Urban energy flow processes in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (Jing-Jin-Ji) urban agglomeration: combining multi-regional input–output tables with ecological network analysis

Abstract

Regional disparity is due to economic development, physical geography, and lifestyle. Jing-Jin-Ji urban agglomeration is advocating integrated development, but its development is not so smooth. The goals of this research are to identify the energy utilization characteristics of the three regions and their ecological roles, and to promote the integrated development of this agglomeration system. To do so, we used the concept of “urban metabolism”, and abstracted sectors and energy flows as nodes and paths in a network model. Based on multi-regional input–output tables in China in 2002 and 2007, the monetary values in the tables can be converted into physical units. Furthermore, combining these tables with ecological network analysis can assess the indirect energy consumption of each sector, then its embodied energy consumption will be accounted for. Also, this method can reflect the roles (producer or consumer) of the three regions and of the five sectors in each region in regional energy exchanges. The results showed that Hebei had the largest embodied energy consumption in both years, with Beijing coming second. The ecological roles of the three regions did not change greatly between 2002 and 2007: Hebei acted as a producer, and Beijing and Tianjin served as consumers. Exploitation relationships were dominant in both years. This analysis provided insights that will support planning to adjust the industrial structure and future integrated development of the agglomeration.