Technology diffusion and carbon intensity of electric power in China

Abstract

The relationship between technology and carbon intensity has received a lot of attention in recent years. This paper focuses on the impacts of diffusion of new energy technologies and thermal power technology on carbon intensity of electricity production during 1996–2009. The results show that new energy maintained less than 20% over the period 1996–2009, and it can also decrease the carbon intensity of electricity power. However, the decline of thermal power carbon intensity driven by its technology diffusion was the main driver force of electricity power carbon intensity. However, the effect of thermal power technology diffusion was also different in different years as the speed of thermal power technology diffusion and technological learning ability was different.