Coal used for energy is normally "steam coal," also known as "thermal coal." Almost 75 percent of the world's coal consumption results from five countries in the world, including the U.S., India, China, Russia and Japan. The Asian continent accounts for more than 50 percent of the world's production of coal.
The majority of the energy and power generated by coal power plants is used for electricity for homes and other buildings. By burning coal, heat creates steam from boiling water, which acts upon turbines, spinning them. These turbines connect to generators, which create electricity.
The energy that coal produces helps the process of steel creation. Metallurgical coke is processed and used to smelt iron. The resulting product is then treated and processed into steel, making modern day construction possible.
Used in the creation of gasoline, coal is processed to create syngas, a combination of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas. The majority of gas creation revolves around two different processes: liquefaction and gasification, both of which result in the creation of syngas. Common fuels are then manufactured out of syngas and are used in transportation systems, such as cars, planes and trains.
The coking process, used normally to produce steel, is also used to produce various other materials. This includes coal tar, commonly used for medicinal purposes to treat a variety of illnesses, including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and many other skin disorders.
Another common product is ammonia, which is used in a variety of circumstances. Ammonia's uses are broad, including its role in fertilizers, explosives, cleaners and disinfectants. Numerous light oils--especially those in kerosene lamps--are created from the coking process. These were used as a primary source of energy for lighting in the past and are still regularly used today.