Abstract
To improve energy-use sustainability in cities, we proposed a set of urban energy performance assessment indicators and influencing factors based on existing theory and literature. An urban energy performance assessment and influencing factor model was also constructed by the improved stochastic frontier analysis method, and panel data from provincial capitals in China from 2004 to 2013 were considered as an example to carry out an empirical study. Chosen from both endogenous and exogenous perspectives, the urban energy performance assessment indicators and influencing factors take into consideration the capital, labor, energy, urban economic output, urbanization level, population, area, urban climate, and travel selection. Because it considers both random errors and the inefficiency levels of urban productions, the urban energy performance assessment and influencing factor model could reduce the errors caused by two-stage performance assessment and factor analysis, quantify the effects of assessment indicators and influencing factors on urban energy performance, and reflect the actual performance of different cities. Empirical results show that the urban energy performance of provincial capitals in China has been increasing. Chinese provincial capitals also have great potential for energy saving. It was necessary to include energy input as an assessment indicator when evaluating urban energy performance. Population density and urban energy performance showed a negative correlation, but the urbanization rate, temperature index, and household car ownership were positively related to urban energy performance. The urban energy performance of Chinese provincial capitals gradually decreased from east to west. Based on these results, several policy suggestions on urban energy performance development are proposed.
Highlights
With rapid urbanization and socioeconomic development, urban energy consumption has come to account for 67% of global energy consumption [1]
The urban energy performance of each city was calculated based on the urban energy performance assessment and influencing factor model
Urban energy performance assessment indicators and influencing factors were selected based on literature analysis, the production function, and IPAT theory
Summary
With rapid urbanization and socioeconomic development, urban energy consumption has come to account for 67% of global energy consumption [1]. Production activities, residents’ living behaviors, socioeconomic levels, and development patterns of different cities directly affect urban energy performance. An actual production process involves its energy input, and other inputs and influencing factors, which should be comprehensively analyzed. For this purpose, total factor energy efficiency and total factor energy productivity are introduced. An energy performance measurement should construct a production frontier based on input-output relationships to reflect the two ratios: actual output to actual input, and actual output to optimal output. Urban energy performance can be regarded as the degree to convert inputs (including energy inputs) into optimal outputs under the influence of a variety of factors and a particular set of social regulations [13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
