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This study thoroughly explored the origin of coal production capacity using simultaneous equation model (SEM) with 2006–2014 data sample. Scenario analysis, including market regulation scenario (MRS), central policy strengthening scenario (CPE), and two-level government policy strengthening scenario (TPE), was also conducted to determine the degree of influence on resolving overcapacity considering construction industry development, policy control, forecasted coal production capacity, and future supply and demand changes. Results show that (1) construction industry development plays a significant and sustained role in the advancement of four major coal-consuming industries. (2) Construction industry development, coal prices, industrial policy, and natural resources positively affect capacity investments in coal production. (3) The policies put forward by the central government inhibiting capacity investments exert greater effect than those promoting capacity investments. (4) The central and local governments make production policies based on their independent interests has minimal success. And the effect of refinement policies by local governments is generally better than that of those by the central government. (5) Under MRS, CPE, and TPE, the coal production capacity (CPC) will reach 5.399, 5.044, and 4.952 billion tons, respectively, by 2020; the coal supply will reach 4.304, 4.174, and 4.139 billion tons, respectively, by 2020. The coal demand will reach 4.03 billion tons by 2020. By 2020, coal supply is projected to be at least 109 million tons greater than coal demand. From industrial restructuring and upgrading to refining and implementing capacity policies are suggested along with the market-oriented reform of the supply side of coal industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tackling coal-burning industrial boiler is becoming one of the key programs to solve the environmental problem in China. Assessing the economics of various options to address coal-fired boiler is essential to identify cost-effective solutions. This paper discusses our work in conducting a cost-effectiveness analysis on various types of improvement measures ranging from energy efficiency retrofits to switch from coal to other fuels in China. Sensitivity analysis was also performed in order to understand the impacts of some economic factors such as discount rate and energy price on the economics of boiler improvement options. The results show that nine out of 14 solutions are cost-effective, and a lower discount rate and higher energy price will result in more energy efficiency measures being cost-effective. Both monetary and non-monetary barriers to energy-efficiency improvement are discussed and policies to tackle these barriers are recommended. Our research aims at providing a methodology to assess cost-effective solutions to boiler problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tackling coal-burning industrial boilers is one of the key solutions to meeting the climate change and solving the environmental problem in China. Assessing the economics of various options to address coal-fired boilers is essential to identify cost-effective solutions. This paper discusses our work in conducting a comprehensive techno-economic analysis to evaluate various strategies for improving efficiency and maximize fuel-switching of industrial boilers. The analysis focused on three options: (1) fuel switching to replace coal with alternative fuels for small size of boilers; (2) retrofitting boilers through a series of efficiency improvement measures; (3) developing community-scale, distributed systems to replace otherwise scattered boilers operated by individual industrial facilities. Key barriers that prevent these solutions from being fully captured are discussed and policy recommendations to tackle these barriers are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]