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This paper explores opportunities for effective policy intervention for residential energy savings in southern China, by analyzing achievable potential of residential energy savings in the city of Xiamen as a case study. In contrast to static technical and economic potential analyses, the achievable potential analysis is based on dynamic energy consumption projections, which consider two real-world factors: (1) gradual ramping-up adoption process of advanced technical measures; and (2) consumers’ adoption of these measures. A bottom-up type Residential Energy Consumption (REC) projection model specifically tailored for southern China was developed in this paper, based on the general logic and calculation principles utilized in the U.S. EIA’s “National Energy Modeling System (NEMS),” and the adoption theory of advanced technical measures proposed by Kastovich. This REC projection model was then used as a policy analysis tool to quantitatively evaluate the impact of various policies on residential energy savings in the case study city of Xiamen. The analysis of the Xiamen case shows that although there is a significant technical potential for residential energy savings in the city (about 20.9–24.9%), the maximum achievable potential (MAP) in 2020 is only about 8.3–8.4% of that year’s business-as-usual baseline consumption. Moreover, with existing policies only about one-fourth to half of the calculated MAP is likely to be achieved by 2020. These findings indicate that in order to realize a larger share of achievable potential for residential energy savings in China, additional and more effective polices are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forms the core of China's foreign policy and future foreign cooperation, and energy cooperation is an important component of the BRI. Energy security is closely related to the interdependent relations between countries. The present paper investigates energy interdependent relations between China and the countries along the Belt and Road using data collected in the BP Statistical Review of World Energy , between 2000 and 2015. The main results are as follows: (1) Abundant proven reserves of energy resources exist in these countries, which were equivalent to 758.73 billion tons of standard coal in 2015, accounting for 52.27% of the world. The distribution of these resources presents a pattern with two centers—one in Russia, and one in West Asia and the Middle East. (2) Established interdependence relations exist between China and the countries along the Belt and Road in terms of energy cooperation. China has imported 437.21 million tons of standard coal from these countries and their guarantee degree to China's energy security is 58.42%, of which 13.56% refers to coal, 73.37% to oil, and 13.06% to gas. Meanwhile, their dependence degree in energy exports to China was 13.56%, or 11.15% for coal, 14.92% for oil, and 10.55% for gas. An interdependence relation thus exists between China and these countries, and the degree of mutual dependence between them was 0.23 (0.22 for coal, 0.13 for oil, and 0.38 for gas), locating China in a relatively passive position with respect to the countries along the Belt and Road as a whole, but a relatively active position in relation to individual countries (with the exception of Russia). Our findings are useful to the tasks of identifying the spatial distribution pattern of energy in countries along the Belt and Road, assisting in the promotion of energy cooperation between China and these countries, and the future construction of the BRI. Highlights • Energy cooperation relationships between China and the countries along the Belt and Road are examined. • The indicators of guarantee degree, dependence degree, and mutual dependence degree are selected for this study. • Energy resources present a pattern with two centers; one in Russia and one in West Asia and the Middle East. • Countries along the Belt and Road maintained an energy GD of 58.42% for China; their DD on China was 13.56%. • The MDD between China and the countries of the Belt and Road was 0.23, and China's position in the relation was passive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significant variation in building׳s energy intensity is partly due to the large number of distributed energy users characterized by heterogeneous lifestyles and nonuniform consumption behaviours. Understanding the degree of variation and its cause is critical to designing appropriate policies for energy efficiency improvement. This paper aims to provide a data-based benchmark of buildings energy performance in China and investigates the facts and causes of large variations in energy consumption across buildings based on updated and harmonised dataset. Specifically, the paper is the first in literature to decompose aggregate heating consumption in northern urban China and reallocate the disaggregate data to relevant residential and commercial building energy use, which makes it consistent to conduct international comparison of building performance in terms of primary energy intensity. It is found that buildings energy performance exhibits a sizeable heterogeneity varying with building typology and climate zones in China. Heating and cooling energy consumption for residential buildings located in HSCW climate zone may differ by a factor of 4–10 depending on the technology and energy supply mode, whereby nontechnical interventions may have significant impacts on total energy demand in the built environment. In particular, our analysis results point to the importance of making greater efforts in the commercial sector. Commercial buildings are found significantly more energy intensive than their residential counterpart, mainly due to the fact that BEE policy has been poorly implemented and architectural design has not been optimised in commercial sector. An estimate suggests that improving energy efficiency in the commercial sector may contribute to one-fifth of total energy savings potentials by 2020 in line with the IEA׳s 450 ppm scenario. It is necessary for Chinese building authorities to incorporate the heterogeneity characteristics across different climate zones and building typologies into BEE policy portfolio to effectively curb energy consumption related carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a good power supplement form of super power and large-scale energy base, distributed energy has the characteristics of less investment and flexible power generation. Facing with the double pressure of the sustainable development of energy use and environmental protection, it has become an efficient solution to meet the demand of load growth, reduce environmental pollution and improve the comprehensive utilization of energy and the reliability of power supply. However, the development of distributed energy starts relatively late in China and confronts many difficulties. So this paper analyzes the present development situation and existing problems of the distributed energy in China. Then it elaborates from the aspects of policies and regulations, technical specifications, price policy and grid-interconnection codes. At last, this paper puts forward relevant policy suggestions of the guarantee mechanism of distributed energy. This paper argues that, with the attention of the development of distributed energy increasing, a series of policies to promote the construction and interconnection of distributed energy will be introduced, and distributed energy will get scaled development in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Over the past century, fossil fuels have provided the majority of China's energy. However, their extensive utilization leads to a shortage and environmental pollution. Recently, submarine and permafrost gas hydrate deposits have been investigated as a possible clean and sustainable energy source by governmental institutions, research organizations, and energy industries in China. The primary objective of this paper is to review the potential studies pertaining to gas hydrate exploration and resource assessment, the safe and efficient exploitation of gas hydrates and the basic properties of gas hydrates. To date, there are over 20 institutions and organizations in China committed to gas hydrate investigation, among which the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey (GMGS) and the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS) etc. primarily focus on gas hydrate exploration research, while the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Research Center, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion (GIEC) and China University of Petroleum-Beijing (CUPB) etc. concentrate on gas hydrate mining technologies. In this paper, the occurrence and exploration of gas hydrates in both permafrost regions and the continental slope of China have been determined from numerous research contributions and are presented. Moreover, the latest progress in gas hydrate fundamental studies, including hydrate phase equilibria, hydrate formation mechanisms, hydrate thermal physical properties and the acoustics and resistivity characteristics of gas hydrates are briefly reviewed, and relevant data are gathered and compared. Emphasis is also placed on gas hydrate mining technologies and gas production using depressurization methods, thermal stimulation methods or other methods. Furthermore, the security of natural gas hydrate-bearing sediments during gas production and the environmental impacts of gas hydrate are identified. With additional financial and political support and advanced research facilities, research on gas hydrates in China is progressing rapidly but is still in its early developing stage, thus, future work should be undertaken with greater diligence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Facing with great pressure to feed the demand outstripping the supply situation as well as alleviate the energy pollution problem, China has accelerated the pace of shale gas exploration. During the 12th Five-Year-Plan (FYP) period, Chinese government and petroleum enterprises actively promoted the development of shale gas industry, and made certain progresses in various aspects. Meanwhile, a series of preferential and supportive policies were developed to encourage shale gas exploration. However, as the shale gas industry is still in the initial stage in China, there are many challenges and difficulties existing in shale gas development. This paper presents a systematical review on the current status and policies of shale gas industry in China, aiming to provide important reference to the policy-makers for introducing and improving policies. Firstly, the current status including progresses and difficulties is presented. Subsequently, the recent policies for shale gas development are reviewed. The analyses of current policies and implementation barriers are followed. Finally, specific policy suggestions are proposed and a general conclusion is drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An understanding of how storage technologies coordinate with other power resources to deliver value for electricity market participants in compliance with climate policy will be vital as policy makers seek to decarbonize electricity generation in a cost-effective way. This paper adopts a game-theoretic electricity market model to evaluate the interaction between pumped hydro storage, electric vehicles, and climate policy under a range of assumptions regarding market power and ownership of generation and storage assets. Using data from the Chinese electricity market, it shows that climate policy may not incentivize storage utilization especially when firms that hold a dominant position in storage operation own a limited portfolio of generation assets. In addition, electric vehicles may not improve consumers' welfare in the presence of pumped hydro storage when perfect competition exists in the market. These results have significant implications for public policy. • A game-theoretic electricity market model is evaluated for China. • The interaction between storage, electric vehicles, and climate policy is studied. • Climate policy may not incentivize storage use depending on the ownership of assets. • The benefits of electric vehicles decline in the presence of pumped hydro storage. • Perfect competition may not always create the best choices for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reviews drivers, resources, and technologies for building the hydrogen economy in China. China is unique in terms of its vast area, huge population and fast economic growth. These factors pose a great challenge for China to ensure a continuous and sufficient energy supply. In addition, the coal-based energy system of China inevitably results in huge CO2 emissions. Hydrogen shows the great potential in solving the concerns for improving energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen can be produced from abundant and widely distributed renewable energy resources, which implies an opportunity for China to diversify its energy supplies from a hydrogen economy. Moreover, hydrogen is the cleanest fuel especially when coupled with fuel cell. Chinese government has made ambitious policy and provides strong financial support for research and development of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. All the top-tier universities and institutes in China are conducting related research and Chinese companies express strong interest in the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The world has been suffering dramatically increasing energy consumption during recent years. As the biggest developing country, China has a more urgent situation. To highlight the promising potential of renewable energy may be the only solution. Due to the vast sea area and continuous coast line of 18,000km, China has an excellent tidal current energy resource, which has good prospect for development. In this paper, the development of tidal current in China is briefly reviewed. The description is focused on the tidal current energy resource and the status of conversion technologies in China. Finally, the opportunities of the development of tidal current in China, including the urgent energy situation, the increasing pressure on reducing emissions, national policies for tidal current energy development and the increase of investment, are discussed in detail. A conclusion is made that the tidal current energy ought to be an important option for China in terms of renewable energy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Climate change and limited primary energy resources require indigenous renewable electricity generation options to change the current coal-dominated power source matrix in China. The wind power is such a solution for the above challenges, and it still has large space for improvement in China. In this paper several critical factors related to Chinese wind power were studied in details, including the wind resources, the wind turbine industry and the policies from the Chinese government. Based on the study, the perspective of wind power in China was discussed. With outstanding advantages, the offshore wind power has a bright future in China, so its main characteristics are discussed. Based on the discussions, suggestions were given to improve the development of Chinese wind power, and the government''s further measures are also recommended. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper analyses the present situation of renewables international cooperation in China and India and the reasons, basis and conditions of China-India cooperation for renewable energy and explores China-India cooperation strategies for renewable energy. This study indicates that (1) the two countries have made a lot of progress in the international cooperation of renewable energy, but China-India cooperation for renewable energy is still in its primary stage; (2) there are not only the common benefits but also the solid basis and good conditions for China-India cooperation in the field of renewable energy; (3) there is need to explore and design the cooperation strategies for renewable energy of China and India in order to strengthen renewables cooperation between two countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]