Energy density and entrenched profit structures are big ones for sure. :/
Comment on Why is coal and fossil fuels still used?
Brkdncr@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Established supply chain, workforce knowledge. Energy density. Ease of use.
Asafum@feddit.nl 1 day ago
TranquilTurbulence@lemmy.zip 11 hours ago
The cost of the raw material is low enough to make it a viable option for the time being. There are also costs associated with switching to renewable options, which makes the transition slower.
Think of it from the perspective of a coal plant owner. You’ve already spent millions into construction and maintenance, so you really want some return on that investment.
When the plant reaches its end of life, that’s usually the best time to start considering other options. If the running costs rise dramatically or you are required to modernize the plant, that could be another time to take a look at other options.