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China's rural solar photovoltaic projects (SPVPs), as an innovative initiative to improve livelihoods through clean energy, have played a positive role in poverty reduction. However, whether this measure can enhance energy services for rural families remains unconfirmed. This paper employs a quasi-experimental method from the perspectives of energy service accessibility and affordability to quantify the net contribution of China's rural SPVPs to enhancing family energy services. The results indicate: (1) SPVPs can significantly improve family energy services, with a net effect of 14.7 % on the energy service accessibility and a net effect of 44.5 % on the energy service affordability. (2) SPVPs can increase the energy consumption capacity, energy supply capacity and energy equipment utilization rate by 2.6 %, 7.1 % and 5 %, respectively. Furthermore, these initiatives can effectively slash the energy costs of rural families by 4.3 %, bolster the energy access affordability by 3.9 %, and catapult energy investments by an impressive 44.9 %. (3) These projects also perform well in the family energy consumption cleanliness. (4) The effect of SPVPs in providing energy services presents a regional difference, with the best performance observed in 'Type III' solar resource areas. Meanwhile, the implementation of China's rural SPVPs does not involve "elite capture." • We analyze the changes of energy accessibility and affordability in rural China. • We quantify the energy services effect of solar PV projects (SPVPs). • SPVPs perform well in improving family energy consumption cleanliness. • The energy services effect of solar PV projects has spatial heterogeneity. • The implementation of China's rural SPVPs does not involve "elite capture.". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the evident spatial disparity in China's energy consumption and economic development, achieving Pareto optimization of regional energy allocation efficiency proves to be a formidable challenge. Based on this, this paper ingeniously proposed an extended "labor-capital-energy-environment" resource mismatch mode, using 2004–2018 provincial panel data to measure and analyze the spatiotemporal pattern of China's energy mismatch and efficiency loss, while further investigating influencing factor. The results show that: (1) Although the degree of resource misallocation has decreased, the reduction of the number of provinces with excessive energy allocation and the serious shortage of energy allocation are the only effects of the optimization of energy resource misallocation, which has not significantly improved the situation overall. (2) Energy resource misallocation has grown to be a significant factor in China's losses in green total factor productivity (GTFP) brought on by resource misallocation. In addition, the extent of energy mismatch's loss in GTFP demonstrates the spatial heterogeneity of the "eastern > central > northeast > west" region. (3) Environmental regulation can significantly reduce energy mismatch and it is more successful at addressing the issue of excess energy than inadequate energy allocation. Also, the "rebound effect" of technological progress is the main factor aggravating the shortage of energy allocation. • We innovatively proposed an expanded "labor-capital-energy-environment" HK model to construct a theoretical framework for the impact of factor price distortions on GTFP. • The optimization of energy resource misallocation is only reflected in the serious shortage of energy allocation and the reduction of the number of provinces with excessive energy allocation. • The degree of GTFP loss of energy mismatch shows the regional heterogeneity of "eastern > central > northeast > west" spatially. • Environmental regulation can significantly improve the problems of energy mismatch and surplus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Using the trans -log cost function and elasticity model, this paper pioneered the analysis of the elasticity and characteristics of the substitution between energy consumption and capital in China's manufacturing industry between 1995 and 2014. Firstly, the research revealed significant differences in the magnitude and direction of the substitution between coal, electricity, petroleum, and capital, thus demonstrating heterogeneity in the substitution. Secondly, the analysis, based on the Morishima Elasticity of Substitution (MES) model showed that: 1) depending on what triggers changes in factor prices, the manufacturing sector shows a reverse asymmetry whereby capital substituted energy and energy complemented capital 2) a significant asymmetry exists in the direction and magnitude of substitution in capital- and labor-intensive sectors. This asymmetric effect indicates that China can attain overall energy conservation and apply energy-saving technologies in the manufacturing industry by implementing the substitution of capital for energy. However, the differences with regards to the forms of energy consumption among sectors, as well as the heterogeneity and asymmetry in capital–energy substitution should be considered in research on energy policies for the manufacturing industry. This should also involve the integration of energy sources to ensure that such policies are targeted and effective. Highlights • It evaluates the substitution between energy and capital in China's manufacturing industry. • MES model and translog cost function are used to investigate the heterogeneity and asymmetry of substitution. • It shows a reverse asymmetry whereby capital substitutes energy and energy complements capital. • It demonstrates the heterogeneity of substitution result from the difference of energy use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: China''s total energy consumption, according to the official data, decreased impressively during 1997–1998 and increased sharply during 2003–2007, which in turn resulted in energy intensity fluctuation. Many literatures explained this “unusual phenomenon” from the perspectives of technical change, economic structure shifting and statistical data quality. They measured aggregate energy in thermal units by using linear summation approaches. In this paper, from the perspectives of heterogeneity and imperfect substitutability among diverse energy types, we further examine China''s aggregate energy consumption by using Divisia (Sato-Vartia) approach. The results show that China''s aggregate energy consumption and intensity fluctuated slightly less than values calculated by using conventional linear approaches, and the “unusual phenomenon” is partly explained. It also implies that China''s energy intensity changes in 2006–2007 are slightly more optimistic than those officially reported, and the official communiqué of provincial energy intensity reduction achievements are partly bias. Some provincial achievement are underestimated or overestimated on some provinces. Our empirical results are also helpful to further research, such as energy–economic modeling, energy price elasticity, and elasticity of substitution among capital–labor–energy–material (KLEM). The difficulties or defects when using Divisia approach are also discussed in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The mismatch between the supply and consumption of energy indicates that it is important to promote energy efficiency in the road transportation industry which is high in energy consumption. This paper employs a stochastic frontier approach to measure the total-factor energy efficiency (TFEE) change of the road transportation industry in China. Then, a novel two-dimensional matrix is used to illustrate the energy efficiency of the road transportation industry in China's eight economic areas. The combination of these approaches leads to the following conclusions: (a) The annual TFEE growth rate of Chinese road transportation systems has slowed down in recent years, but the average annual TFEE growth has reached 17.34%. (b) Both technological change and scale efficiency change boost the TFEE growth, and technical efficiency change hinders the TFEE growth. (c) Almost all regional road transportation industry TFEE scores increased during the study period, but the growth rates were significantly higher in the Northern Coastal and Eastern Coastal areas than in other areas. Finally, this paper suggests increasing investment in highways to expand the operation scale, developing advanced technology for high-quality development of the industry, and carefully designing measures to improve transportation technical efficiency according to regional economic development orientations. • Total factor energy efficiency (TFEE) and the driving factors are investigated. • The Chinese road transportation industry is empirically analyzed. • A stochastic frontier approach considering energy consumption is employed. • A two-dimensional matrix considering the TFEE change rate and stability is used. • Both technological change and scale efficiency change boost the TFEE growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the feasibility of constructing multi-energy complementary systems in rural areas of China is examined. First, the rural energy structure and energy utilization in the eastern, central, and western regions of China are analyzed, and the development and utilization modes of multi-energy complementary systems in different regions are evaluated based on the differences in the resource endowment in different regions. Second, the input-output status of the multi-energy complementary mode in different regions is analyzed. Then, based on the assumption of technical feasibility, the feasibility of the multi-energy complementary system is analyzed in terms of various dimensions, such as economic, energy conservation, environmental protection, and social benefit. Finally, an empirical study is conducted by comparing the proposed multi-energy complementary system with traditional energy supply system. The results show that the development of a multi-energy complementary system in each region is feasible from the perspective of multiple dimensions to reduce environmental pollution, create employment opportunities, and improve the economy. Moreover, the system can significantly reduce the peak-valley difference and improve energy efficiency. • This paper analyzes the differences in energy structure in the different regions of China. • Construct a multi-energy complementary system in each region. • Demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a multi-energy complementary system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing the global DEA (data envelopment analysis), this paper analyzes China's energy efficiency from both static and dynamic perspectives based on China's provincial panel data for the period of 2001–2010. We present the evolution of energy efficiency in China from 2001 to 2010, and identify the key factors influencing the energy efficiency from the aspects of technical progress, productive scale and management level. The results show that there was an overall declining trend for China's energy efficiency from 2001 to 2005, and technical regress and the decrease in scale efficiency were the main reasons for this decline. Then an overall rising trend appeared during 2005–2010, and technical progress was the most important motivation for this increase. Moreover, among the three main regions in China, the eastern China was leading in the energy efficiency during the sample period, while the energy efficiency in western China fell far behind since the beginning. And the energy efficiency in central China was in the middle. This indicates that west region may be China's promising growth engine of energy efficiency in the future, and further technical progress is thought to be the key motivation for this improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific prediction of regional energy is of practical significance for rational control of energy supply. In this paper, to further minimize the influence of subjective factors, the grey relational analysis and the FGM(1,1) model whose forecast results are affected by the fixed order are selected to analyze the samples. Then, a new grey multi-variable AGMC(1,N) model with better prediction performance is used to study 13 provinces (cities) in 7 different regions of China in detail. The results show that only the energy consumption in Central China will decrease in the short term. Energy consumption in the remaining 6 regions will continue to rise, and the energy consumption of East China, Northeast China, and Northwest China have a remarkable growth trend. It is important to provide reliable data to China's energy regulators and provide a reference for regional energy reform in the short term. • The energy consumption in Central China will decrease in the short term. • The energy consumption of East China, North China and Northwest China will increase significantly. • The causes of energy consumption change are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: China has been experiencing industrialization and urbanization since reform and opening of its economy in 1978. Energy consumption in the country has featured issues such as a coal-dominated energy mix, low energy efficiency and high emissions. Thus, it is of great importance to explore the factors driving the increase in energy consumption in the past two decades and estimate the potential for decreasing energy demands in the future. In this paper a hybrid energy input–output model is used to decompose driving factors to identify how these factors impact changes in energy intensity. A modified RAS approach is applied to project energy requirements in a BAU scenario and an alternative scenario. The results show that energy input mix, industry structure and technology improvements have major influences on energy demand. Energy demand in China will continue to increase at a rapid rate if the economy develops as in the past decades, and is projected to reach 4.7 billion tce in 2020. However, the huge potential for a decrease cannot be neglected, since growth could be better by adjusting the energy mix and industrial structure and enhancing technology improvements. The total energy demand could be less than 4.0 billion tce in 2020. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Since energy consumption in process industries accounts for a great proportion of China''s total energy consumption, energy conservation becomes the practical choice to reduce the conflict between energy demand and energy supply in China, and therefore, promoting energy conservation is the long-term solution to China''s energy and environment problems from the source. In this paper, based on the introduction of the concept of energy consumption status in China''s key energy-consuming process industries, the main technical bottlenecks and resource-environment problems were analyzed with special emphasis on energy utilization efficiency, energy consumption mode, and waste emission. As for the measures to resolve these problems, at the policy level, policies and programs of Chinese government related to energy conservation were introduced in combination with China''s circular economy structure. At the technical level, the key technologies and research progress to improve energy utilization efficiency, reducing energy consumption, as well as utilizing the resource of discharged wastes were reviewed. Finally, three typical cases of the development of circular economy at three levels, namely the chemical industry, metallurgical industry, and electric power industry, were studied for the enforcement of circular economy and energy conservation in China''s process industries. [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: A survey of the key issues associated with the development in the Chinese iron and steel industry and current situations of energy consumption are described in this paper. The apparent production of crude steel in China expanded to 418.78 million tonnes in 2006, which was about 34% share of the world steel production. The iron and steel industry in China is still one of the major high energy consumption and high pollution industries, which accounts for the consumption of about 15.2% of the national total energy, and generation of 14% of the national total wastewater and waste gas and 6% of the total solid waste materials. The average energy consumption per unit of steel is about 20% higher than that of other advanced countries due to its low energy utilization efficiency. However, the energy efficiency of the iron and steel industry in China has made significant improvement in the past few years and significant energy savings will be achieved in the future by optimizing end-use energy utilization. Finally, some measures for the industry in terms of the economic policy of China''s 11th five-year plan are also presented. [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]

As a core driving force of many industries in China, energy supply is significant for China's economic growth. However, as an old Chinese saying, to do a good job, one must sharpen his device. The energy technology and engineering (ETE) industry should also be focused because it provides advanced technology and equipment to obtain energy resources and improve energy efficiency. Therefore, this paper analyzes China's listed ETE enterprises by evaluating their overall performance in two hierarchies namely operation management and stock performance. By proposing a double hierarchy network model, the two important hierarchies are integrated. Also, the endogenous R&D elasticity for the listed ETE enterprises is investigated. After that, we develop the double hierarchy network with an exogenous disturbance model to generally discuss external impacts on the ETE industry. It is found that the enterprises which are more potential to catch the opportunities to make them survived in the fierce competition when being affected by external uncertainties also show positive endogenous R&D elasticity. They perform also stably in the recent 5 years. Further, we provide the strategies from the perspectives of ETE managers and investors who are interested in this industry. For ETE managers, the strategies are different according to their specific enterprises' situations. Besides, we recommend certain enterprises as investment choices with or without considering any external factors that could impact the ETE industry. More significantly, since specific external uncertainties are difficult to be identified, the exogenous disturbance is generally discussed in this research. • We propose a double hierarchy model to analyze the R&D elasticity of ETE industry. • We empirically study all China's listed enterprises' R&D elasticity in ETE industry. • We conclude that R&D can help ETE enterprise cope with external uncertainty. • Strategies are given for ETE manager and investor to deal with external uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on Markowitz mean-variance theoretical model (MV), the energy portfolio optimization problem has been extensively studied to obtain the optimal strategies of energy resource allocations and achieve the efficient usages and productions of energy. However, MV leads to the optimal energy portfolios infeasible without consideration of uncertainties. Meanwhile, dealing with the uncertain input parameters in the model, robust mean-variance model (RMV-worst) can overcome this shortcoming, but the optimal energy portfolio performances are considerably inferior. Therefore, contrary to RMV-worst, this paper analytically constructs an alternative robust portfolio model (RMV-best). Furthermore, from the energy stock market of China the data containing two motion cycles is divided into three movement statuses to verify the overall performances of the optimal energy portfolios. Finally, the comparison results add to the existing researches on energy portfolio optimization by: (i) RMV-best can validly improve the energy portfolio performances while ensuring the optimal energy portfolios feasible. (ii) The different movement statuses significantly influence on the energy portfolio performances, subsequently giving the favorable decisions of energy portfolios. (iii) The optimal energy portfolios of RMV-best are very reliable, as further indicates that RMV-best can bring about the convincing energy portfolios. • Best-case scenario robust model is built, improve energy portfolio performances. • The movement statuses of stock market influence on the energy portfolio selection. • The more favorable energy portfolios can be obtained for each movement status. • Wide application of RMV-worst is inefficient and undesirable for energy portfolio. • The optimal energy portfolios of RMV-best are reliable and profitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploitation of shale oil resources has attracted the wide attention. Using traditional fossil fuel as power supply for shale oil in-situ electric heating mining has an impact on the environment. In this paper, we propose a renewable energy microgrid system as a power supply for in-situ heating mining system of shale oil. A hierarchical optimization model was developed to optimize the capacity allocation of the microgrid components, which employs HOMER to initial optimization, then an improved multi-objective particle swarm algorithm with the lowest the economic cost function and the annual load shortage rate index of the system is implemented. A hierarchical hybrid strategy game method is used to screen the generated Pareto set to meet the different preferences of decision-makers. The sensitivity analysis of system reserve capacity, wind resources, and wind turbine prices was carried out. The simulation results using data from a demonstration project in China verified that the proposed method optimized the use of renewable energy, reduced the operating costs and produced positive environmental benefits. The results of this study provide a useful reference for decision-makers to plan the power supply scheme of shale oil extraction by in-situ electric heating. • A renewable energy system supplies power to shale oil in-situ heating exploitation. • A hierarchical optimization model is developed to optimize this system. • The optimal comprise solution is screened using a hierarchical hybrid strategy game method. • Sensitivity analysis of important factors reveal the impact on the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's oil and gas consumption, which is not only significant to the industry but also related with national energy security, faces uncertainties in the future. This paper analyzes China's oil and gas consumption under five representative scenarios toward 2050 using an integrated modeling. In the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) scenario, China's oil consumption peaks at 705 million tons by 2035, and gas consumption ramps steadily up to reach 780 billion cubic meters by 2050. Oil provides 18% of China's primary energy by 2030 and 15% by 2050, and gas 14% by 2030 and 17% by 2050. The 2 °C and the 1.5 °C scenarios control China's 2050 oil consumption to 10% and 45% below the NDC level, respectively. Interestingly, more stringent mitigation tends to upscale China's gas consumption before 2040. Compared with the NDC scenario, the oil-price scenarios present limited influences on China's total energy consumption and end-use electrification but mainly feature a substitution between oil, gas and coal, non-fossil energy. Particularly, across our scenarios, China's oil import dependence is projected to largely fluctuate around 70% toward 2050, and gas import dependence to reach 50–60% beyond 2030, implying a continuously high risk of energy resource supply and national energy security. • China's oil and gas consumption is analyzed using an integrated modeling. • Oil consumption is estimated to peak by 2035 at 705 mtoe in the NDC scenario. • More stringent mitigation requires more gas consumption before 2040. • Oil and gas tend to still play an important role in the coming three decades. • Import dependence implies a continuously high risk of national energy security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]