Solid fuel

[3][4] Solid fuel from biomass is regarded as a renewable energy source which can contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

As with any fire, burning wood fuel creates numerous by-products, some of which may be useful (heat and steam), and others that are undesirable, irritating or dangerous.

[13] Peat fuel is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter that can be burnt once sufficiently dried.

Throughout history, coal has been used as an energy resource, primarily burned for the production of electricity and heat, and is also used for industrial purposes, such as refining metals.

It is the solid carbonaceous material derived from destructive distillation of low-ash, low-sulfur bituminous coal.

[12] Solid fuels which produce little smoke or volatiles are made from powdered anthracite coal and supplied in the form of briquettes usually for domestic use either in stoves or open fireplaces.

These are somewhat ideal values and the actual heat realized by any fuel will depend on the fireplace or combustion chamber used and its design for example.

Dry wood has roughly two thirds the calorific value of coal so a greater weight is needed to make the same amount of heat.

[14] Coal, in particular, is utilized in the generation of 38% of the world's electricity because it is less expensive than its liquid and gas counterparts.

[3] Solid fuels require more destructive methods to extract/burn and often have higher carbon, nitrate and sulphate emissions.

With the exception of sustainable wood/biomass solid fuel is normally considered non-renewable as it requires thousands of years to form.