Energy consumption, CO2 emissions of urban residential buildings in China and their modelling

Abstract

Purpose / Context - The purposes of this study are to clarify the trend of unit energy consumption (UEC) and its related CO2 emissions in urban residential buildings, and to develop models to predict the UEC in the future. Methodology / Approach - Statistical method is adopted to clarify the UEC and related CO2 emissions. Results – (1) The UEC averaged over all regions grows from 14.3GJ/household/year to 23.0GJ/household/year during the period of 2002 - 2012. Coal and LPG decrease and electricity, district heating increase in percentage. (2) The CO2 emissions are growing from 2,170 kgCO2/household/year to 3,671 kgCO2/household/year during the period of 2002 - 2010. CO2 emissions by electricity and district heating account for 54% and 35%, respectively. (3) Models are developed to estimate UEC for heating and non-heating regions, respectively. Key Findings / Implications – In order to reduce CO2 emissions by electricity and district heating it is efficient to improve the energy efficiencies of buildings, energy conversion systems, such as boilers, pipelines, generators, etc. It is also important to convert energy source from coal to cleaner energy, such as natural gas. Originality – This study makes clear quantatively the energy consumption in the urban residential buildings, and CO2 emissions caused by the energy consumption.