Abstract
Energy sustainability is of vital importance to regional sustainability, because energy sustainability is closely related to both regional economic growth and social stability. The existing energy sustainability evaluation methods lack a unified system to determine the relevant influencing factors, are relatively weak in quantitative analysis, and do not fully describe the ‘paradoxical’ characteristics of energy sustainability. To solve those problems and to reasonably and objectively evaluate energy sustainability, we propose an energy sustainability evaluation model based on the matter-element extension method. We first select energy sustainability evaluation indexes based on previous research and experience. Then, a variation coefficient method is used to determine the weights of these indexes. Finally, the study establishes the classical domain, joint domain, and the matter-element relationship to evaluate energy sustainability through matter-element extension. Data from Shandong Province is used as a case study to evaluate the region’s energy sustainability. The case study shows that the proposed energy sustainability evaluation model, based on the matter-element extension method, can effectively evaluate regional energy sustainability.
Highlights
Energy is the lifeblood of economic development and the pillar of social development for a region
By calculating the comprehensive correlation using Formula (13), we generate: max Kj(V) = −0.2082 and K4(V) = −0.2231. This outcome indicates that Shandong Province had a critical sustainability grade in 2015; since it has shifted towards unsustainability. This is consistent with actual conditions, embodies the status of energy sustainability faced by Shandong Province, and provides a valuable reference for other regions
The energy sustainability evaluation model established in this paper resulted from combining the variation coefficient method for weight assignment and the matter-element extension method
Summary
Energy is the lifeblood of economic development and the pillar of social development for a region It is indispensable for people’s daily life. The sustainability of any activity refers to the balancing of social, environmental, and economic aspects and impacts. These three aspects can inform energy sustainability. The study calculates the appropriate balance of the three aspects (that is, a multi-index correlation), and evaluates the status of energy sustainability in Shandong Province. This model provides reference value for other regions and countries facing the same energy-related challenges
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