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Traditional energy planning methods are mostly related to newly-built area. However, in most already-built regions, the existing district energy systems (DESs) need to be ameliorated due to insufficient capacity and low efficiency. This paper investigates the methodology of expansion planning, which can offer planners a viable way to expand existing DESs. The term “expansion” aims to increase the supply capacity of the energy forms, e.g., steam, hot water and electricity, which cannot be accessed from national or urban energy supply network, and meanwhile increase energy utilization efficiency and cut CO 2 emission. Three parts of the methodology, including problem analysis in current DESs, demand side analysis and the existing DES expansion, are introduced in this paper. New concepts of load structure and evaluation system of the whole district are proposed in this methodology. A case analysis of Ningbo Hi-Tech District, China is conducted to shed light on the application of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Yield per hectare of sweet sorghum are influence by temperature and precipitation. • Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia are suitable for planting sweet sorghum. • The 2020 and 2050 biofuel goal can be satisfied by certain scenarios in this paper. • Climate change and land-use change are critical to energy crop development plan. Abstract Biofuel from energy crops will play an important role in supplying carbon-neutral fuel for the transport sector. However, there are large uncertainties regarding energy crop development and the energy crop potential and distribution need to be evaluated more comprehensively and systematically. In this study, we propose an integrated approach using the AquaCrop model, a geographic information system approach, and a scenario analysis and we conduct a land availability assessment with multiple factors including climate change, land use, soil, topography, regional crop management, and technological improvement to shed light on the potential production, distribution, and temporal-spatial variation of land suitable for sweet sorghum production in China. We evaluate a full range of spatial scales from 1-km resolution to a national assessment in four representative concentration pathways from 2010 to 2100. The results show that most provinces can plant sweet sorghum. The most suitable provinces for sweet sorghum production are Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Yunnan, and Sichuan. The biofuel potential of sweet sorghum in high-slope farmland (0.30–0.73 EJ) and marginal land (11.98–15.18 EJ) can satisfy the biofuel goal in 2020 (0.12 EJ) and 2050 (6.70–8.60 EJ). Climate change and land-use change are critical factors influencing for the current implementation and long-term planning of energy crops in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The analysis framework of a digital business model of PV fishery is constructed. • Multiple value propositions in the digital business model of PV fishery to create value for stakeholders. • The digital business model of PV fishery improves the operational efficiency of PV power generation. • The digital PV fishery increases the diversification of revenue sources of PV agricultural company. A business model that combines solar photovoltaic and fishery plays a role to expand distributed renewable energy and improve rural economy development. However, the business model of solar photovoltaic fishery is encountering growing difficulties with revenues decreasing due to changes of policy such as withdrawal of photovoltaic subsidies and land control. The spreading of digitization in photovoltaic industry and rural areas provides new opportunities for innovation of traditional solar photovoltaic fishery. This paper focuses on multiple value propositions to discuss a digital business model based of solar photovoltaic fishery on a case with a local Chinese photovoltaic agricultural company. The study results show that the digital business model of solar photovoltaic fishery improves the operational efficiency of solar photovoltaic power generation, economic benefits of aquaculture, and the diversification of revenue sources of solar photovoltaic agricultural company and leasing company. The transformation of business model from traditional solar photovoltaic power generation and fishery business to digital service platforms can not only accelerate expansion of distributed renewable energy and be potential deployed globally but also assist photovoltaic agricultural company to effectively respond to policy change. Finally, this paper proposes that supportive policy may focus on advocating system coupling to expedite the development of distributed renewable energies based on digital technology, and digital photovoltaic combined with rural energy market and financial, which will advance development of renewable energy electrification and promote rural economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In March 2011, China’s central government set a new challenging target of reducing its energy intensity by 16% during 2011–2015, after it had achieved a reduction of 19.1% during 2006–2010. And this new target was assigned to provincial authorities in August 2011. However, China’s provincial energy-economic developments are unbalanced and different provinces have different key sectors for energy conservation. Most previous studies focused on provincial energy efficiency at the aggregate level, or the three-industry level (or one-digit level). However, whether for policy decision or academic research, it is necessary to further subdivide the sectors. In this paper, we use three indicators (Gini Coefficient, energy consumption share and energy intensity) to compare provincial energy conservation potentials at the two-digit sector level. To our knowledge, this paper is the first one to identify the keys for energy conversation across the 31 provinces×65 sectors. And the results are shown in visualized maps and matrix tables to help identify the key province×sectors for energy conservation easier. This also helps the central and provincial governments to distinguish key sectors when they monitor the energy conservation progress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Spatial pattern and evolution trends of four kinds of residential energy consumption in China are investigated. • Spatial difference in the distribution of gravity centers of residential energy consumption is depicted. • Standard deviational ellipse demonstrates the dynamic evolution patterns of residential energy consumption. • Coupling coordination degree between residential energy consumption and the economic indicator is investigated. • Electricity should be taken into further consideration in the development of residential energy improvement. The residential energy consumption in China shows diversity and complexity in space. This paper aims to investigate the spatial pattern and evolution trends of four kinds of residential energy consumption (electricity, coal, oil, and natural gas) through gravity center modeling and standard deviational ellipse modeling. Further, their relations to economic growth are probed by using the coupling and coordination degree model. Panel data at the provincial level in China are collected from 2000 to 2019. Our results show that the most drastic movement trend of gravity centers is coal, natural gas, followed by oil, whereas electricity moved slightly in space. Further, the standard deviational ellipse of electricity exhibits relatively stable patterns than the other three residential energy consumption during the study period. In addition, the coupling coordination degree between residential energy consumption and the economic growth is examined, and the results indicate that the total residential electricity consumption shows the highest coupling coordination degree, followed by residential gas, oil, and coal. It demonstrates lower coupling coordination degrees in rural areas than in urban areas in the total and sectoral residential energy consumption. In sum, several policy implications can be demonstrated based on our findings, i.e., the development of electricity consumption in the residential energy structure may improve the energy stability in space in China, and ensuring access to electricity should be taken into further consideration in the development of residential energy improvement to achieve a better coordination level to economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The data envelopment analysis is introduced to renewable energy development. • The method has two stages: comprehensive evaluation and structure optimization. • Indexes from different aspects are quantified via intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. • The comprehensive performances are determined based on the relative efficiencies. • The proportions of renewable energy are optimized based on the whole efficiency. Different kinds of renewable energy resources have developed rapidly. For renewable energy planning, it is meaningful to assess the comprehensive performances of different schemes and then to determine the optimal design of the energy structure. This paper presents a two-stage method for the comprehensive evaluation and structure optimization of renewable energy plans. First, in the evaluation stage, multiple indexes from different aspects are taken into consideration, of which each qualitative index will be converted quantitatively, using the intuitionistic fuzzy number to describe the fuzziness and ambiguity in a qualitative index. Then, the superefficiency data envelopment analysis model is used to determine the comprehensive performances of different plans based on the concept of relative efficiency. Next, in the optimization stage, an optimal model combining multiple renewable energy resources is established based on the relative efficiency results of the evaluation process. This model aims at the maximum efficiency as a whole and can be used to optimize the proportions of different renewable energy resources. Finally, a real case of renewable energy development from a province in China is given to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method in this paper. The results show that it can overcome the shortcomings of the traditional basic model, obtain more objective evaluation results and provide beneficial references for the strategy making of renewable energy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It evaluates the effect of China's ETS on non-fossil energy development. • It analyzes ETS's effects from energy type, pilot, and pilot-energy type aspects. • The ETS has the most significant promoting effect on hydropower and photovoltaics. • Carbon price plays a positive role in moderating the effect of China's ETS. Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) can internalize the environmental costs of fossil energy consumption and encourage enterprises to consume non-fossil energy, which is crucial for People's Republic of China (PRC) to achieve the contribution target of the Paris Agreement cost-effectively. However, whether the ETS in PRC can promote non-fossil energy development remains to be answered. This paper uses a difference-in-differences model to evaluate the effect of the ETS on non-fossil energy development in PRC. Using provincial monthly panel data from January 2004 to December 2019, we find that (1) the ETS has significantly promoted non-fossil energy development in PRC, increasing the monthly average share of non-fossil energy power generation in total power generation by 2.326 percentage points, which has been verified by a series of robustness tests. (2) The effect of the ETS on non-fossil energy development is heterogeneous by energy type, pilot region, and pilot-energy type. The ETS has significantly increased the share of hydropower and photovoltaic power generation, and has significantly promoted non-fossil energy development in Guangdong; meanwhile, the ETS has significantly increased the share of hydropower and nuclear power in Guangdong, and the share of wind power and photovoltaic power in Hubei. (3) The higher the carbon price, the greater the role of the ETS in promoting non fossil energy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: China’s wind industry has grown rapidly over the past decade. Continued growth in this industry is critical for China’s domestic energy security and the global environment. However, little is known about the microeconomic drivers that move wind energy development in China. Based on a survey of experts in Mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, this paper finds that the most important drivers of wind energy investment in China are perceived to be those that can have an immediate impact on a wind energy developer’s cash flow: government financial assistance, easy and inexpensive transmission access, wind energy cost decline, and a high feed-in-tariff. A renewable portfolio standard, tax incentives and international research and development cooperation are seen as less important. These findings underscore the importance of reducing the financial risk in wind energy development. However, none of the key drivers is directly tied to energy output, which suggests that China’s wind energy policies must be modified to incentivize energy output, rather than just installed capacity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper estimates the affordability of increased energy costs for Chinese companies due to the possible introduction of carbon pricing policies. The data were collected from 121 valid respondents in Taicang, China, using a multiple-bounded discrete choice (MBDC) format. Estimations indicate that a mean of 8.5% in energy cost increase would be acceptable for the surveyed companies on the whole. Companies from chemical and dyeing industries expressed a slightly higher affordability, with the mean of acceptable energy cost increase being 9.8% and 9.4% respectively. Econometric analysis identified two determinants of affordability for companies. One is the current energy price level, having a significant but negative relationship with affordability. The other is the energy management strategies of companies, significantly and positively associated with affordability. Calculations indicate that the mean of affordable energy cost increases for companies roughly equals a carbon price of 60 CNY/t-CO2 (about 9 USD/t-CO2). This result may be used as a referendum during the development of carbon tax policy and the establishment of a domestic carbon emissions trading scheme in China from the perspective of individual companies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: China has set ambitious goals to increase the use of renewable energy. Developing renewables in rural areas is also one of the most important energy strategies. This paper examines rural social acceptance of renewable energy deployment taking Shandong as a case study via a field questionnaire survey. Theory of planned behavior is adopted to establish an analytical framework, and a logit model is used to examine possible determinants of local social acceptance. The results show that rural residents are generally supportive renewable energy development given its positive impacts on environment. A stated willingness to pay more for renewable electricity is taken as a variable representing an individual’s behavioral intention. The probability of occurrence of positive intention is found to increase with household income, individual knowledge level and belief about costs of renewable energy use but decrease with individual age. Residents with higher level of income are more likely to be willing to pay more for green electricity, so are the younger people. Enhancive knowledge and understanding about renewable energy (for instance, the cost) would be conducive to win public acceptance of renewable energy deployment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Quantitative methods for power flexibility. • Decentralized and coordinated model for sharing hydropower flexibility in interconnected power systems. • New linearization methods for complex nonlinear constraints of hydropower system and DC tie-lines. • The method and model are performed on the China Southern Power Grid. In 2020, China pledged to become carbon neutral before 2060, which implies the acceleration of China's low-carbon energy transition and development of new energy (wind and solar). As a result, the demand for flexibility in China's power system has never been so urgent. Because China has the greatest installed hydropower capacity in the world, sharing hydropower flexibility in its interconnected power systems is of great practical significance to China. This paper reports the necessity and feasibility of sharing the hydropower flexibility of Yunnan's large hydropower bases in the China Southern Power Grid (CSG) through direct-current (DC) tie-lines. In addition, an effective solution to this problem is presented. First, several quantitative methods of flexibility are proposed. Second, a decentralized and coordinated scheduling model that taps and shares the power flexibility of large hydropower bases in interconnected power systems is constructed. The model considers the complex nonlinear constraints of hydropower and DC tie-lines. Third, new linearization modeling methods are proposed to transform the model to a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model, reducing the computational complexity. The MILP model is applied to the CSG to determine the hourly generation schedules for power plants in Yunnan's large hydropower bases and the power transmission plans for DC tie-lines. The cases studies demonstrate that the proposed model can fully tap hydropower flexibility and ensure that large hydropower bases simultaneously respond to the flexibility demands of sending-end and receiving-end power grids. The study provides a valuable technical approach for alleviating the lack of power flexibility in other countries with large hydropower bases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the current status of biofuel development and estimates the potential of un-used land for biofuel development. The potential of crops including cassava, sweet potato, sweet sorghum, sugarcane, sugar beet and Jerusalem artichoke were assessed and discussed for different regions considering the geographical conditions and features of agricultural production. If reserved land resources are explored together with substitute planting implemented and unit area yield improved, potential production of ethanol fuel will be 22millionton in 2020. The study also recommends the use of winter idle lands for rapeseed plantation for biofuel production. The potential for production of biodiesel by rapeseed and cottonseed can reach to 3.59millionton. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Asia’s largest biofuels producers are currently Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, China and India. This paper first examines the current status of biofuels in these countries, including the national development targets, strategies, incentives and policies. It then identifies the fundamental driving forces behind the development and promotion of these industries and considers their economic, social and environmental impacts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]