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In recent decades, the role of green energy in realizing green transition and addressing environmental degradation needs to be brought into full play. To promote green energy development in China, this paper examines the relationship among green economic growth, green finance, and green energy (3G) between 2011 and 2019. The heterogeneous, asymmetric, and mediation impact relationship that exists in the 3G nexus is also explored in this study. Accordingly, the results suggest that: (1) Green economic growth and green finance are positively associated with green energy, and the impact is heterogeneous on different types of green energy and in different regions; (2) the impact of green economic growth on green energy are asymmetric, while that of green finance is consistent; and (3) green innovative technology is an effective mediator between green economic growth and green energy, while the investment effect is not significant. This paper contributes to formulating several reasonable policies for improving the green energy industry and achieving sustainable development. It is essential to give full play to the transformation of green achievements to enhance the role of green economic growth in promoting the green energy industry. • This study explores 3G nexus (green economic growth, finance, and energy (GRE)) in China. • The heterogeneity, asymmetry, and mediating mechanism are further analyzed. • Green economic growth and green finance can significantly promote GRE. • The impacts of green economic growth and green finance on GRE are heterogeneous. • Green technological innovation is an effective mediator in the 3G nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy is regarded as an effective method to alleviate environmental pollution and accelerate the green transition in China. This paper systematically investigates the impact of financial inclusion on renewable energy demand by using S-GMM model based on provincial data in the green finance era. This paper also analyzes the asymmetry, heterogeneity, and mediating mechanism in the nexus between financial inclusion and renewable energy demand, and highlights the following findings: (1) Improved financial inclusion can promote renewable energy development in China and present the characteristics of green finance; (2) the impact of financial inclusion on renewable energy demand is asymmetric and heterogeneous; specifically, this impact is much higher in northern China and the regions with higher renewable energy development; and (3) wind and photovoltaic power generation are effective mediators between financial inclusion and renewable energy industry, while the mediation effects of hydropower and nuclear power are not significant. New evidence in this study is presented for the achievement of green transition in China, as well as practical policy implications for improving financial inclusion and increasing renewable energy consumption. For instance, fiscal and tax incentives and green investment subsidies in the renewable energy sector need to be further improved. • This study explores the impact of financial inclusion (FI) on renewable energy demand (RED) in China. • Asymmetry, heterogeneity, and the mediating mechanism are further discussed. • Increased FI can promote RED , which presents the characteristics of green finance. • The impact of FI on RED is asymmetric and heterogeneous. • Wind and photovoltaic power are effective mediators between FI and RED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) is a mandatory institutional change to promote low-carbon energy transformation and renewable energy development. Its successful implementation requires the scientific design of relevant incentive mechanisms and rules. To make up for the defects in the current RPS mechanism design and the problems exposed in the Tradable Green Certificate (TGC) market, this paper takes China as an example and uses the system dynamics method to study the supply side incentives. The results show that: (1) Scientific setting the relevant system parameters of RPS (such as quota, benchmark price and penalty) and promoting the electricity market reform will effectively stimulate the power generation and investment on the supply side, and improve manufacturers' profit. (2) Higher quotas and lower benchmark prices can increase the manufacturers' power generation, profit and investment, and stimulate the supply side to conduct TGC transactions. However, when the penalty is set at different multiples of the benchmark price, the incentive effect on supply side power generation, investment and profit differ. (3) Marketed on-grid prices can significantly stimulate the supply side and promote renewable energy development. This paper can provide reference for the design of RPS incentive mechanism and institutional parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization is affecting the harmonious development of the environment and economy. Governments are developing new urban planning policies to achieve sustainable urban development. Using the Chinese smart city pilot policy as a natural experimental group, we use a difference-differences model to explore the relationship between smart cities and clean energy development. There are three findings in this paper. First, we find that smart city pilots drive clean energy development. Second, we find that digital technologies can reinforce the positive impact of smart city pilots and that innovation and financial inclusion have a positive mediating role. Third, we find that the impact of smart city pilots has a heterogeneous impact. Namely, pilots in coastal, large, and resource-based cities have a more positive impact on clean energy development. Existing smart city pilots significantly impact energy security and sustainable development. Our study provides a new perspective on urban planning and clean energy development in emerging countries such as China. • A difference-differences model to explore the effect of smart city pilot. • Smart city pilot drives clean energy development. • Innovation and financial inclusion have positive mediating roles. • Digital technology has a positive moderating effect. • Clean energy development in smart cities is distinctly heterogeneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of China's economy has driven the growth of energy consumption. However, the domination of the energy structure by fossil energy not only increases carbon emissions but is also an important source of fog and haze in China. This will cause global warming and increase people's lung diseases. To alleviate these problems, renewable energy (RE) development is crucial in reducing CO 2 emissions, promoting economic development, and reducing fog and haze in China. Industry accounts for the highest proportion of energy consumption, so an efficient adjustment of the industrial structure will greatly contribute to overall energy development, economic development, and environmental protection. By analyzing the sales output value of China's industrial subsectors, together with energy consumption and CO 2 emissions, this paper determines which industries should be encouraged and which industries should be restricted in China. Finally, RE strategies and industrial policies are proposed for Chinese government references. The contributions of the paper are three-fold: (1) propose a novel framework for the development of China in the aspects of energy, economy, and environmental policies; (2) provide valuable information for the Chinese government to enable it to understand which industries should be encouraged to improve its economic competitiveness; and (3) use hybrid methods (e.g., entropy method and weighted sum method) to rank the energy and CO 2 productivity, and the recommendations will provide strategic guidance for China's energy development. [Display omitted] ● China's Renewable Energy Strategy and Industrial Policy. ● Which industries should be encouraged or discouraged in China. ● Energy Productivity and CO 2 Productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of information and communication technology (ICT), a subset of many functions such as visual communication, can positively affect renewable energy development in different countries. In this paper, focusing on China as the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the relationship between visual communication and the deployment of renewable energy is investigated using the dynamic ARDL (autoregressive distributed lag) method and annual data from 1990 to 2021. Regarding the empirical estimations, a 1% increase in green finance market size leads to an improvement of sustainable energy deployment by 0.01%. In addition, the ICT development index has a significant and positive effect only in the long term. Furthermore, there is evidence of uni-directional causality from ICT to renewable energy deployment in the medium and long term. The recommended practical policies by the research are developing green financing tools, green economic growth policies, and creating virtual portals for financial interactions. • There is uni-directional causality from visual communication to renewable deployment. • ICT development index has a positive effect in the long term. • Effect of GDP on the development of renewable energy consumption is negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impacts of green finance on green energy deployment in China's tourism industry. To this end, the annual data over 1992–2021 through the ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) approach for the case of China are analyzed. The findings confirm that the issued green bonds positively impact the green efficiency of China's tourism industry in the long term. In contrast, the coefficient of issued green bonds is insignificant for the short-term approach. In addition, in the short and long term, the consumer price index also has a significant adverse effect on the green efficiency of China's tourism industry. The recommended practical policies are improving executive regulations and transparent market information, implementing green fiscal policies, green construction in hotels and tourist accommodations, green globalization, operational phases of innovation, adaptation, and stabilization (IAS), and eco-tourism regionalism. • Green bonds have a positive impact on the green efficiency of China's tourism. • Consumer price index has a negative effect on green efficiency of China's tourism. • Economic globalization index has a significant coefficient on green efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking 141 listed renewable energy enterprises in China as a sample, the Richardson model is adopted to measure their investment efficiency in this paper. On this basis, an intermediary effect model of panel data is constructed to empirically analyze the intermediary effect of green financial development on renewable energy investment efficiency through bank loans, short-term loans, and long-term loans. We find that China's green financial development has a negative impact on bank loan issuance in general, and inhibits the improvement of renewable energy investment efficiency to a certain extent, with an effect degree of 0.0017. Besides, the short-term loan has few intermediate effect on investment efficiency, while there is no intermediary effect of long-term loans. Moreover, as for the over-investment renewable energy enterprises, intermediary effect of bank loans exists. Green financial development can inhibit over-investment in renewable energy by reducing bank credit issuance; for renewable energy companies of under-investment, on the contrary, it aggravates the under-investment to a certain extent. This paper suggests that the government should both construct and consummate the green financial system through policies and regulation. Financial institutions should actively produce innovative green financial products and support the development of renewable energy enterprises and the renewable energy enterprises should strengthen their internal management and develop financing channels. • This paper measures the green financial development index from 2011 to 2016. • A Richardson model is adopted to measure renewable energy investment efficiency. • Green financial development can inhibit over-investment in renewable energy by reducing bank credit issuance. • For renewable energy enterprises that are underinvesting, green financial development cannot alleviate under-investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In January 2017, the Chinese government released the first special plan for the development of geothermal energy, named “ The 13th five-year plan for geothermal energy development and utilization (2016–2020) ”, which promotes the development of geothermal energy to the national energy strategic level. As a stable and low-carbon renewable energy, it is significant to develop geothermal energy to relieve air pollution and supply continuous base load power. This paper first introduces the resource endowments of geothermal energy in China, the current status and development targets of geothermal energy use, as well as series of related policies on China's geothermal energy. Then the economic, environmental and social benefits of geothermal energy development are analyzed respectively. Next, based on the PESTEL framework, this paper analyzes the unfavorable factors in the development of geothermal energy in China. Fourth, based on the PESTEL analysis results, we give some countermeasures and solutions for the future development of China's geothermal energy from two aspects of technology and policy. Finally, based on the above analysis, the corresponding conclusions and policy recommendations are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world's largest energy consuming country, it is important to study the mechanisms of improving renewable energy and energy efficiency to achieve green economic growth in China and globally. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of environmental regulations on green economic growth and renewable energy development in China, respectively. First, this study measures the level of green economic growth in Chinese cities by the Metafrontier-Global-SBM super-efficient data envelopment analysis (DEA) model from the perspective of energy efficiency. And the environmental regulation intensity was measured using an improved fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. Second, a spatial econometric model based on longitudinal data was constructed to examine the non-linear effects of environmental regulations on green economic growth and its spatial spillover and feedback effects. The results indicated a U-shaped non-linear effect of energy efficiency-related environmental regulation on green economic growth as well as a spatial spillover effect and spatial feedback effect. Finally, the impact of environmental regulation on renewable energy development was investigated. The results show that renewable energy development, an important component of green economic growth, is equally dependent on the implementation of environmental regulation policies and that environmental regulation makes a significant contribution to renewable energy development. The findings of this paper provide a basis for the realization of green economic growth and the formulation of renewable energy policies in China. • Impact of environmental regulation on renewable energy development was investigated. • A spatial econometric model of 286 Chinese cities from 2003 to 2018 was constructed. • Environmental regulation has a significant U-shaped effect on green economic growth. • Non-linear effects include spatial spillover and spatial feedback effects. • Environmental regulation promotes green growth earlier in resource-based cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the considerable contribution of hydropower for meeting electricity demand and meanwhile achieving free carbon emission, the rationality of hydropower exploitation needs to be reassessed in the context of hydropower curtailment being severe in some hydro-dominant areas. In this paper, a two-stage fuzzy-stochastic chance-constrained interval (TFCI) regional energy system optimization model under multiple complexities is developed for systematically assessing the rationality of existing hydropower exploitation plan, and reflecting the tradeoff between system cost and reliability for Sichuan territory where the exploitable hydropower resources rank first in China. Results showed that the degree of hydropower overcapacity would become far more severe under the real existing energy structure planning. Instead of continuously boosting hydropower exploitation, proper limitation on hydropower installed capacity expansion to make other renewable energy obtain deserved promotion can effectively reduce system cost and improve the utilization efficiency of all the renewable technologies. The highest utilization efficiency of hydropower, wind power and solar power could achieve [90%, 100%], [100%, 100%], and [100%, 100%], respectively. The obtained results also indicated that greater uncertainty about system cost may have to be faced if policymakers aim to lower risk and enhance system reliability. Suggestions are provided for eliminating the irrationality of hydropower in Sichuan and other similar hydro-dominant regions based on above mentioned conclusions. • Developing a TFCI model for the rationality of renewable energy development. • Evaluating Sichuan's hydropower exploitation from a comprehensive view. • Investigating far more severe hydropower curtailment under existing energy policy. • Suggesting proper limitation on hydropower exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve the goal of "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality", China is vigorously developing renewable energy. This paper aims to examine the major contributors to regional inequality in renewable energy consumption by analyzing the 30 provinces in China. We have analyzed the inequality of China's renewable energy consumption with Dagum Gini coefficient, and then use the Generalized Divisia Index Model (GDIM) to decompose the influencing factors contributing to the inequality of renewable energy consumption. The main conclusions are summarized as follows: First, renewable energy consumption was higher in the western region than in the central and eastern regions, and the regional inequality in renewable energy consumption have increased over time. Second, the study reveals that inter-group disparity is the primary source of regional inequality in renewable energy consumption in China. Third, at the national level, the results of the GDIM decomposition show that economic development continues to rely on fossil energy consumption, which negatively impacts the low-carbon transition of energy. Given China's complex geographical conditions, it is crucial for different provinces to develop their own strategies for renewable energy development, taking into account unique resources and challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this era of global warming the importance of climate risk cannot be understated, and finding ways to reduce climate risk is a topic worthy of study. In this paper, we innovatively examine the role of renewable energy technology innovation on climate risk in China. In addition to their linear relationship, we also investigate the asymmetric and heterogeneous impact, detect the impact channels, and find that (1) increased renewable energy technology innovation can effectively alleviate the climate risk situation. Accordingly, the development of renewable energy technology innovation can make a significant contribution to CR abatement. (2) Pronounced impacts of renewable energy technology innovation on climate risk can be observed in the higher quantiles (75th and 90th) of climate risk. (3) Renewable energy technology innovation is a powerful weapon for eradicating climate risk in provinces with a higher level of government fiscal expenditure. And (4) renewable energy technology innovation has an impact on climate risk by facilitating energy consumption efficiency, which is a necessary mediator. These conclusions inspire us to put forward several corresponding policy implications for better climate risk governance and renewable energy technology innovation development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing generation of renewable energy and its concurrent technological innovation are driving the transformations of the energy sector, but little effort has been made at the regional level to specify the heterogeneous impacts of different types of renewable energy development on multi-dimensional energy security. Therefore, this paper establishes a four-dimensional energy security assessment system based on the current energy market situation and economic context of China. Renewable energy generation and technological innovation were simultaneously used as the core proxies for renewable energy development. Then, the panel quantile regression method was used to analyze the heterogeneity of the impact of solar, hydro, and wind energy on energy security, covering 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2019. The empirical results show that renewable energy power generation generally promotes energy security, but it cannot be effectively applicable to all levels of energy security. Renewable energy technology innovation has surprisingly hindered energy security. These results can serve as a policy and practical guide, suggesting that provincial governments in China should implement energy security and renewable energy policies in line with local characteristics. • The redefined provincial energy security presents obvious spatial heterogeneity. • Panel quantile regression was applied to balanced provincial panel data. • Hydropower contributes only to medium and low levels of energy security. • Wind and solar power contribute differently to all levels of energy security. • Renewable energy technological innovation impedes energy security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the research topics of China's energy transition policy and predicting future research trends are crucial for policymakers to make informed decisions and advance the energy transition. This study applied the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to extract 26 major research topics from the 13,976 abstracts of Chinese policy research papers in web of science (WOS), conceptualized the five most popular topics and used the ARIMA model to predict trends over the next 36 months. The results show that except for Economic and Environmental Impact of Renewable Energy Consumption (Topic13), which will first experience unanticipated fluctuations and then show strong growth capacity, all other topics will continue to remain positive growth trend. Research and Development (Topic3) is driven by the urgency of China's energy transformation. Economic and Environmental Impact of Renewable Energy Consumption (Topic13) is driven by the potential for the development of renewable energy. Economic Impact of Climate Change (Topic26) is driven by the climate change debate. Economic Growth, Urbanization, and Energy Consumption (Topic7) is driven by a discussion of their relationship and the mechanisms influencing them. Regional Efficiency and Productivity Analysis (Topic19) is driven by regional differences in China's energy policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops the temporal-spatial distribution of wave energy at the Beibu Gulf at a monthly, seasonal, and annual base using the Simulated WAves Nearshore (SWAN) model, which is called third generation wave prediction model. The model is forced with the ECMWF ERA Interim wind field data covering 34 years at a time interval of 6 h. Wave parameters, including significant wave height ( Hs ), peak wave period ( Tp ), and wave direction (θ) are simulated by SWAN model. Simulated data are validated against the altimeter data using Bias, MSE, and R, and the validation results show that the simulated data can effectively be used to calculate the wave energy in Beibu Gulf. This paper highlights the temporal-spatial distributions of monthly, seasonal, and annual of wave energy. The results reveal that (1) the wave energy propagations in inner waters are dominantly along northeast and west-northwest; (2) the high-energy areas are located at the middle and the southern Beibu Gulf; (3) the biggest monthly wave energy is from January through March with approximately 2.5 kW/m, and the biggest seasonal wave energy is from winter through spring with approximately 1.7 kW/m, and the biggest annual wave energy is about 1.5 kW/m. Additionally, the quantitative analysis, in which the total storage of wave energy vs. the percentage of wave energy greater than 2 kW/m is mapped at a 0.5° × 0.5° grid, identifies those grids used for wave energy convertor deployment. Finally some suggestions are drawn up for decision-makers of the local government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes energy-related CO 2 emissions and production water use as the constrictions for energy development in northwestern China. By two period division methods such as one-year one-period and multi-year phased period, CO 2 emissions per unit of GDP and production water use are decomposed with a temporal decomposition technique. By compared with the average national level, carbon intensity and water intensity in 2016 are decomposed with a cross-regional decomposition technique. After a pairwise comparison of each influence factor between studied regions, what causes the variations in both intensity indicators among these five northwestern provinces is distinguished. Then the restrictions of energy development could be studied within an integrated framework of decomposing CO 2 emissions and water use in two dimensions such as time and space. Besides, the secondary industry is divided into non-energy industry and energy industry for the analysis of the effects of energy industry development. Moreover, renewable energy substitution factor is newly added to the decomposition of CO 2 emissions per unit of GDP, which is acted as an influence factor for the reduction of CO 2 emissions by the change of energy consumption structure. Finally, policy suggestions for sustainable development of energy industry in northwestern China are proposed. • Carbon intensity and production water use are decomposed by a temporal LMDI technique with two methods of period division. • Carbon intensity and water intensity in 2016 are decomposed by a multi-region decomposition approach. • Renewable energy substitution factor has been added into the spatial-temporal decomposition of carbon intensity. • The secondary industry is divided into energy industry and non-energy industry. • Renewable energy should be promoted during energy development in northwestern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes energy-related CO 2 emissions and production water use as the constrictions for energy development in northwestern China. By two period division methods such as one-year one-period and multi-year phased period, CO 2 emissions per unit of GDP and production water use are decomposed with a temporal decomposition technique. By compared with the average national level, carbon intensity and water intensity in 2016 are decomposed with a cross-regional decomposition technique. After a pairwise comparison of each influence factor between studied regions, what causes the variations in both intensity indicators among these five northwestern provinces is distinguished. Then the restrictions of energy development could be studied within an integrated framework of decomposing CO 2 emissions and water use in two dimensions such as time and space. Besides, the secondary industry is divided into non-energy industry and energy industry for the analysis of the effects of energy industry development. Moreover, renewable energy substitution factor is newly added to the decomposition of CO 2 emissions per unit of GDP, which is acted as an influence factor for the reduction of CO 2 emissions by the change of energy consumption structure. Finally, policy suggestions for sustainable development of energy industry in northwestern China are proposed. • Carbon intensity and production water use are decomposed by a temporal LMDI technique with two methods of period division. • Carbon intensity and water intensity in 2016 are decomposed by a multi-region decomposition approach. • Renewable energy substitution factor has been added into the spatial-temporal decomposition of carbon intensity. • The secondary industry is divided into energy industry and non-energy industry. • Renewable energy should be promoted during energy development in northwestern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the deployment and penetration of renewable energy is considered to be the fundamental way to solve environmental problems, but whether higher penetration of renewable energy means higher energy efficiency remains to be empirically tested. To reveal the relationship between cleanliness and efficiency in the energy sector, this paper first uses the three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA)method to measure the total factor energy efficiency (TFEE) of 30 provinces in China, and then applies static and dynamic panel threshold regression (PTR)models to estimate the nonlinear effect of renewable energy share on TFEE. The results show that renewable energy is usually beneficial for improving TFEE, but there are prominent heterogeneity and nonlinear characteristics in net electricity exporting and net electricity importing provinces. Renewable energy in low rather than high regimes can significantly improve energy efficiency, indicating that provinces with lower levels of economic development and energy consumption receive higher marginal energy efficiency and are more likely to achieve sustainable development goals. More renewable energy quotas should be given to economically developed and high energy consuming provinces, and comprehensive energy efficiency guarantees and improvement measures must be provided to achieve optimal emission mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the relationship between government subsidies, market competition, and the total factor productivity (TFP) of new energy enterprises will help countries optimize renewable energy support policies in the context of carbon neutrality constraints and energy demand growth. Based on the panel data of 145 listed new energy enterprises from 2007 to 2020, this paper investigates how government subsidies affect the TFP of new energy enterprises and the moderating effects of market competition. Our main findings are as follows: (1) Government subsidies positively affect the TFP of new energy enterprises. Heterogeneity analysis suggests that government subsidies have a larger effect on the TFP of non-SOEs, midstream and upstream enterprises, and smaller enterprises. (2) Industry market competition negatively moderates the effect of government subsidies on TFP, while enterprise competition power has a positive moderating effect. The marginal effect of government subsidies is significantly positive only when the industry market competition is below a certain threshold or the enterprise competitive power exceeds a certain threshold. (3) Government subsidies enhance the TFP by promoting invention and utility model innovation of new energy enterprises. In addition, market competition significantly moderates the relationship between government subsidies and utility model innovation, thereby moderating the marginal effect of government subsidies on TFP. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between government support, market competition, and new energy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different from the existing studies, this study find the two paths that green finance development (GFD) affects renewable energy development are the clean biased technical progress path and financial constraint path, and at its different stages, there are significant differences in driving effects of GFD and government policies. Through empirically analyzing impact of GFD on renewable energy development with mediation effect model and China's provincial panel data in 2007–2019, this study obtains following conclusions: On the one hand, GFD can promote energy technology innovation to bias to clean energy technology. On the other hand, it can ease the enterprises' finance constraint, thus promotes renewable energy development. In initial stage of renewable energy development, government's supporting policy is the key driving factor, and role of GFD is weak. In growth stage of renewable energy development (accounting for more than 20%), GFD significantly promotes renewable energy development, and driving role of government supporting policy has gradually weakened. In view of above results, the policy recommendations of this paper are, first, government departments and financial institutions should form joint force to promote the growth of green finance scale. Second, balance administrative means and market tools according to the regional renewable energy development stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve the carbon-neutral goal set for 2060, China has promoted renewable energy development for more than two decades. Meanwhile, China's electricity market is undergoing a new round of reform by introducing more market-oriented mechanisms and changing the market structure. This paper investigates the impact of three electric utility market structures experimented with in China on promoting renewable energy through a simulation model. The three market structures are vertical monopoly, weak monopoly (separation of power generators and grids), and monopolistic competition (Cournot-Nash competition). The model is calibrated with the actual data of the regional utility network in Beijing, Tianjin, and Tangshan areas. The simulation results show that the electricity market structure plays a vital role in renewable electricity, and the competition among utilities tends to benefit renewable energy development (wind power here). The study's conclusions are helpful to our understanding of further reforms in the electric utility industry and the long-term clean energy target in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To achieve China's 2030 goals for renewable energy development, this paper proposes a constrained fuzzy multi-objective optimization (FMO) model to obtain the optimal generation mix of four kinds of renewable power: hydropower, wind power, photovoltaic (PV) power, and biomass power. The optimization results show that a ) the optimal mix of accumulated installed capacity of renewable energy in China from 2017 to 2022 is hydropower > wind > PV > biomass, while that from 2023 to 2030 is PV > hydropower > wind > biomass; b ) the accumulated installed capacity of PV has the fastest growth between 2017 and 2030, and PV power will replace hydropower as the largest renewable power source in 2023. However, hydropower remains the largest renewable power through 2030 in terms of on-grid power generation; c ) these four kinds of renewable power generation can eliminate 34.9–37.5 billion tonnes of CO 2 emissions by replacing coal-fired power generation, with hydropower contributing the most to the reduction; and d ) Investment cost per kilowatt or the rate of power curtailment is not sensitive factor for optimal cumulative installed capacity. The results mean that China should promote PV power generation in a rapid but systematic manner while continuing to develop hydropower. Highlights • An FMO model for renewable energy generation mix is proposed. • Four kinds of renewable energy generation in China are optimized. • PV power will replace hydropower as the largest renewable power source in 2023. • Renewable power generation can reduce CO 2 emissions by 27.9–30.3 billion tons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract With the urgent need for energy conservation and intrinsic intermittence optimization, seawater pumped hydro energy storage (SPHS) is developing rapidly in the foreign countries but no one has been built in China. Nevertheless, with vast resources, our country pays much attention on SPHS site selection lately since its superiority and the need for long-term energy development. To select the most ideal SPHS site from numerous candidate alternatives, 18 evaluation criteria are set in this paper. Due to vague relevance among criteria, λ -fuzzy measure combining Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and entropy weight method are proposed to determine criteria weights. Later, fuzzy Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method is applied to sort an optimal solution for the SPHS construction. Simultaneously, the published data from National Energy Administration (NEA) combining experts' scoring and public opinions are calculated as a case and the Fu Ying Island in Ning De is proved to be the best. In order to ensure the validity and stability of the result, comparative and sensitive analysis are proposed. Overall, the proposed model can provide a reference to the government and electricity grid for further evaluation since SPHS site selection has not been deeply studied in China. Highlights • Study a new field as SPHS site selection. • Propose a new method in determining weights. • Take the fuzzy VIKOR method to rank the alternatives. • Model's effectiveness is verified by a practical calculation example in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract China's power sector has become the largest contributor to China's carbon emissions because of its coal-dominated power structure. Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy is an effective way to reduce carbon emissions and, therefore, a series of targets for renewable electricity generation have been put forward in national plans. However, how these targets will be reached is unclear. This paper uses a Long-range Energy Alternative Planning system (LEAP) model to explore the optimum development path of China's power sector from 2015 to 2050, taking into consideration the impacts of the renewable energy targets. Three scenarios are designed to examine the costs and benefits of developing renewable energy and improving the technologies for renewable power generation, comprising a base scenario, a renewable energy policy scenario and a technological progress scenario. The results show that the power generation cost would increase by at least 2.31 trillion RMB and that CO 2 emissions would be reduced by 35.8 billion tonnes during 2015–2050 if power generation follows current planning. Furthermore, every 1% increase in the capacity factors of renewable electricity would on average result in the cumulative CO 2 emissions decreased by 979 million tonnes and average CO 2 abatement cost decreased by 5.56 RMB/tCO 2 during 2015–2050. Based on this study, several policy implications are proposed for the development of power sector in China. Firstly, government may reconsider the current planning for gas-fired power and nuclear power to reach low-carbon electricity generation. Secondly, adjusting the carbon price can offset the additional cost of renewable electricity generation. Thirdly, promoting advanced technologies to match renewable electricity generation can obtain greater economic and environmental benefits. Finally, from the perspective of development potential, reducing the costs of solar power would be the emphasis at this stage. Highlights • Effects of renewable energy development plan in power sector are evaluated for China. • The optimal development path with minimum cost for the power sector are given. • National plans for renewable electricity can reduce 35.8 billion tonnes of CO 2 until 2050. • Average CO 2 abatement cost for promoting renewable power is 64.53 RMB/tCO 2 during 2015–2050. • Every 1% increase of the capacity factors of renewable power would decrease the average CO 2 abatement cost by 5.56 RMB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The People''s Republic of China foresees a target of 30 GW for installed wind power capacity by 2010 (2008: 12 GW). This paper reports on the technical and economic potentials of wind power, the recent development, existing obstacles, and related policies in China. The barriers to further commercialization of the wind power market are important and may deter the 100 GW capacity target of the Chinese government by 2020. The paper concludes that the diffusion of wind power in China is an important element for not only reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, but also for worldwide progress of wind power technology and needed economies of scale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In recent years, Chinese Government paid more attention to the exploitation of offshore wind power, and it became an important trend in the development of wind power industry. However, the development of offshore wind power in China was still in the initial stage. Compared with land-based wind power, the development of off-shore wind power had not only weaknesses and uncertainties, but also strengths and opportunities. In order to research the development of offshore wind power, this paper summarized the aspects on policy, market, technology and development planning of offshore wind power in China, and then adopted SWOT method to analyze the influencing factors, which impact on the development of China's offshore wind power. At last, this article analyzed the internal and external factors that affect the golden period of offshore wind power development, and drew a conclusion that the golden period of offshore wind power in China will come in the future, and most likely around 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Liaoning province, located in Northeast China – one of China''s three most wind-rich areas, possesses abundant wind resources. Along with China''s rapid development of wind power in recent years, the issue of how to integrate more wind power to the grid, and how to balance the conflict between pollutant and GHG emission reduction and economic cost increase by dispatch model adjustment becomes a big challenge. Based on the GAMS simulation method, by using the real data of thermal power units, wind power and hydropower generation, and load in Liaoning province, this paper studies a joint environmental and economic power dispatch considering wind power integration at valley load and peak load. The results show that the pumped storage power station played an important role in promoting wind power integration. And the power dispatch across thermal power, wind power and hydropower is more favorable than the power dispatch only across thermal power and wind power in terms of reducing pollutant and GHG emission. It is also proved that a comparatively better environmental improvement can be made at a relatively lower economic loss by a joint environmental and economic dispatch across thermal, wind and hydropower. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Facing the growing energy demand and the requirement of low-carbon development, China is making great efforts to fulfill the international cooperation on renewable energy aimed at protecting the security of energy and economy. Whereas, energy problems in various countries have become increasingly prominent, and the lack of a multilateral cooperation mechanism has become the key obstacle to the cooperation. This paper analyzes current situation and existing problems of international cooperation on renewable energy in China, and then puts forward the establishment of three cooperation mechanisms: the regional mechanism, the developing countries mechanism and the developing-developed countries mechanism, followed by a summary and analysis of the participants. The principles and steps of mechanisms making and the cooperation institution for mechanism operation will be discussed as well as making some policy recommendations on the cooperation methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: From 2002 to 2007, more than 400,000 photovoltaic (PV) solar home systems (SHS) were sold in northwestern China under the US$316 million World Bank/Global Environment Facility-supported Renewable Energy Development Project (REDP). REDP has been hailed as a best practice example in SHS deployment for its unprecedented scale and the combination of technology improvement and market development support components to strengthen the country’s renewable energy industry. While the World Bank has itself conducted post-project evaluations, our paper presents the first independent review with the intent of determining if anticipated project impacts have been sustained. We adopt a case study format supported by in-depth interviews with the project’s relevant stakeholder groups and find that solar home systems (SHS) provide monetary and non-monetary benefits to users and that their portability complements the lifestyle of the region’s nomadic herders. However, we also find that purchasing decisions are still based on price more than quality, after-sales service networks remain weak, and households in REDP’s coverage area are gradually gaining access to hydropower-based grid electricity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The past decades have witnessed the rapid growth of foreign participation in the renewable energy development in China. This is a result of massive energy demand and the Government’s strategy to shadow the role of traditional fossil fuel in the energy mix. This paper critically reviewed the international cooperation in the field of renewable energy with various partners in the new century. The cooperation pattern varies from partner to partner. The results showed that China has benefited from the international cooperation on renewable energy such as accessing to finance and advanced technologies, developing human resources related to renewable energy, and enhancing related policy framework. Major issues associated with the international cooperation are discussed as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: China is facing a number of energy-related challenges such as shortage of electricity supply and environmental pollution. The Government recognized the important role the renewable energy plays in the power generation structure. As a result, a series of supporting policies, laws and regulations have been issued to boost the renewable energies in China. This paper provides a critical analysis of the policy framework for the renewable energy in China and its impacts on the power generation structure. The relevant policy documents, including the most recent government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jia-bao during the Third Session of the 11th National People’s Congress (NPC) in March 2010 are analyzed. The patterns of renewable energy developments are found strongly correlated with the promulgation of relevant policies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]