<Dd> T h = 418 K = 145 o C (\ displaystyle T_ (h) \, = \, 418 \, (K) = 145 ^ (o) (C)) </Dd> <P> This temperature is presumably much lower than the actual steam temperature due to several losses . </P> <P> Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel on the planet, and widely used as the source of energy in thermal power stations . It is a relatively cheap fuel, with some of the largest deposits in regions that are stable politically, such as China, India and the United States . This contrasts with natural gas, the largest deposits of which are located in Russia, Iran, Qatar, Turkmenistan and the US . Solid coal cannot directly replace natural gas or petroleum in most applications, petroleum is mostly used for transportation and the natural gas not used for electricity generation is used for space, water and industrial heating . Coal can be converted to gas or liquid fuel, but the efficiencies and economics of such processes can make them unfeasible . Vehicles or heaters may require modification to use coal - derived fuels . Coal is an impure fuel and produces more greenhouse gas and pollution than an equivalent amount of petroleum or natural gas . For instance, the operation of a 1000 - MWe coal - fired power plant results in a nuclear radiation dose of 490 person - rem / year, compared to 136 person - rem / year, for an equivalent nuclear power plant including uranium mining, reactor operation and waste disposal . </P> <P> As of 2009 the largest coal - fired power station is Taichung Power Plant in Taiwan . The world's most energy - efficient coal - fired power plant is the Avedøre Power Station in Denmark . </P>

A power plant that burns fossil fuels with a nuclear power plant