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This study introduces a new regional feed-in tariff (FIT) pricing mechanism for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy in China, informed by real option (RO) theory and incorporating the increasing significance of tradable green certificate (TGC) policy revenues. The mechanism aims to balance government and consumer burdens with investor benefits. By factoring in additional income from green certificate sales, the study calculates the internal rate of return (IRR) to fall between 8 and 16% and uses a Monte Carlo simulation to determine optimal FITs for 30 Chinese provinces. These optimal FITs are then compared with current FITs, which are categorized by three types of solar resource regions, revealing that many current FITs are set within an inappropriate range and require adjustment. Additionally, the study observes minor differences in provincial FITs within six regional power grids, suggesting that setting FIT guide prices at the regional grid level is more practical than by solar resource regions. A sensitivity analysis examines the impact of green certificate prices, carbon prices, and technological advancements on the FIT for solar PV, comparing scenarios in a realistic environment versus a more favorable one. The results indicate that in a better environment—with higher TGC and carbon prices and encouraged corporate innovation—the FIT for solar PV is closer to the cost of coal-fired electricity, thus promoting grid parity. The study advocates for adjustments to the FIT mechanism, higher TGC and carbon prices, and the encouragement of innovation to enhance the competitiveness of solar PV energy in China's energy market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash can cause serious early volume expansion when stabilized and solidified by cementitious materials. Many pretreatment processes have been reported, such as alkali solution, milling and chelating etc. However, these processes may lead to second pollution or higher costs. This study proposed an original pretreatment process of MSWI fly ash, and investigated its effect on the immobilization efficiency by alkali-activated slag (AAS) cement. The possible reasons for volume instability were assumed and analyzed by gas chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, hydrostatic testing and leaching tests. It was found that the 0.377 wt% of metallic aluminum is the main expansive source of volume expansion in early stage (within 24 h). Due to the amphoteric characteristic of Al, it is possible to eliminate it using either acid or alkaline. Considering the fact that alkali-activated system and the fly ash were both alkaline, this study chose water immersion to pre-treat the fly ash, aiming to avoid the possible neutralization process of acid treatment and the entrained extra alkali component of alkali treatment, which may greatly affect many characteristics of alkali-activated slag. After pretreatment, the solidified specimens showed lower water demand (with a water to cement ratio of merely 0.27) and higher compressive strength due to the refined and smoothed particles. The volume expansive rate was greatly reduced, giving the better volumetric stability and encapsulation rate. Up to 90% MSWI fly ash-added solidified bodies feature a volume expansive rate of less than 0.09%. The alkali-activated slag pastes can effectively immobilize up to 70% treated fly ash with the leaching rate of solidified particles lower than the limits recommended by Chinese standard, Identification for extraction toxicity (CSEPA GB 5085.1, 2007). Therefore, the pretreatment process is easy to operate and is a promising way to increase the immobilization efficiency of alkali-activated slag cement. • Taking advantage of MSWI fly ash's own alkalinity to reduce volume expansion. • The pretreatment process won't produce waste water which brings second pollution. • Solidified bodies gained early and long-term volume stability after pretreatment. • The effective immobilization amount increased up to 70% after pretreatment. • AAS shows better potential than PC in immobilizing MSWI fly ash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technical innovation promotes manufacturing industry to achieve energy conservation and emission reduction. As an area that accounts for more than 50% of China's economy, east region of China has taken the lead in developing and focusing on promoting industrial upgrading based on the innovation-driven development strategy. The potential solution of transforming China's manufacturing industry is to enhance the capability of independent innovation by increasing the investment in research and development. Research on the sustainable development capacity of east region manufacturing industry has been giving important guidance for upgrading the manufacturing industry all over China. However, few studies explore the research and development effect on the energy-saving potential of manufacturing at the regional level, and study the individual dynamic behavior to reflect industry heterogeneity. In this paper, the dynamic panel data research method is employed to explore the influence of the research and development on energy conservation while introducing macroeconomic variables. Additionally, block bootstrap-based scenario analysis is employed to predict the energy conservation of manufacturing in east region in 2020 and 2025 based on historical annual data from 1990 to 2016. Compared with the business-as-usual scenario, the advanced scenario could reduce the energy demand of 427.53Mtce and 1066.28 million tons of coal equivalent in 2020 and 2025, respectively. The results indicate that there is much room for improvement in terms of the energy efficiency for China's east region. • We investigate the effect of R&D on energy conservation potential in eastern China. • The modeling framework is designed based on dynamic panel data model. • A block bootstrap based scenario analysis is employed to this study. • We provide long-term perspective for energy conservation potential prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]