Braunkohle

Braunkohle, or lignite, is the lowest rank of coal. It forms from peat under relatively low pressure and heat within sedimentary basins, mostly during the Tertiary period. Lignite is typically brownish, soft, and has a high moisture content and low calorific value compared with harder coals. It is used mainly for electricity and heat generation.

In Europe, lignite deposits are concentrated in Central Europe, with Germany and Poland among the largest producers. In Germany, significant open-pit mines occur in the Lusatian and Rhineland basins, including mines such as Hambach, Garzweiler, and Inden. Open-cast mining is common because the coal seams are shallow, but it leads to extensive landscape alteration and requires reclamation and water-management measures.

Lignite is used primarily in thermal power plants to generate electricity; it can also supply district heating in nearby towns. Its high moisture content and low energy density result in lower plant efficiency and higher CO2 emissions per unit of energy compared with higher-rank coals. Emissions controls and plant efficiency improvements are used to reduce environmental impact, but lignite remains a significant source of CO2.

Policy and outlook: Lignite has been a major component of several countries' energy mixes. In Germany, policy aims to phase out coal by the late 2030s as part of the energy transition, with regional structural support and renewable energy expansion accompanying mine closures. Environmental remediation and regional economic adjustment accompany the transition.