Energy efficiency rebound effect research of China’s coal industry

Abstract

Economic growth largely requires the support of growth in energy consumption and has also caused many carbon emissions. China is one of the few energy producers and consumers dominated by coal in the world. The rebound in coal energy efficiency will affect the country’s energy security and carbon neutrality by 2060. Therefore, this article initially defines the energy efficiency rebound effect of the coal industry and compares the rebound effect coefficient (REC) at the coal industry level and the enterprise (YK Group) level. The study found that energy intensity at the macro and micro levels has been downward, but with a rebound effect; at the industry level, the REC in the last 20 years was 30.27%, while at the enterprise level is 3.03%. The main reason for the huge gap is the difference in energy consumption statistics at different levels. Finally, this article proposes that coal consumption as raw material should not be defined as ”energy consumption” at the enterprise level. It gives suggestions for energy efficiency improvement at the enterprise level according to the practice.