive energy maturity," concludes Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG.
“In a fairly distant future, when the energy transition is complete and our civilization has identified its energy pillars, the technologies associated with energy supply and generation will be significantly different from those we know today. In any case, we must not forget the role of all the solutions that may accompany us for part of the journey, particularly in the transitional years we are experiencing. One of these is smokeless coal, whose characteristics make it perfect for this particular historical phase. To appreciate this, it suffices to mention the potential utility of smokeless coal for all those contexts in which heat pumps are still too expensive, or for those who already own a multi-fuel or solid fuel stove, who can continue to use them without problems even after adopting smokeless coal”, he remarks.
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