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Both environmental regulation (ER) and different pollutants emission are characterized by differentiation, but the nonlinear relationship between different intensities of ER and different levels of pollutants emission has not yet been elaborated. This paper examines the nonlinear effects of ER at different intensities on PM 2.5 and CO 2 at different states with the help of cutting-edge Quantile on Quantile Approach (QQA), comprehensively reveals the inner law of ER to promote pollutants synergistic reduction. This study found that, both PM 2.5 and CO 2 show obvious regional differences but are not polarized. ER can effectively help reduce PM 2.5 and CO 2 in average, and this reduction effect is more obvious for central-western cities. The effects of different intensities of ER on different states of PM 2.5 and CO 2 have obvious nonlinear spillover characteristics. The impact of ER on PM 2.5 shows wave-like changes. Increasing ER intensity has a stronger inhibitory effect on PM 2.5 of high scale, but when PM 2.5 is relatively low, moderate ER is needed to match it, and excessive intensity of ER will be detrimental to reduce PM 2.5. The negative impact of ER on CO 2 fluctuates relatively stable. ER at high quantiles have more obvious reduction effect on CO 2 of high levels, but excessive intensity of ER is not conducive to reduce CO 2. Achieve the synergistic reduction of PM 2.5 and CO 2 should not only consider the differences in ER between regions, but also to combine the scale differences of pollution and carbon emission. Our study suggests that the improvement of synergistic emission reduction system needs to consider the strength of ER and the level of pollutants emission according to local conditions, which will help to realize green development more efficiently. • Assessing the impacts of different intensities of ER on different levels of PM 2.5 and CO 2. • The use of QQ approach can obtain richer nonlinear information. • The effects of ER on PM 2.5 and CO 2 are asymmetric and heterogeneous. • Increasing ER intensity has a stronger inhibitory effect on PM 2.5 of high scale. • Nonlinear changes in the negative impact of ER on CO2 fluctuates relatively stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the completion of the poverty alleviation task in China, the Chinese economy has made great breakthroughs. Meanwhile, the implementation of Chinese "dual carbon" goal has entered an important window period of both strategic opportunities and difficulties. The emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) leads to the greenhouse effect, which affects the sustainable development of society. Therefore, this paper proposes an improved analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with Slacks-based measure integrating data envelopment analysis (SBMDEA) (AHP-SBMDEA) based efficiency evaluation model for different provincial-level administrative regions in China, which is used to analyze and optimize the Chinese energy structure of different provincial-level administrative regions. With coal, gasoline, petroleum, fuel oil, diesel, crude oil and natural gas as inputs, the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the desired output and the CO2 as the undesired output, after linear weighted calculation of the results of the AHP-SP model and the SBMDEA model, the energy efficiency evaluation model of different provincial administrative regions in China is established. The results show that there is a large difference in efficiency between Chinese northern and southern regions, and the overall efficiency of southern regions is higher than that of northern regions. In addition, it is easier to find out the optimal energy efficiency benchmark, which can provide suggestions and help to guide the energy consumption input structure improvement of other inefficient provincial-level administrative regions. Furthermore, the energy structure can also be adjusted through the redundant variable calculated by the SBMDEA model. For example, Sichuan Province can reduce the consumption of the coal, the gasoline, the diesel, the fuel oil, the crude oil and the natural gas by 5269.95 × 10000 tons (WT), 513.01 WT, 59.05 WT, 34.37 WT, 4,73.33 WT and 130.37 billion cubic meters (BCM), respectively. Its CO2 emissions can be reduced by 1925.4 WT, and raise the efficiency of energy utilization in the province. [Display omitted] • Novel economy and CO 2 emissions evolution model based on a AHP-SBMDEA is proposed. • The proposed model can identify the optimal energy efficiency benchmark. • GDP per capita can be increased and CO 2 emissions can be decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Many studies have investigated energy utilization of crop straw; however, there has been little analysis in the literature from the perspective of willingness to accept compensation. This study is one of the first studies to introduce the variable trust into the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, and it mainly the factors influencing rural households' willingness to accept compensation for energy utilization of crop straw. The results show that a certain amount of compensation—approximately 0.95%–1.62% of the average family annual income —encourages households to participate in energy utilization of crop straw. This means that a reasonable compensation standard is an important means of coordinating the relationship between economic development and protection of the natural environment. This paper also finds that, in addition to the factors (time cost expectation , economic cost expectation, influence from persons with high education , influence from persons with high income) in the original Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model, trust in neighbors, as one aspect of the interpersonal trust, and trust in village cadres, as one aspect of the institutional trust, all exert a significant influence on rural households' willingness to accept. This paper therefore recommends linking energy utilization of crop straw to broader attempts to strengthen trust. Highlights • Rural households' willingness to accept compensation for energy utilization of crop straw is the focus. • Trust is introduced into the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. • Interpersonal trust and institutional trust significantly influence households' willingness to accept compensation. • Proper compensation helps households adopting energy utilization of crop straw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiencing extremely severe and persistent haze pollution in the past several years, China is among the world's most polluted countries with air pollution. As a relatively clean fossil fuel, natural gas is considered as a transitional energy for China's green and low-carbon development. Can natural gas use really improve air quality effectively? It is an important question but remains unanswered because of an estimation endogeneity. A major challenge in estimating this unwatched pollution reduction is how to accurately and cleanly identify the air quality impact from natural gas utilization in urban environments. This paper tries to provide comprehensive estimates for this problem. Based on a national policy of trans-regional natural gas allocation, this paper employs differences-in-differences method to identify the net effects of natural gas utilization on air quality in Chinese cities. Our estimates imply that PM 2.5 concentrations in treatment group cities decreased by about 12% after the natural gas pipeline construction. The mechanism analysis shows that natural gas utilization has a substantial impact on urban haze pollution mainly through the improvement of the industrial energy mix and the change in urban household gas fuels. Furthermore, natural gas utilization can bring a co-benefit of reducing other typical air pollutants. The findings can provide new insights to the role of natural gas utilization in China's green and low-carbon development. • Natural gas utilization's effect on air quality is studied. • A quasi-natural experiment is constructed using the West to East Pipeline Project. • Natural gas utilization has a significant reduction effect on haze pollution. • A co-benefit of reducing other air pollutants is found in natural gas utilization. • The expansion of natural gas utilization is of great significance to current China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studied the carbon peak through the cross-analysis of low-carbon economics and deep learning. The STIRPAT model and ridge regression was used to distinguish and rank the importance of influencing factors to carbon emissions. In addition, an innovative GA-LSTM model was constructed for prediction. It combined the scenario analysis to explore the path of China's low-carbon development. The results showed that China's carbon emissions have been showing a growing trend, and among the many influencing factors, only the technological level had an inhibitory effect on carbon emissions. China's carbon peak will be reached around 2030 under all three scenarios of benchmark, steady growth, and green development, with peak values of 11.82, 11.94, and 11.64 billion tons, respectively. Meanwhile, there was a big difference in the rate of change in China's carbon emissions before and after the carbon peak. The rising-rate was faster before the carbon emission peak, while the decline rate was slower after the peak. This paper argued that China should start from the energy consumption structure and industrial structure to promote the development of emission reduction work and, at the same time, vigorously promote the effect of the technological level of emission reduction. • The cross-analysis of the low carbon economy and deep learning is used for research. • A GA-LSTM model was built to predict the carbon peak in China. • Scenario analysis is applied to explore China's scientific emission reduction path. • China's 2030 carbon peak target is likely to be met. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of energy consumption in the residential sector experienced a rapid growth trend over the past 40 years, of which residential energy consumption in rural areas was an important reason for the quick growth in energy consumption. With the continuous development of farmland rental market, rural factor allocation efficiency and household income were improved in the actual world, which affected residential energy consumption. Thus, the main goal of this paper was to study the impact of farmland rental market participation on residential energy consumption by using a data set that covered 5018 effective samples. And the instrumental variable (IV) approach and the mediation effect model were used to test empirically the impact of farmland rental market participation on residential energy consumption. Compared with the existing studies, the main contributions of this paper were that: (i) a systematic theoretical model for the relationship between farmland rental market participation and residential energy consumption was established, which expanded the research perspective; (ii) the mediation effects of labor migration to urban areas and household income for the relationship between farmland rental market participation and residential energy consumption were analyzed, which enriched the research conclusions. The results indicated that: (i) compared with farm households without renting in land, residential energy consumption and electricity consumption for farm households with renting in land were significantly increased by 12.52% and 9.53%, respectively; (ii) expanding farm size decreased significantly the number of labor migration to urban areas by 16.31%, which boosted residential energy consumption; (iii) expanding farm size increased significantly household income by 7.68%, which raised residential energy consumption. This study was conducive to not only enhancing the sustainable economic development, but also expanding and improving the research conclusions of the existing literature. • expanding farm size enhanced significantly residential energy consumption. • renting-out land affected insignificantly residential energy consumption. • expanding farm size boosted residential energy consumption by reducing labor migration to urban areas. • expanding farm size enhanced residential energy consumption by raising household income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational planning for remote integrated energy systems is of great importance for demand guarantee and sustainable development of remote areas. A critical challenge is that comprehensive factors, e.g., technical, economic, environmental, and social, which are inherently intertwined, should be properly evaluated and balanced in terms of social benefits. In addition, the feasibility of each planning scheme can only be verified based on their local electrical conditions by employing multi-energy flow calculations. Thus, this paper develops a comprehensive methodology for the optimal planning of remote integrated energy systems taking into account the uncertainty of renewable energy, where a multi-criteria decision-making procedure is designed, including the candidate set construction, remote integrated energy systems modeling, multi-energy flow calculation of the candidates, index definition and selection, and the optimal scheme determination. The methodology is applied to a case study in Lankao County, China. The optimal scheme, selected by the proposed multi-criteria decision-making procedure from 432 candidates, shows the best comprehensive performance, which is verified by different ranking methods. The optimal scheme can rank in the top 13% of each aspect on average, with economic and environmental aspects ranking in the top 2%. The methodology can help decision-makers find reasonable solutions for energy system planning in remote areas. • A comprehensive methodology for planning remote integrated energy systems is proposed. • Refined multi-energy flow calculation fitting with remote area characteristics is presented. • Multi-criteria decision-making procedure realizes high social benefits. • A real case in Lankao is performed to verify the rationality of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerating the upgrading of traditional energy industries has become a key area of concern for global green and sustainable development. Notably, few existing studies have focused on the spatial-temporal variability of energy industry advancedization and its resource-environment decoupling effect. This paper was the first to measure China's energy industry advancedization index based on the perspective of industry chain elements and value chain structure, analyzed the spatial-temporal evolution and elemental characteristics, and explored the resource-environment decoupling effect and nonlinear impact. The results showed that energy industry advancedization in China displayed a slow-growth trend from 2008 to 2020, and the spatial unevenness of energy industry capital and workforce advancedization gradually deepened. The decoupling effect of resource endowment dependence in the evolution of energy industry advancedization was better than that of environmental pollution, the spatial decoupling process was better in the eastern and central regions than in the western and northeastern regions, and the decoupling pressure of resources and environment in some regions was still significant. The trend of the nonlinear effect of energy industry advancedization on resource endowment dependence and environmental pollution showed an inverted "N" and "N" shape, respectively, and the nonlinear effect had obvious stage characteristics and regional heterogeneity. • An advancedization index is measured based on the energy industry value chain. • Low levels of energy industry advancedization are mostly energy-enriched areas. • The regional unevenness of the energy industry elements advancedization is deepening. • The pressure of resource-environment decoupling in the energy industry still exists. • Energy industry upgrading effects on resource-environment are nonlinear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the regulatory policies, feed-in tariffs (FIT) and renewable portfolio standards (RPS) are the most popular to promote the development of renewable energy power industry. This paper uses system dynamics (SD) to establish models of long-term development of China's biomass power industry under FIT and RPS schemes, and provides a case study by using scenario analysis method. The model, on the one hand, not only clearly shows the complex logical relationship between the factors but also reveals the process of coordination between the two policy tools in the development of the industry. On the other hand, it provides a reference for scholars to study similar problems in different countries, thereby facilitating an understanding of biomass power's long-term sustainable development pattern under FIT and RPS schemes, and helping to provide references for policy-making institutions. The results show that in the perfect competitive market, the implementation of RPS can promote long-term and rapid development of China's biomass power industry given the constraints and actions of the mechanisms of RPS quota proportion, the TGC valid period, and fines, compared with FIT. At the end of the paper, policy implications are offered as references for the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environment-friendly development of wind power is complicated as the atmospheric impacts of wind farms are difficult to measure. Wind power has made contributions to emission reduction, but it is undeniable that the substantial wind farms (SWFs) have had a non-negligible impact on the local ABL. This paper aims to provide a reliable methodological scheme and practical data for human beings to objectively understand the development of wind power. Based on the data from one of the Chinese gigawatt-scale wind power bases in Zhangbei County of Hebei Province, the mesoscale simulations were conducted to explore the impacts of substantial wind farms on the local and regional atmosphere. The results show that: (i) the impact of substantial wind farms on the local area is significant and sustained, while this impact on the regional area is slight and occasional; (ii) it can bring about the seasonal and diurnal differences in the local ABL property; (iii) it can not only induce the horizontal turbulence directly caused by wind turbine wake flow, but also produce the vertical mixing in the near-surface ABL. A systematic analysis of wind power potential and its atmospheric impact is urgent to ensure sustainable development of wind power. • Wind power brings significant and sustained local atmospheric impacts. • The WRF model coupled with WTDP is capable to explore such impacts. • Filling the gaps in the practical assessment of gigawatt-scale wind power. • The seasonal and diurnal impacts of SWFs are quantitatively assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global carbon emission control and resource conservation are important measures to realize sustainable development goals. There are few researches on carbon emissions from the perspective of congestion with the data envelopment analysis method. Congestion effects not only help us to reduce carbon emissions, but also achieve reasonable allocation of resources. This paper expands traditional congestion into undesirable congestion and desirable congestion, and both are divided into undesirable congestion of energy (capital) and desirable congestion of energy (capital) in 30 Chinese provinces with a two-stage model. So, purely technical inefficiency is separated from congestion, and energy and capital utilization can be analyzed simultaneously. The results show that: (1) China has a higher carbon emission reduction potential under natural disposability than that under managerial disposability. (2) The number of provinces with undesirable congestion of energy in the eastern region is small, while that with undesirable congestion of capital in the western region is small. (3) The number of provinces with desirable congestion increases. Desirable congestion of energy and capital is mainly concentrated in the eastern and central regions. Exploring the congestion effects of energy and capital will help China to achieve "dual carbon" targets and promote the environmental, social, and governance investment. • Carbon emission reduction potential is studied from the perspective of congestion. • Two-stage undesirable and desirable congestion models are constructed innovatively. • Energy and capital inputs are separated from other inputs in the congestion model. • Rational allocation of resources is realized based on energy and capital congestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the requirements of China's regional coordination and green low-carbon development strategy, using provincial balanced panel data from 1998 to 2017, this paper reveals how the spatial functional division affects carbon emissions and discusses the regulatory effect of transportation and communication infrastructure on the relationship between the spatial functional division and carbon emissions. The research conclusions are as follows. First, with the deepening of spatial functional division, the carbon emissions show a significant inverted U-shaped trend, and this result remains robust after taking into account location differences and spatial form. Second, the number of provinces where the spatial functional division exceeds the inflection point gradually increases; however, the level of spatial functional division in most provinces is insufficient. Third, the mechanism analysis indicates that market integration and technological progress are important channels through which spatial functional division affects carbon emissions. Finally, the enhancement of transportation and communication infrastructure contributes to the carbon reduction effect of the spatial functional division. In a context where the link between agglomeration and carbon emissions has been widely explored, this paper provides new evidence and cases for thinking about the synergistic development of industrial agglomeration and carbon emissions reduction from the perspective of functional division. [Display omitted] • The impact of spatial functional division on carbon emissions is explored. • The spatial functional division in several provinces beyond the inflection point. • Market integration and technological progress are important influencing paths. • Transportation and communication infrastructure have moderating effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between hydroelectricity consumption and economic growth in China, while controlling for fossil fuel consumption, financial development, capital, institutional quality and globalization and its components for the period, 1970–2014. We have employed the Bayer and Hanck, (2013) combined cointegration test to examine the long-run relationships between those variables as well as the autoregressive distributed lag method with structural breaks as a robustness check. The empirical findings demonstrate a long-run relationship between those variables. Hydroelectricity consumption, fossil fuel consumption, capital, financial development and globalization and its components have a positive influence on GDP in China. The findings also provide predominant evidence on the long-run feedback hypothesis between the variables. The findings suggest that policies should be implemented to increase the role hydropower in the energy mix for sustainable economic growth in the country. Highlights • We examine the relationship between hydropower consumption and economic growth in China. • We control for fossil fuel consumption, financial development, capital, institutions and globalization. • We employ the Bayer and Hanck, (2013) cointegration test and ARDL bounds-testing method with structural breaks. • The findings demonstrate a long-run relationship between those variables. • The explanatory and control variables have positive influence on GDP in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a meta-frontier nonparametric approach to construct the slacks-based composite indicator considering heterogeneity. The meta-frontier approach is useful to control and study the impact of potential heterogeneity in constructing composite indicator. In virtue of the Malmquist index, we further study tracking the evolvement of the constructed meta-frontier slacks-based composite indicator over time, and quantifying the driving forces behind the change. The proposed approach has been applied to assess China's regional sustainable energy utilization capacity during 2005–2010. Our empirical results show that all the three regions, i.e. the eastern, central and western, in China experience deterioration in sustainable energy development level. The best practice gap change and technology gap change are identified as the main contributors to the declining trend. Hence, improving the general production technology and enhancing technology diffusion among regions can help to promote China's overall sustainable energy development level. At the provincial level, Beijing is found to maintain a good balance in improving efficiency and absorbing advanced technology, while other provinces show diverse performance during this time period. More results and discussions are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green transformation of the building industry plays a key role in China's goal of carbon neutrality. This paper creatively brings the green transformation behavior of the buildings industry into the Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model and widens the application to simulate the impact of green building subsidies and carbon emission tax on the green transformation of China's building industry. The DSGE model observes the changing trend of China's output, consumption, investment, and social welfare and provides references for policy-makers to realize sustainable economic development. The results show that the steady-state values of most main variables present an inverted U-shaped trend in the transformation. At the initial stage of the transformation, tax aggravation is good for carbon emission reduction but not for economic growth, while technical achievement and subsidies are contrary. Meanwhile, technical achievement brings the highest social welfare while subsidies bring the least. Urban analysis suggests that the large city shows more vitality and potential in consumption while there is a large growth room for capital investment in the small city in the future. When the transformation enters the middle and late stages, none of the above policies can further promote economic growth except technical achievement. • We introduce green transformation of the buildings industry into the DSGE model. • The carbon tax will reduce carbon emissions and economies in the early stage. • Technical progress and subsidies grow economies and emissions in the early stage. • Only technical progress can rise economies in the late stage of transformation. • Technical progress brings the highest welfare while subsidies bring the least. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has surpassed the United States to be the world's largest energy consumer, but a lot of energy was used to produce products for exporting to other countries. Presently, China faces a great challenge in energy security and environmental protection. This paper focuses on the energy embodied in China's foreign trade with a multi-regional input–output approach. Three versions of the GTAP (Global Trade Analysis Project) database were used to capture the trend and distribution of the embodied energy flows for China during 2001–2007. The results indicate that the energy embodied in the global trade is increasing rapidly, growing faster than the total direct energy exported in the same period. China is shown as an energy exporter in terms of embodied energy, and the embodied energy trade surplus increased from 156 million tons of oil equivalents (Mtoe) in 2001 to 514 Mtoe in 2007, with a proportion of domestic energy consumption increased from 14% to 23%. This paper also studies the effects of the energy-intensive industry restrictive export policy of China, and we find that this policy could reduce the national energy consumption and promote industrial structure upgrades effectively. However, the expansion of energy-intensive industries in other countries may reduce China's efforts for global energy saving and global warming alleviation. Our simulation shows that carbon leakage is about 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The building industry in China is energy-intensive, and promoting energy efficiency improvements and energy savings in this sector is of vital significance for its sustainable development. Using a proposed meta-frontier DEA approach, this paper investigates the key factors responsible for changes in the economy-wide energy efficiency and the sources of both energy inefficiency and energy-savings potential in China’s regional building industry for the 2000–2014 period by considering three aspects: the technology gap, scale efficiency, and pure technical efficiency. The results show that (1) during the sample period, the energy efficiency in China’s building industry increased significantly. Technological progress and improvements in pure technical efficiency were the two main contributors. (2) Energy inefficiency in China’s building industry was measured at 0.5836, indicating that more than half of the current total energy consumption in this sector was wasteful. The regional technology gap and pure technical inefficiency were the two main sources of energy inefficiency. (3) Energy inefficiency and the energy-savings potential in China’s building industry showed distinct spatial characteristics, indicating that the focus of future work should vary by province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An objective and accurate forecast of carbon emissions can provide the government with an important baseline for the implementation of the Green Economic Development Strategy. This paper considers the time-lag effect and the interaction effect of the influencing factors on carbon emissions simultaneously and establishes a new grey multivariate coupled model (CTGM(1,N)) for carbon emission projection by introducing the Choquet fuzzy integral and grey multivariate delay model. To further promote the prediction performance, the time-lag number of each influencing factor is determined by time-delay grey correlation analysis, and the whale optimization algorithm is designed to acquire the optimal parameters and accuracy of the model. The new model is designed to fitting carbon emissions data in three countries and compare it to six reference models. The performance test shows that the CTGM(1,N) model has high stability. The results of the forecasts show that China's carbon emissions are expected to rise by 1.17% by 2025 from 2020 levels. Meanwhile, emissions will decrease by 5.08% (US) and 0.88% (Japan). The prediction results were consistent with the development status of the three countries. According to the results, we can grasp the development trend of carbon emissions and formulate targeted strategies to achieve sustainable development. [Display omitted] • A new prediction mechanism is developed by complex effects. • A grey multivariate coupled time-delay model is proposed. • The model parameters are optimized by the whale optimization algorithm. • Comparative study shows that new model is superior to other various models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper is based on dynamic optimization methodology to investigate the economic energy efficiency issues in developing countries. The paper introduces some definitions about energy efficiency both in economics and physics, and establishes a quantitative way for measuring the economic energy efficiency. The linkage between economic energy efficiency, energy consumption and other macroeconomic variables is demonstrated primarily. Using the methodology of dynamic optimization, a maximum problem of economic energy efficiency over time, which is subjected to the extended Solow growth model and instantaneous investment rate, is modelled. In this model, the energy consumption is set as a control variable and the capital is regarded as a state variable. The analytic solutions can be derived and the diagrammatic analysis provides saddle-point equilibrium. A numerical simulation based on China is also presented; meanwhile, the optimal paths of investment and energy consumption can be drawn. The dynamic optimization encourages governments in developing countries to pursue higher economic energy efficiency by controlling the energy consumption and regulating the investment state as it can conserve energy without influencing the achievement of steady state in terms of Solow model. If that, a sustainable development will be achieved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Infrastructure development and energy efficiency improvement are crucial to the high-quality transformation of the economy. However, little literature discusses how infrastructure development affects the energy efficiency gap between regional manufacturing. This paper estimates the per capita capital stock of economic infrastructure and the green total factor energy efficiency of China's manufacturing industry. Unlike the prior grouping according to geographical location or other standards, this paper conducts a data-driven clustering method and convergence analysis on energy efficiency. Thirty provinces eventually converge into four clubs, and the gaps in energy efficiency between various clubs are found to persist. The results of the panel-ordered Probit model indicate that infrastructure development can reduce regional discrepancies in manufacturing's green total factor energy efficiency. This effect is heterogeneous in transportation infrastructure and power infrastructure. As time goes on, the marginal effect of infrastructure diminishes. Moreover, the established infrastructure reduces the regional disparities in energy efficiency, while the infrastructure under construction instead widens the gap. Some relevant policy recommendations are provided for future infrastructure planning and green development strategy based on the conclusions. • Clustering method and convergence analysis are applied to construct groups. • Energy efficiency gap between regional manufacturing persists. • Panel-ordered Probit model is adopted for analysis. • Infrastructure development can reduce regional discrepancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Value-added trade has increased rapidly in recent decades in the context of globalisation. This paper aims to measure the energy embodied in the value-added trade and the ecological relationships in the networks of the international construction industries. A hybrid method which combines ecological network analysis and the input–output method has been adopted. The direct energy intensities in most countries ranged from 0 to 3.0 trillion joules per million US$ and the dominant relationships were control and exploitation in the selected 15 years. For the construction sector, the negative relationships were dominant at 63.9% in Australia and 79.19% in China. The ratio of positive relationships increased from 24.3% to 31.5%, while the ratio of negative relationships declined from 75.7% to 68.5% over the 15 years. The mutualism index ranged from 0.72 to 0.98 over the 15 years, maintaining a value less than 1. In contrast, the synergism index had an increase of 12.2 over the 15 years. The results indicate that both direct energy intensity and the value-added ratio are important factors in relation to the energy embodied in value-added trade. Sectoral influence on the national industrial system has been interpreted in this paper to stimulate further research. • The energy embodied in the value-added trade of the international construction industries. • The combination of ecological and economic connections in an analysis of value-added trade. • The influence of specific construction sectors on the network depending on flow capacity. • The exploitation and control relationships that dominate the value-added trade system. • The balance between the value-added ratio and energy intensity in sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to assess the status and progress of rural household energy sustainable development in China. A new composite indicator, rural energy sustainable development index (RESDI), is developed based on the improved grouped principal component analysis method (GPCA) which is the combination utilization of principal component analysis (PCA), factor analysis (FA), and entropy weight method. The improved grouped principal component analysis method keeps the advantages of principal component analysis and factor analysis. To capture the characters of rural energy sustainable development, ten indicators selected based on the criteria presented by OECD are designed to construct the RESDI. The main results are as follows. The RESDI increased from 0.185 in 1991 to 3.189 in 2012. However, the curve of RESDI can be divided into three phases: a slow increase stage between 1991 and 1996, a rapid decrease stage from 1997 to 1998, and a rapid increase stage between 1999 and 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The use of natural gas in China is still relatively immature, as gas production only supplies a low percentage of the domestic energy system. In contrast, Chinese economy mainly relies on coal with a 67% share of the total primary energy supply. The environmental impact from this high coal dependence is significant and planners have sought for cleaner energy sources. Natural gas is both cleaner and generally more efficient than coal and gas consumption is rising quickly due to these facts. The growth tendency indicates that natural gas will become an important substitution for coal in some parts of the Chinese primary energy consumption. To quantify this tendency, this paper uses a system dynamics model to create a possible outlook. The results show that the gas consumption in China will continue to increase fast to 89.5 billion cubic meters in 2010; 198.2 billion cubic meters in 2020, before finally reach 340.7 billion cubic meters in 2030. Scenario analysis is used to assess the accuracy of the results. Finally, this paper gives policy suggestions on natural gas exploration and development, infrastructure constructions and technical innovations to promote a sustainable development of China’s natural gas industry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The distribution of energy and industry in China is extremely uneven. The western region is rich in energy resources but relatively economically backward, while the eastern region, particularly, the southeast coastal area, is an industrially-developed area but is short of energy resources. On the basis of such a situation, this paper recommends the sustainable development of energy systems for the western region. The specific innovative energy systems adopted here can convert the western region''s fossil fuels to alternative fuels and electricity with higher efficiency, lower investment cost, and less impact upon the environment. As one of such innovative energy systems, the MES (multi-functional energy system) can achieve 10–14% in the energy conservation ratio, 4–8% reduction of investment cost, and a 10–37% decrease of main pollutants. Moreover, its adoption will increase the income and accelerate the development of the energy industry in the western region, as well as meet the energy demand of the eastern region. The analysis in this paper presents a feasible energy road map for the rapid yet sustainable development of China''s western region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this paper is to introduce geothermal energy resources, utilization, development roadmap, and government support in China. Over the last 20 years, China was the first place in the world in direct utilization of geothermal energy with total amount reaching 17,870 MWt in 2014, and with an increasing trend annually. Compared with the rapid increase of direct utilization, the development of geothermal power generation in China is not obvious in the past 40 years, with an installed capacity of 27.78 MWe, ranking 18th in the world at present. It is reported that geothermal heating area was up to 396 million square meters with an installed capacity of 1178 MWt in 2013. Research on HDR (hot dry rock) resources is in its infancy. Considering the recoverable coefficient of 2%, energy stored in HDR at a depth of 3.0–10.0 km is 4500 times the total energy consumption in China in 2013. In order to achieve sustainable development of geothermal energy in China, attention should be paid to the following aspects in the future: technology development of EGS (enhanced geothermal system), low cost and scale-up of geothermal power generation, cascade utilization in geothermal heating, and sustainable exploitation and utilization of geothermal reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major challenge for sustainable development is providing adequate energy services while mitigating adverse environmental effects, which unquestionably requires a reduction in the energy consumed per unit of real GDP (i.e. energy intensity) and novel energy technologies. However, our knowledge of how energy technologies influence energy intensity is incomplete. This paper thus empirically investigates the effects of energy technologies on energy intensity by dividing them into energy-conservation and energy-substitution technologies. Additionally, we classify energy technologies according to their executors, as having two purposes. Using a China's provincial dataset over 2000–2018, we find that energy-conservation technology plays a more important role in decreasing energy intensity compared to energy-substitution technology. In addition, from the purposes of these energy technologies, the energy technologies coming from utility-type enterprises exert the most significant effect on energy intensity reduction. Since the effect of energy technologies on energy intensity may be related to technology absorptive ability, an additional analysis based on the dynamic panel threshold model indicates that technology absorptive ability shows an important effect on energy intensity. • Energy-conservation technology decreases energy intensity with significance. • Energy-substitution technology decreases energy intensity through an indirect channel. • Utility-type technology from business is the most important for energy intensity reduction. • The effects of energy technologies on energy intensity are nonlinear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green economic growth and sustainable development complement each other, promoting green economic growth has important practical significance. However, the existing research focuses on qualitative analysis and less on quantitative analysis of the green economic growth. This study constructs a comprehensive index system of green economy, and uses entropy weighted TOPSIS method to evaluate the green economic growth from 2000 to 2017 in China. This study shows that:(1) Since the 21st century, China's green economy has been constantly improved. Ecological civilization and social progress are the main support for green economic growth. Economic development is secondary, and innovation-driven is lagging behind. (2) There are obvious regional differences in green economic growth. The eastern region is obviously better than the central and western regions, but the overall regional differences are shrinking. At the same time, the green economic growth shows obvious spatial agglomeration effect. (3) Population size, economic development level, technological innovation, industrial structure, urbanization, environmental regulation and FDI have impacts on the green economic growth, but the spatial effect of each influencing factor is different. In the process of developing the green economy, policy-makers should fully combine the spatiotemporal evolution of the green economy and its influencing factors, and make targeted policies. • This paper measures China's green economic growth. • Entropy weighted TOPSIS framework is employed. • China has made great progress in green economic growth. • China's green economic growth has obvious regional heterogeneity. • China's green economic growth has a spatial effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's carbon emissions have been ranking first in the world. This study filled in the gaps in research, decomposed carbon intensity from the perspective of time, space and industry. A decoupling effort model based on factor decomposition models was constructed to analyze the driving factors of carbon emissions and economic decoupling, which builded a foundation for achieving sustainable economic development. Using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index method (LMDI), the paper measured the carbon emission intensity of 29 provinces and cities in China from 1998 to 2019, and decomposed the decoupling effect between GDP and carbon emission on the basis of factor decomposition by tapio. The results showed that: (1) Carbon intensity declined first, then rise lightly, and finally declined steadily. For the primary industry and the tertiary industry, the carbon intensity declined steadily, while the carbon intensity increased accordingly to the overall carbon intensity. In terms of spatial evolution, the regional differences between different provinces decreased correspondingly. (2) The cumulative contribution rates of these three effects, i.e., technological progress, industrial structure and regional scale were 106.3299%, −15.1486% and 8.8188%, respectively. There were obvious differences of these cumulative contribution rates of carbon intensity among different provinces. (3) From the perspective of industrial, technological progress effect is the largest contribution for carbon intensity in the secondary industry. The Industrial structure effect mainly affects the primary and tertiary industries; and no significant difference in regional scale effect. (4) The decoupling effect gradually improved, and technological progress has played an absolute leading role in promoting the decoupling effect. Based on the research results, the key policy recommendation are put forward as follows: (1) Further improve the technological level and support clean technology enterprises. (2) Promote industrial upgrading in backward industrial provinces (3) Promote regional assistance and the introduction of high-quality foreign investment. • A decoupling effort model built based on the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index model. • Carbon intensity declined first, then rise lightly, and finally declined steadily. • Technological progress effect dominates the carbon intensity and decoupling effect. • Industrial structure effect mainly affects the primary and tertiary industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: With the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization, China faces a number of serious environmental problems that significantly affect economic and social sustainable development. In this paper we quantify the CO2, SO2, NOx, COD (chemical oxygen demand) and ammonia–nitrogen emissions resulting from household consumption, based on an input–output model used to identify which consumption items appear mainly responsible for environmental impacts and which consumption items can lead to different environmental impacts in 2007. Using a 2007 input–output table, we found that CO2, SO2, COD, NOx, and ammonia–nitrogen emissions from household consumption in 2007 accounted for approximately 42.17%, 33.67%, 33.11%, 28.83% and 30.38% of China's total emissions, respectively. Each environmental impact arises from the consumption of a mix of goods and services. “Agriculture” and “Food and Tobacco Manufacture” consumption contributed more than 50% of COD and ammonia nitrogen emissions; “Electricity and Heating Generation” and “Food and Tobacco Manufacture” accounted for more than 50% of SO2, NOx and CO2 emissions. We classified consumption items into different types, with Type 1 and Type 3 countering each other, illustrating a trade-off between stimulating household consumption, mitigating COD and Ammonia nitrogen emissions and mitigating CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The complicated nature of regional development requires a more integrated approach to reflect its systematic picture. Multi-scale integrated analysis of societal metabolism (MSIASM) is such an approach as it integrates economic, social and ecological dimension. In this paper, we employ such an approach to evaluate regional societal and ecosystem metabolism in China. We set up a series of indicators to present different development perspectives and employ a complete decomposition model to further identify key factors for regional sustainable development. Our research outcomes indicate that both west and north China rely on natural resource for their development while east and south China have more balanced sector structure. We also found that urban areas, especially those large cities, have already reached the level of those developed countries. Thus, how to reduce the gap between urban and rural contexts will be the next challenge of the Chinese government. From temporal point of view, although in recent years China gained great achievement for economic development, there is a lack of attention on improving people’s life quality and social service. This requires a more balanced development strategy so that different regions can better utilize their resources and support each other and a more balanced sector structure so that economic development will not be always the main focus of regional government and more attention on improving social welfare will be paid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper briefly summarizes China’s energy situation and sustainable development strategy as they were by 2009. The energy consumption in 2009 is reported to be 3.1 billion tons standard coal equivalent, 1/7 of the world total, 6.3% higher than in the year 2008, and its share of world CO2 emissions increased rapidly to 20.3% in 2006. These trends are most likely to continue with China’s plan to accomplish its social and economy development goals. To address these problems and also respond to increasing world pressure for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the Chinese government plans and has legislated promotion of energy conservation, efficiency, renewable energy technologies and use, and reduction of energy-related environmental impacts to reduce energy intensity by 20% during the 2006–2010 period, and to reduce the CO2 emission/GDP ratio by 40–45% by 2020 relative to 2005. China is facing severe energy-related challenges that conflict resources shortages with the planned rapid economic development, energy use with the related environmental pollution, and new technology with the old production/consumption patterns. It is recognized that energy development must, however, follow a sustainable path to coordinate economy growth, social development, and environmental protection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Climate change poses huge challenges to the sustainable development of human society. As a major CO2 emission source, decarbonization of power sector is fundamental for CO2 emission abatement. Therefore, considering the “carbon lock-in” effects, it’s critical to formulate an appropriate roadmap for low-carbon generation technologies. In this paper, key low-carbon technology solutions are firstly identified according to their developing prospects and the fundamental realities of China’s power sector. Then, costs, reduction effects and potentials for the key technology options are evaluated. On this basis, typical scenarios are selected and a scenario set is established which identifies and incorporates the key low carbon factors, and a multi-scenario analysis is implemented to China’s power sector based on a comprehensive power mix planning model. Then, contributions of CO2 reduction among the key technology solutions are revealed. Prospect for CO2 emission reduction is discussed, which informs the possible emission trajectories towards 2030. Finally, low-carbon technology roadmaps under specific scenarios are elaborated, which implies corresponding optimal evolution of power generation mix. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We propose in this paper an integrated energy strategy based on a systems approach to address the energy challenges and energy dilemma in China. First, we give a review of existing approaches to energy planning and strategic management, followed by a discussion on the major relationships among energy, economical, environmental and societal systems. Next, we present a conceptual system model with alternative solutions and clarify corresponding concepts. Based on the results, we propose, summarize, and present strategic ideas as policy implications for China’s decision makers. In conclusion, we determine that China should enhance strategic planning and regulation from a life cycle viewpoint of the whole society, prioritize energy saving, continuously improve incumbent energy, and rationally develop alternative energy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Coal combustion will continue to be a major component of energy production in the foreseeable future, owing to its abundance in China. A primary challenge will be to seek ways to utilize the coal resources in an environmentally acceptable manner. This paper presents the coal combustion scenario and its related air pollution in China. Some commonly used technologies for removing the pollutants from coal combustion had been introduced after comparison of its utilization efficiency, engineering investment-, and operation expense. In order to cost-effectively reduce the pollutant emission, it is necessary to enhance the coal utilization efficiency by implementing large-scale advanced technologies and increasing the coal-washing rate. There is dire need for indigenously developed techniques for the pollution control to reduce the engineering cost. The development of low-cost, low water-consuming flue gas desulfurization technologies, low-cost technologies for reducing NOx emission, and low-cost advanced technologies for inhalable particle emission control, must be predominantly paid attention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper identifies the main features of CO2 emission from fossil energy combustion in China. Then it estimates China''s future energy requirements and projects its CO2 emission from 2010 to 2020 based on the scenario analysis approach. China''s rate of carbon productivity growth is estimated to be 5.4% in the period 2005–2020, while the CO2 intensity of GDP will reduce by about 50% but CO2 emission in 2020 will still be about 40% higher than prevailing in 2005 because of rapid growth of GDP. This estimation is based on the assumption that China will implement a sustainable development strategy in consideration of climate change issues. The main objectives of the strategy are to implement an “energy conservation first” strategy, to develop renewable energy and advanced nuclear technology actively, to readjust the country''s economic structure, and to formulate and legislate laws and regulations, and to build institutions for energy conservation and development of renewable energy. It concludes that international measures to mitigate CO2 emission will limit world fossil fuel consumption. China is not placed to replicate the modernization model adopted by developed countries and has to coordinate economic development and carbon dioxide emission control while still in the process of industrialization and modernization. China has to evolve a low carbon industrialization model. This is the key to the success of sustainable development initiatives in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is expected to help Annex I countries achieve their binding commitment through a cost-effective way and to promote sustainable development in non Annex I countries including China, which has been the largest host country in the CDM market. This paper aims at reviewing the CDM practice followed in China from institutional arrangement to the risk and barriers faced by the project owners. The analysis shows that a clear institutional setting and implementation strategy is crucial for the effective implementation of CDM projects. The geographic uneven distribution of the CDM project partly due to the uneven capacity building practice can be removed by knowledge transfer and the learning by doing method. The sectoral uneven distribution caused by lack of proper methodology and unsatisfied technology transfer caused by risk consideration are also discussed. The experience and lessons learned from the CDM practice in China will be meaningful and valuable not only for other slow starters like Africa to improve their capacity but also for the international negotiation of future CDM regime aiming at expanding the coverage of CDM and fostering technology transfer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Because of the needs of sustainable development of the mankind society and natural environment building a renewable energy system is one of the most critical issues that today''s society must address. In the new energy system there is a requirement for a renewable fuel to replace current energy carrier. Hydrogen is an ideal secondary energy. Using solar energy to produce hydrogen in large scale can solve the problems of sustainability, environmental emissions, and energy security and become the focus of the international society in the area of energy science and technology. It has also been set as an important research direction by many international hydrogen programs. The Ministry of Science and Technology of China supported and launched a project of National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) – the Basic Research of Mass Hydrogen Production using Solar Energy in 2003 for R&D in the areas of solar hydrogen production. The current status of solar hydrogen production research is reviewed and some significant results achieved in the project are reported in this paper. The trends of development and the future research directions in the field of solar hydrogen production in China are also briefly discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: China''s total installed electrical power capacity reached 700GW by the end of 2007 and is predicted to surpass 900GW in 2010. The rapid increase in energy demand and increasing global warming have both pushed China to change its current electrical power structure where coal power accounts for nearly 75% of the total electric power generation. China has already become the world''s largest solar water heater producer and user. However, there is still much to be done in the solar thermal power field before its commercialization. Solar thermal power technologies including solar power towers, solar parabolic trough concentrators, solar dish/stirling systems, linear Fresnel reflectors, and solar chimneys have been studied in China since the 1980s. A 10kW dish/stirling project was funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) during 2000–2005 with a 1MW solar power tower and research of trough concentrator metal–glass evacuated tubes supported during 2006–2010. This paper describes a continued solar thermal power development roadmap in China in 5-year intervals between 2006 and 2025. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper first provides an overview of the context of renewable energy development in China, including the country''s recent renewable energy legislation. Further, it summarizes the current status of renewable energy development and the role it plays in the national energy supply. Next it introduces the national indicative targets for renewable energies in 2010 and 2020, and conducts a long term scenario of the role of renewable energies in China''s energy system transition till 2050. It discusses the main risks involved in China''s renewable energy development, and proposes some policy measures for risk management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The development of a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system in China is presented in this paper. The key scientific problems of a distributed energy system and the integration principles of a CCHP system are also pointed out. Moreover, two corresponding CCHP systems: one with the complementarities of fossil fuels energy and renewable energy, and the other integrated with desalination technology, are investigated. With special attention to thermal energy utilization, the integrating characteristics of these systems are likewise revealed, and the important role that the principle of cascade utilization of physical energy plays in system integration is identified. We have found that the energy-saving ratio of the integrated CCHP systems can be as high as 30%, and as such, the innovative CCHP systems suitable for China''s sustainable development are also recommended. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the initiatives launched in energy supply and consumption and the challenges encountered in sustainable road transportation development in China. It analyzes the main energy challenges related to road transportation development arising in the context of economic development, rapid urbanization, and improvement in living standards. It also discusses technological- and policy initiatives needed to deal with these challenges, drawing comparisons with foreign experience: promoting the development and dissemination of alternative fuels and clean vehicles such as: LPG, CNG, EV, HEV, FCV, ethanol, methanol, DME, bio-diesel, and CTL, strengthening regulations relating to vehicle fuel economy and emission, improving traffic efficiency and facilitating public transport development, and strengthening management of the soaring motor vehicle population. If the current pattern continues, by the year 2030, the vehicle population in China will be 400million and fuel demand will be 350milliontons. The potential energy saving capacity being 60%, the actual oil demand by 2030 from on-road vehicles might technically be kept at the current level by improving fuel economy, propagating use of HEV and diesel vehicles, improving supply of alternative fuels, and developing public transport. Several uncertainties are identified that could greatly influence the effect of the technical proposals: traffic efficiency, central government''s resolve, and consumers'' choice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper highlights the energy dilemma in China’s modernization process. It explores the technological and policy options for the transition to a sustainable energy system in China with Tsinghua University’s Low Carbon Energy Model (LCEM). China has already taken intensive efforts to promote research, development, demonstration and commercialization of sustainable energy technologies over the past five year. The policy actions cover binding energy conservation and environmental pollution control targets, economic incentives for sustainable energy, and public R&D supports. In order to achieve the sustainable energy system transformation eventually, however, China needs to take further actions such as strengthening R&D of radically innovative sustainable energy technologies and systems such as poly-generation, enhancing the domestic manufacturing capacity of sustainable energy technologies and systems, creating stronger economic incentives for research, development, demonstration and commercialization of sustainable energy technologies, and playing a leading role in international technology collaborations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper develops a function of energy consumption, population growth, economic growth and urbanization process, and provides fresh empirical evidences for urbanization and energy consumption for China over the period 1978–2008 through the use of ARDL testing approach and factor decomposition model. The results of the bounds test show that there is a stable long run relationship amongst total energy consumption, population, GDP (Gross domestic product) and urbanization level when total energy consumption is the dependent variable in China. The results of the causality test with ECM (error correction model) specification, the short run and long run dynamics of the interested variables are tested, indicating that there exists only a unidirectional Granger causality running from urbanization to total energy consumption both in the long run and in the short run. At present, the contribution share which urbanization drags the energy consumption is smaller than that in the past, and the intensity holds a downward trend. Therefore, together with enhancing energy efficiency, accelerating the urbanization process that can cut reliance on resource and energy dependent industries is a fundamental strategy to solve the sustainable development dilemma between energy consumption and urbanization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Extended-exergy analysis (EEA) for Chinese society was carried out in this paper to present a benchmarking case for future comparative studies in social systems ecology based on exergetic biophysics. For the EEA as an extension of labor theory of value and a possible sustainability metric, exergetic values were assigned to the production factors including labor, capital and environmental remediation costs. Also, the conversion coefficient of households sector was evaluated with the consideration of working hours, which significantly supplements the traditional energy and exergy accounting. The Chinese societal system was classified into seven sectors including the extraction, conversion, agriculture, industry, transportation, tertiary and households. The calculations of capital exergy and labor exergy were modified according to the special social–economic situation of China. A detailed accounting for the total societal extended-exergy use of China 2005 was conducted. Meanwhile, comparison of the net input exergy resources, extended-exergy capital, and labor of the total Chinese society during 2000–2005 was made to reveal the temporal changes using EEA. Finally, the EEA performances of China were compared with those of Norway, UK, Italy and the province of Siena to present solid foundation for energy strategy and identification of sustainable development mode. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Because of the needs of sustainable development of the mankind society and natural environment building a renewable energy system is one of the most critical issues that today''s society must address. In the new energy system there is a requirement for a renewable fuel to replace current energy carrier. Hydrogen is an ideal secondary energy. Using solar energy to produce hydrogen in large scale can solve the problems of sustainability, environmental emissions, and energy security and become the focus of the international society in the area of energy science and technology. It has also been set as an important research direction by many international hydrogen programs. The Ministry of Science and Technology of China supported and launched a project of National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) – the Basic Research of Mass Hydrogen Production using Solar Energy in 2003 for R&D in the areas of solar hydrogen production. The current status of solar hydrogen production research is reviewed and some significant results achieved in the project are reported in this paper. The trends of development and the future research directions in the field of solar hydrogen production in China are also briefly discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The coal base plays an important role in improving the security ability of coal supply and the modernization level of coal industry. This paper aims to explore the sustainability evaluation and development path selection of China's coal base from the perspective of spatial field. Firstly, from the perspective of "spatial field", attractive force of coal base was measured by gravity model in physics through evolution, deformation, hypothesis and deduction. Secondly, a representative and highly efficient coal base, Sanjin coal base, was selected for the analysis, in which Vensim was used to quantitatively predict the impact of various factors in 2009–2030. By setting up the benchmark scenario and different regulatory scenarios, the optimal development path of sustainability for coal base was discussed. The results showed that, (1) few enterprises have high attractive force among the 73 core enterprises in China's coal base; (2) only under the coordinated development path of the coal base, which is to reduce air pollution, waste water and solid waste, as well as to increase the development scale of coal base, can the steady growth and the avoidance of pollution be realized. • A new approach to assessing the sustainability of coal bases has been proposed. • The sustainability of large coal bases in China was analyzed. • The future development path of Sanjin coal base was simulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the energy efficiency is a fundamental way to ensure energy security and sustainable development, and is also the requirement of supply-side structural reform of China's energy. This paper uses the DEA-BCC model to estimate China's energy efficiency at the provincial level, analyzes its regional differences from 2006 to 2016, and applies a panel data model to analyze the influencing factors of energy efficiency. It selects labor, capital stock and total energy consumption as inputs and takes real GDP and comprehensive index of environmental pollution as desirable and undesirable outputs, respectively. The results show that (1) energy efficiency when undesirable output is included is generally lower than when undesirable output is excluded; (2) There is a considerable difference in energy efficiency among provinces, and China's energy efficiency, by and large, shows a trend of declining. The energy efficiency of four major regions demonstrates obvious regional differences: coastal region>northeastern region> middle region >western region; (3) The economic development level, technological progress, energy price and urbanization level are positively associated with energy efficiency, while the proportion of secondary industry and the energy consumption structure dominated by coal and oil are negatively correlated with energy efficiency. • Considering the undesirable output can reflect China's energy efficiency more comprehensively and authentically. • The comprehensive index of environmental pollution of four pollutants are chosen to express the undesirable output. • By and large, China's energy efficiency shows a downward trend. • Economic level, technological progress, energy price and urbanization level are positively related to energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy sustainable development is of strategic importance across the world. This is especially the case in China as it is the world's largest energy consumer. However, renewable energies such as wind and solar energy are characterized with high intermittence and fluctuation. As the penetration of renewable power in the energy system increases, it is getting more challenging in power dispatch. In this paper, an adaptive time division power dispatch strategy based on numerical characteristics of net loads is proposed. In this strategy, a dispatch time division method is introduced in detail to divide the dispatching time according to the numerical characteristics of net loads. The sample entropy theory is utilized to calculate the complexity of the net loads, depending on which a specific thermal generating mode is provided. The experiment simulation is developed on an actual provincial power system in the northeast of China. The test results have confirmed that in the adaptive time division power dispatch strategy, the ramping power of thermal generators are decreased, the continuous and steady operation time of thermal generators are improved. As a result, this new strategy, can lead to improved energy efficiency of power systems as well as significant environmental benefits. • A dispatch time division method is proposed according to the numerical feature of the net loads. • A complexity calculation method of each net load subsequence based on SampEn is introduced. • The specific net load numerical characteristic fitted thermal operation mode is introduced. • An adaptive time division power dispatch strategy based on the complexity of net loads is provided. • An actual provincial power grid in the northeast of China is developed to illustrate the effectiveness and practicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to use foreign direct investment (FDI) to achieve sustainable development of resources, environment and economy in China has become an increasingly important proposition. Previous studies mainly focused on the relationship between FDI quantity and energy efficiency, and neglected the important role of FDI quality in improving energy efficiency. Based on the panel data on 30 provinces in China from 2003 to 2016, this paper uses slacks-based measure data envelopment analysis (SBM-DEA) method to estimate energy efficiency, and then uses seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) method to empirically study the influence of FDI quality on energy efficiency. The results are presented as follows: (1) From the national level view, FDI quality plays a significant role in promoting China's energy efficiency; (2) From the regional-level view, FDI quality plays a significant role in promoting China's energy efficiency in coastal and inland areas, but its role in the inland area is significantly greater than that in the coastal area. The results indicate that China should make full use of the opportunity of global economic integration and pay more attention to the improvement of FDI quality, so as to promote energy efficiency and low-carbon economic development. • The important role of FDI quality in improving energy efficiency is studied. • SUR method is used to avoid autocorrelation between data sections. • SBM-DEA method is used to estimate energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]