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To measure and reduce carbon emissions in the urban power sector, a method for measuring carbon emissions in the urban power sector and a carbon reduction path are proposed. First, a carbon emission measurement model for the urban power sector is established based on the data of local power generation and net inward power. Then, carbon reduction measures for the urban power sector are proposed from the generation side, grid side, load side and energy storage side. After that, an evaluation model for the effect of the carbon reduction measures is established. Finally, taking a typical city F in the Pearl River Delta as an example, the proposed carbon emission calculation model is used to calculate the carbon emissions of power sector of the city, and the effectiveness of carbon reduction in 2030 carbon peak scenario of the city is evaluated based on the carbon reduction measures. The results show that the proposed model can accurately measure the carbon emissions of the urban power sector, and by utilizing carbon reduction measures, carbon emissions of the city can be reduced by at least 10.6 million tons in 2030.

Coal and natural gas have dominated ASEAN’s power sector in the past and contributed to 77% of power generation in 2019. To achieve net-zero by 2050, ASEAN countries need to decarbonize their power sector in the next three decades. This paper performs a technology screening exercise for ten decarbonization technologies for the power sector based on a holistic approach of sustainability, security, affordability, reliability, technology readiness and technology impact. This exercise has resulted in country-specific ranking of technologies which can inform policymakers of ASEAN countries. Overall speaking, simultaneous utilization of both fossil and non-fossil technologies is needed rather than waiting for certain technologies to mature. On the fossil side, switching from coal to gas for power generation and implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) in coal- and gas-fired power plants have the highest decarbonization potential. Therefore, eleven first-mover CCS projects are proposed with the potential to mitigate up to 22% of energy-related CO2 emission in ASEAN in 2019. On the renewable side, hydropower has the highest potential but sustainability issues due to overdamming of the Mekong River needs to be addressed. Further addition of capacity will likely come from run-of-the-river hydropower plants. Within ASEAN, there is medium to high potential for further usage of agricultural resides as biomass for power generation, especially in Indonesia,​ Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. Solar photovoltaic (PV) has medium potential in ASEAN countries with high land mass but more research and development (R&D) is needed in grid improvement and energy storage technologies. Within ASEAN, wind energy suffers from a low average wind speed but there are exceptions. More R&D is needed in the deign of low wind speed wind turbines. Geothermal resources are found only in Indonesia and the Philippines and are under-utilized. Further implementation will require favorable government polices to incentivize private investment and streamlining permitting, among others. Energy policies that promote rapid decarbonization of ASEAN’s power sector based on our findings are also discussed.

This study uses a multi-stakeholder analysis approach to consolidate low-carbon energy planning and facilitate energy transition (ET). To do this, we assess factors that influence ET strategies in the Nigerian power sector. Here we employ both quantitative and qualitative data obtained via well-structured, and concise questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. While our study brings to light a sustainable approach to achieving a low-carbon future, it identified technology, motivation and finance as variables that are significant in accelerating the country’s transition to clean energy. It revealed that prioritising low-interest rate and tax holiday for investors’ of solar energy and consistence expansion in energy efficiency (EE) is pertinent to achieving a sustainable low-carbon future in Nigeria. We conclude that robust policy frameworks that prioritise investment in solar energy and EE through incentivising energy management solutions with appropriate financial tools and fostering active verbal support through advocacy are essential to ET in Nigeria.

CO2 capture from coal power plants is an important and necessary solution to realizing carbon neutrality in China, but CCS demonstration deployment in power sector is far behind expectations. Hence, the reduction potential of energy consumption and cost for CCS and its competitiveness to renewable powers are very important to make roadmaps and policies toward carbon neutrality. Unlike the popular recognition that capturing CO2 from flue gases is technically and commercially mature, this paper notes that it has been proved to be technically feasible but far beyond technology maturity and high energy penalty leads to its immaturity and therefore causes high cost. Additionally, the potential energy penalty reduction of capture is investigated thermodynamically, and future CO2 avoidance cost is predicted and compared to renewable power (solar PV and onshore wind power). Results show that energy penalty for CO2 capture can be reduced by 48%-57%. When installation capacity reaches a similar scale to that of solar PV in China (250 GW), CO2 capture cost in coal power plants can be reduced from the current 28-40 US$/ton to 10-20 US$/ton, and efficiency upgrade contributes to 67%-75% in cost reduction for high coal price conditions. In China, CO2 capture in coal power plants can be cost competitive with solar PV and onshore wind power. But it is worth noting that the importance and share of CCS role in CO2 emission reduction is decreasing since renewable power is already well deployed and there is still a lack of large-scale CO2 capture demonstrations in China. Innovative capture technologies with low energy penalties need to be developed to promote CCS. Results in this work can provide informative references for making roadmaps and policies regarding CO2 emission reductions that contribute towards carbon neutrality.

The carbon emissions of the power industry account for over 50% of China’s total carbon emissions, so achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality in the power sector is crucial. This study aims to simulate the impacts of three energy policies—carbon constraints, the development of a high proportion of renewable energy, and carbon trading—on China’s energy transition, economic development, and the power sector’s energy mix. Through the construction of a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model for China and its integration with the SWITCH-China electricity model, the impact of diverse energy policies on China’s energy transition, economic progress, and the power mix within the electricity industry has been simulated. The integration of the SWITCH-China model can address the limitations of the CGE model in providing a detailed understanding of the specific intricacies of the electricity sector. The results indicate that increasing the stringency of carbon restrictions compels a reduction in fossil energy use, controlling the output of coal-fired power units, and thereby reducing carbon emissions. The development of a high proportion of renewable energy enhances the cleanliness of the power sector’s generation structure, further promoting the national energy transition. Implementing a carbon trading policy, where the entire industry shares the burden of carbon reduction costs, can effectively mitigate the economic losses of the power sector. Finally, the policies to further enhance the implementation of carbon trading policies, strengthen effective governmental regulation, and escalate the deployment of renewable energy sources are recommended.

Abstract This study uses TIMES model to assess Indonesia’s power sector’s carbon price impact from 2020 to 2050 and the price needed by 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement NDC target. Four scenarios are used to model the impact of carbon price up to 2050: no carbon price, Indonesia’s current price of USD 2.02/tCO2e, ICPF middle- and high-income countries, USD 50/tCO2e and USD 75/tCO2e. Four price scenarios—10, 25, 35, and 150 USD/tCO2e —are added to better understand the carbon price’s effects. As carbon prices rise, installed capacity and power generation will shift to lower-carbon technology. Ultracritical coal, gas-fired, solar, geothermal, and hydropower plants will replace subcritical coal. Investment, fixed, and variable costs would exceed BaU with a higher carbon price. 2.02 to 25 USD/tCO2e can start the coal-to-gas switch but not significantly change the generation profile. The generation will change significantly above 35 USD/tCO2e. Carbon emissions peak lower with rising carbon prices. USD 25 carbon price reduces emissions significantly; a carbon price below that is costly and ineffective. Indonesian Law No. 16 of 2016 ratified the Paris Agreement NDC, committing Indonesia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 29% by 2030 or 41% with international assistance. Energy sector emissions need to decrease by 11% for a 29 percent reduction and 14% for a 41 percent reduction. A 29% reduction requires USD 39.65/tCO2e carbon price, while a 41% reduction requires USD 43.78/tCO2e. These prices are still within the reasonable ICPF price limit for Indonesia to approach the middle-income country price floor.

Abstract During the 2007-2008 global financial crisis, many countries enacted clean energy policies as a part of their economic stimulus packages. These policies are believed to have contributed to a significant reduction in the CO2 intensity of electricity. Here we conduct a retrospective overview and evaluation of energy policies’ effectiveness in reducing the CO2 intensity of electricity. We utilize governance capacity as a measure of policy implementation stringency, and the interaction between governance capacity and the number of categorized policies to adjust policy variables for governance effectiveness. We distinguish between the short- and long-term effects of these policies to investigate the impacts of policy instruments on CO2 mitigation. The results suggest that the increased policy efforts, when executed with effective governance, have led to long-term cumulative effects. Our findings provide insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of energy policies in CO2 mitigation, serving as a reference for policymakers in the post-COVID-19 era.

The power sector is one of the major CO2-emitting industries in China. It is also the first key emissions control industry included in China’s national carbon trading market established in 2021. Therefore, based on the data of 30 provinces and cities in China from 2015 to 2022, this study analyzes the impact of the national carbon market policy on the carbon emissions of the power industry based on the generalized Difference-in-Difference (DID) model. Based on the method of text analysis, this paper constructs the carbon market policy intensity index of each region and incorporates it into the DID model. Empirical analysis finds that the national carbon market policy can significantly inhibit the carbon emissions of the power industry. However, the heterogeneity analysis of 30 provinces and cities shows that the national carbon market policy has a significant impact on the regions that already have a carbon pilot, but not on the non-pilot regions. Therefore, this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the national carbon market policy in the power industry emissions control, and also exposes the heterogeneity between regions, providing an important empirical basis for the inclusion of other energy-intensive industries.