Industrial Energy Consumption Research Articles

Research on Carbon Emissions Estimation in Key Industries Based on the Electricity–Energy–Carbon Model: A Case Study of Henan Province

This study focuses on the carbon emissions of key industries in Henan Province, employing techniques of seasonal adjustment, frequency transformation, and statistical modeling to construct an industry-level “Electricity–Energy–Carbon” model to aid in the high-frequency monitoring of carbon emissions in the province’s industries. Based on relevant data, this research performs high-frequency calculations of carbon emissions from energy consumption in 34 typical industries and from the production processes of 53 typical sub-categories in the industrial sector of Henan. The findings reveal the following: Firstly, industrial energy consumption in Henan accounts for over half of the total provincial energy consumption, with most months seeing proportions around 60%. Industries such as energy, non-ferrous metals, building materials, steel, chemicals, petrochemicals, and paper making contribute to over 80% of the industrial energy consumption’s carbon emissions, often nearing 90% in most months. Secondly, among the major industries, such as non-ferrous metals, chemicals, building materials, and steel, there is a dual challenge of being restricted under the “high energy consumption and high emissions” project while also being required to build key industrial bases, leading to fluctuating trends in historical annual carbon emissions data. Thirdly, six sub-categories, namely plastic products, cement, flat glass, steel, ten types of non-ferrous metals, and alumina, have significant carbon emissions in their production processes, accounting for about 72.3% of the total production-related emissions.

Research on copper flow and environmental load in China's new infrastructure industry for carbon neutrality

With the rapid development of new infrastructure in China, the demand for copper has increased significantly. In 2021, copper consumption in this sector accounted for 9.1% of China's total consumption, becoming a new driving force for copper demand. This study analyzed copper flow characteristics and primary driving factors in China's new infrastructure sectors using the material flow analysis method, quantified the environmental loads of the metabolic processes, and predicted copper demand in the new infrastructure sectors by 2030 through scenario analysis. The primary conclusions drawn are as follows: In 2021, copper consumption in new infrastructure sectors was 1,225,700 tons, with the rail transportation sector accounting for 59.6% and the artificial intelligence sector accounting for 0.6%. The rail transportation sector had the largest total environmental load, with carbon emissions of approximately 3,513,372 tons. From the perspective of tons of copper products, the 5G sector had the highest environmental load, while the big data centers had the lowest. In the seven sectors of new infrastructure, the environmental load contribution rates across the four stages showed little variation, with their proportions being 49.0, 29.8, 15.8, and 5.4%, respectively. Recycling of discarded copper products can effectively reduce industrial energy consumption and carbon emissions. Under the three scenarios set in this study, the copper demand in the new infrastructure sector by 2030 will be 3.856, 3.233, and 2.625 million tons, respectively. Using wind energy to replace coal in copper production can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 43.2%.

The Influence of the Geometry of Grooves on the Operating Parameters of the Impeller in a Centrifugal Pump with Microgrooves

Centrifugal pumps are one of the most widely used machines in all branches of industry. For this reason, their efficiency has a significant impact on energy consumption in global industry (about 20%). It is extremely difficult to design low-specific-speed centrifugal pumps at acceptable efficiency levels due to increasing losses in the impeller (hydraulic, volumetric, and mechanical). This article presents the influence of the geometric features of grooves (width, depth), and the number of them, on the operating parameters of the impeller in a centrifugal pump with microgrooves. The principle of operation of this solution involves the passive control of the flow in the boundary layer using rectangular grooves. The grooves are made inside the flow channels of the impeller and are intended to reduce hydraulic losses occurring during flow. This is mainly due to a reduction in losses in the boundary layer. In order to determine the influence of the grooves’ parameters on the energy characteristics of the impeller, numerical calculations and experimental measurements were performed on 15 sets of impellers, which were obtained using experimental planning methods. The CFD calculations were conducted in order to understand the flow phenomena that occur in the impeller with the microgeometry and their effect on a reduction in internal flow losses. Based on the research results, useful guidelines for designing impellers with low-speed characteristics were formulated.

Development and Promotion Countermeasures for Export Growth of Pakistan Textile Products

Pakistan's textile industry is vital to GDP, employment, and exports. Pakistan is strategically located in the global textiles and apparel market due to its large production and export capabilities. This sector struggles with inconsistent product quality, market barriers, high global standards, and protectionist trade policies in wealthy nations. Addressing these issues is essential for industry growth and global competitiveness. This study identifies these challenges and proposes strategic solutions to improve export performance and global competitiveness to boost Pakistan's textile sector's economic stability and growth. A thorough mixed-methods strategy integrating qualitative and quantitative research methodologies was employed in the study. By conducting surveys by websites and literature reviews related to the industry, we were able to gather primary data. We also used secondary sources such as government reports, trade journals, and trade organizations to compile our data. We used quantitative analyses in our study to determine how spending on R&D, technology upgrades, and quality control affected export performance. We looked at energy consumption, production, waste management, and export amounts in various industries of Pakistan. Improving export performance and meeting international standards requires investments in quality control, technology upgrades, and research and development, according to the study. It also lists the obstacles to entering certain markets and suggests ways to overcome them, such as through government assistance, sustainable practices, and vocational education and training. If Pakistan's textile industry follows these suggestions, it will become more competitive internationally.

Spatiotemporal variation and evolutionary analysis of the coupling coordination between urban social-economic development and ecological environments in the Yangtze River Delta cities

When the process of urbanization has brought economic benefits in Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB), the environmental issues become increasingly prominent. The evolutionary coupled coordination degree (CCD) between urban social economy and ecological environments was explored in 41 cities of YREB. Results indicated that the overall CCD between urban social economy and ecological environments showed a fluctuating upward trend from 2010 to 2020 in YREB. The CCD of Shanghai was the best among these of 41 cities, while those of three provinces were lower than the average CCD of YREB. There were significant differentiated spatial clusters of high and low among these YREB cities in both the global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses during 2010–2020. The CCD estimations indicated a fitted spatial distribution of "high in the east and low in the west" in YREB. Furthermore, CCD was positively influenced by the urban density of population, economic acceleration and technical advancement (P < 0.01), while it was negatively influenced by the urban industrial structures and energy consumption (P < 0.01). Subsequently, corresponding policy implications and recommendations, including enhancing policy innovation and promoting technological progress, were proposed to facilitate the formulation of evidence-based developmental strategies and policies of sustainable cities and society in YREB.

Carbon performance analysis of upgraded wastewater treatment plants in key control areas of the Ziya River Basin in China

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and they are also one of the largest energy consumption industries in urban systems. With the progression of upgrading and standard-rising, WWTPs both directly and indirectly increase carbon emissions from the increased investments in facilities and usages in electricity as well as chemical agents. Here, we collected operational data from 15 WWTPs in the key control areas of the Ziya River Basin in North China and accounted for the changes in carbon performance at different technical upgrade methods. Results showed that the average carbon emission performance increased by 0.487 kg CO2/m3 after the upgrade. Carbon emissions from electricity consumption, chemical usage, biochemical process and sludge treatment accounted for 42%, 17%, 24%, and 17% of the total improvement in carbon emission performance, respectively. Reducing energy consumption, regulating chemical use and sludge comprehensive utilization are the key to carbon emission reduction. It further proposes that the development of wastewater treatment discharge standards should fully consider the comprehensive utilization of water quality classification. Regions with favorable natural conditions should make full use of their advantages by adopting economically feasible, low-energy-consuming technologies such as constructed wetlands, which offer carbon sequestration and landscaping benefits. This study provides guidance on the selection of technological pathways for pollution reduction and carbon mitigation in the wastewater treatment industry and on achieving sustainable water resource utilization.

The complex interplay between sectoral energy consumption and economic growth: Policy implications for Iran and beyond

Iran's abundant energy reserves starkly contrast with recent power and gas shortages, particularly impacting the industrial sector. Furthermore, long-term trends reveal a concerning pattern where total primary energy consumption has outpaced economic growth, doubling in recent decades. These challenges emphasize the need for a thorough evaluation of the intricate interplay between sectoral energy consumption and economic output in Iran, bearing profound policy implications. The current study employs ARDL and VECM approaches to analyze empirical long- and short-term dynamics. Regarding Iran, the results unveil causal relationships from industrial energy consumption to GDP and from GDP to energy consumption in buildings. Notably the significant positive value of elasticity of GDP with respect to industrial energy use highlights the need for nuanced energy management measures. Variations across sectors underscore the justification for recognizing industrial energy consumption as productive energy use. The results gain additional support from a panel data analysis spanning fourteen diverse countries, bearing significance for IAMs applied in climate change research. While IAMs traditionally employ total energy consumption or the sectoral energy uses collectively, as production factors, the research highlights the need to reevaluate model frameworks for potential different outcomes from established practices.

Impact of Nanoparticle Additions on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Ceramic Tiles Production.

The ceramic tile industry, with significant energy and material demands in its manufacturing processes, has employed technological innovations in energy efficiency, advanced equipment and tile thickness reduction to address these challenges. This study aimed to assess the impact of Ag2O, CuFe2O4, Fe3O4, and SiO2 nanoparticles (0%, 1%, and 5% by weight) on the mechanical strength, water absorption, and apparent thermal conductivity of ceramic tiles, as well as their capacity to reduce energy and raw material consumption. This reduction translates into a decrease in environmental impacts, which have been evaluated through life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology applied to the manufacturing processes. Nanoparticles (Ag2O, CuFe2O4, Fe3O4, and SiO2) were initially screened on TF clay (0%, 1%, 5% w/w), and the most effective were applied to CR1 and CR2 clays (0%, 1%, 5% w/w). Findings indicated a 32% increase in temperature gradient and a 16% improvement in flexural strength with the addition of Fe3O4 nanoparticle at 1% (w/w) in TF clay. Furthermore, there was a potential 48% reduction in energy consumption, and up to 16% decrease in tile weight or thickness without affecting the flexural strength property of the test tiles. LCA results demonstrated that the addition of Fe3O4 nanoparticle has potential reductions of up to 20% in environmental impacts. This study suggests that nanoparticle addition offers a viable alternative for reducing energy and material consumption in the ceramic tile industry. Future research should focus on assessing the economic impact of transitioning to a sustainable business model in the ceramic tile industry with nanoparticles addition.

Study on urban green development efficiency of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian in China: a mixed network SBM approach

PurposeBy studying the green development efficiency (GDE) of 33 cities in the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian in China, this study strives to conduct an analysis of the sustainable practices implemented in these developed regions, and derive valuable insights that can foster the promotion of green transformation.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the urban green development system (GDS) was decomposed into the economic benefit subsystem (EBS), social benefit subsystem (SBS), and pollution control subsystem (PCS). Then, a mixed network SBM model was proposed to evaluate the GDE during 20152020, with Moran’s I and Bootstrap truncated regression model subsequently applied to measure the spatial characteristics and driving factors of efficiency.FindingsSubsystem efficiency presents a distribution trend of PCS &gt; EBS &gt; SBS. There is a particular spatial aggregation effect in EBS efficiency, whereas SBS and PCS efficiencies have no significant spatial autocorrelation. Furthermore, urbanization level contributes significantly to the efficiency of all subsystems; industrial structure, energy consumption, and technological innovation play a crucial role in EBS and SBS; external openness is a pivotal factor in SBS; and environmental regulation has a significant effect on PCS.Originality/valueThis study further decomposes the black box of GDS into subsystems including the economy, society, and environment. Additionally, by employing a mixed network SBM model and Bootstrap truncated regression model to investigate efficiency and its driving factors from the subsystem perspective, it endeavors to derive more detailed research conclusions and policy implications.

Experimental Study on Calcination of Portland Cement Clinker Using Different Contents of Stainless Steel Slag.

In order to increase the utilization rate of stainless steel slag, reduce storage needs, and mitigate environmental impacts, this study replaces a portion of limestone with varying amounts of stainless steel slag in the calcination of Portland cement clinker. The study primarily examines the influence of stainless steel slag on the phase composition, microstructure, compressive strength, and free calcium oxide (ƒ-CaO) content of Portland cement clinker. The results show the following: (1) Using stainless steel slag to calcine Portland cement clinker can lower the calcination temperature, reducing industrial production costs and energy consumption. (2) With an increase in the amount of stainless steel slag, the dicalcium silicate (C2S) and tricalcium silicate (C3S) phases in Portland cement clinker initially increase and then decrease; the C3S crystals gradually transform into continuous hexagonal plate-shaped distributions, while the tricalcium aluminate (C3A) and tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C4AF) crystal structures become denser. When the stainless steel slag content is 15%, the dicalcium silicate and tricalcium silicate phases are at their peak; the C3S crystals are continuously distributed with a relatively dense structure, and C3A and C4AF crystals melt and sinter together, becoming distributed around C3S. (3) As stainless steel slag content increases, the compressive strength of Portland cement clinker at 3 days, 7 days, and 28 days increases and then decreases, while ƒ-CaO content decreases and then increases. When the stainless steel slag content is 15%, the compressive strength at 28 days is at its highest, 64.4 MPa, with the lowest ƒ-CaO content, 0.78%. The test results provide a basis for the utilization of stainless steel slag in the calcination of Portland cement clinker.

Low-carbon scheduling of electricity consumption in wastewater treatment plant by using photovoltaic system

Sewage treatment as a high energy consumption industry, its electricity consumption accounts for 3 % of the total electricity consumption of society. That means significant greenhouse gas emissions. In the context of China's goal of “reaching carbon peak by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060”, reducing the energy consumption of wastewater treatment systems has emerged as an important issue in recent years. In this paper, the GPS-X simulation software was employed to conduct a simulation study of a modified Anoxic-Aerobic-Oxic wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Wuhan, and the response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to ascertain the interactive effects of DO, IRF, ERR, and SD on the effluent quality, thereby identifying the operational parameters that minimize energy consumption while maintaining satisfactory effluent quality. Additionally, the PVsyst software was employed to design the solar power generation system of the WWTP and analyze its power generation potential. On this basis, through the coupling of photovoltaic power, electricity load, time-of-use pricing, and the water quality simulation model, and taking the WWTP data in September as a case study, the electricity usage strategies under various illumination conditions were formulated. The aim is to maximize the use of photovoltaic power to reduce the cost and carbon emissions of the WWTP. The results show that the optimal combination of operational parameters, including an external reflux ratio of 0.3, the internal recycle flow of 50,000 m3/d, and the sludge discharge of 448 m3/d, resulted in a reduction in power of 208.5 kW, and after the combination optimization of operational parameters and electricity utilization, the operation cost of the WWTP in September was reduced by 40 % ∼ 60 %, and the carbon emission attributable to electricity was reduced by 30 % ∼ 50 %.

Exploring the mechanisms affecting energy consumption in the construction industry using an integrated theoretical framework: Evidence from the Yangtze River economic Belt

Significant environmental challenges remain due to growing construction industry energy consumption (CIEC). Most existing studies focus on energy consumption at the city level, neglecting industry-level perspectives. To clearly explain the CIEC mechanism in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB), this study adopts panel data from the YREB collected by the Chinese government from 2004 to 2020 and constructs an analytical model of the CIEC impact mechanism. Through Granger causality, impulse response function, and variance decomposition analyses, we found that technological innovation has an inverted U-shape and the greatest impact on CIEC, with a contribution rate gradually increasing with the cycle, finally reaching 0.4 %. The impact of urban development and foreign direct investment on CIEC shows a gradual upward trend, with a final contribution rate of 0.3 %; and the impact of urban resident population on CIEC is very small, with a contribution rate of only 0.1 %. Therefore, this study provides a new theoretical framework for future research on energy consumption and a theoretical basis for CIEC management from a government and construction industry manager perspectives.

Occurrence, removal, and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives in typical wastewater treatment plants

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have a certain removal capacity for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives, but some of them are discharged with effluent into the environment, which can affect the environment. Therefore, to understand the presence, sources, and potential risks of PAHs and their derivatives in WWTPs. Sixteen PAHs, three chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ClPAHs), three oxidized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs), and three methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MPAHs) were detected in the influent and effluent water of three WWTPs in China. The average concentrations of their influent ∑PAHs, ∑ClPAHs, ∑OPAHs, and ∑MPAHs ranged from 2682.50 to 2774.53 ng/L, 553.26–906.28 ng/L, 415.40–731.56 ng/L, and 534.04–969.83 ng/L, respectively, and the effluent concentrations ranged from 823.28 to 993.37 ng/L, 269.43–489.94 ng/L, 285.93–463.55 ng/L, and 376.25–512.34 ng/L, respectively. The growth of heat transport and industrial energy consumption in the region has a significant impact on the level of PAHs in WWTPs. According to the calculated removal efficiencies of PAHs and their derivatives in the three WWTPs (A, B, and C), the removal rates of PAHs and their derivatives were 69–72%, 62–71%, and 68–73%, respectively, and for the substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (SPAHs), the removal rates were 41–49%, 31–40%, and 33–39%, respectively; moreover, the removal rates of PAHs were greater than those of SPAHs in the WWTPs. The results obtained via the ratio method indicated that the main sources of PAHs in the influent of WWTPs were the combustion of coal and biomass, and petroleum contamination was the secondary source. In risk evaluation, there were 5 compounds for which the risk quotient was considered high ecological risk. During chronic disease evaluation, there were 11 compounds with a risk quotient considered to indicate high risk. PAHs and SPAHs with high relative molecular masses in the effluent of WWTPs pose more serious environmental hazards than their PAHs counterparts.

Energy intensity constraints and corporate investment strategies: Evidence from Chinese listed enterprises

This study theoretically analyzes and empirically tests the impact and mechanism of energy intensity constraints on corporate investment strategies. The results find that energy intensity constraints significantly increase corporate green investment, particularly in front-prevention investment. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the optimization effect of energy intensity constraints on corporate investment strategies is stronger in state-owned enterprises and high energy-consuming industries. Mechanism analysis reveals that energy intensity constraints optimize corporate investment strategies by increasing policy incentives and policy restraints. The findings provide important implications for policymakers to promote corporate sustainability and potential directions for future related research.

Efficiency measurement and inefficiency analysis of low-carbon logistics in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, China

Under the dual-carbon goals, enhancing the green development level of logistics industry and realizing its low-carbon transformation are important issues that need to be solved urgently. Amidst the continuous escalation in the total energy consumption of the national logistics industry, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region has exhibited a favorable descending trajectory in this respect. It is necessary to investigate the underlying reasons. Based on the panel data from 2012 to 2021, the DEA and Malmquist index are employed to analyze the low-carbon logistics efficiency of the BTH region from both static and dynamic perspectives. Furthermore, the inefficiency analysis is conducted to identify the deficiencies of low-carbon logistics industry in this region. Results show that (1) from the static perspective, the development of low-carbon logistics industry in the BTH region is relatively unbalanced. Compared to Tianjin and Hebei, Beijing's low-carbon logistics efficiency is significantly lower, becoming the focal area for attention; (2) from the dynamic perspective, technological progress is the main reason for the fluctuation of total factor productivity in the BTH region and a constraining factor for further improvements; (3) from the results of inefficiency analysis, the forthcoming emphasis on low-carbon logistics in Beijing should be on optimizing the number of logistics practitioners, transportation efficiency, and energy efficiency. Economic output and energy efficiency are relatively vulnerable aspects in Tianjin and Hebei, respectively, warranting due consideration. The research results of this paper have important practical implications for better developing low-carbon logistics in the BTH region and leveraging its leading role nationwide.

Evolution characteristics, carbon emission effects and influencing factors of production-living-ecological space in Taihang Mountain poverty belt, China

The rapid advancement of urbanization and industrialization in China has gradually spread to the poor mountainous areas, which has not only brought about rapid economic development but has also caused the increasing competition for production-living-ecological spaces (PLES) and many ecological and environmental problems, carbon emissions have also increased. As an economically less developed and ecologically fragile area in China, whether the transition of the PLES in the mountain poverty belt has unique characteristics? How the PLES transition in mountainous areas affects carbon emissions and what are the important factors affecting carbon emissions? To explore these issues in depth, we studied the Taihang Mountain area in Shijiazhuang (TMS) using remote sensing image interpretation data from 2000, 2010, and 2020, and we analyzed the PLES evolution characteristics, carbon emission changes, carbon emission effects and its influencing factors of PLES. The results are as follows: 1) The TMS was dominated by ecological and production space. From 2000 to 2020, the production space decreased by 384.66 km2, the ecological space increased by 123.80 km2, and the living space increased by 260.86 km2. Agricultural production space was mainly converted to ecological and rural living space. Industrial and mining productive space was mainly converted to agricultural productive space and urban living space. 2) The study area was in a state of carbon deficit, the transition of ecological space and agricultural productive space to industrial and mining productive space and living space were the main transition types caused the carbon emissions increasing, and that of industrial and mining productive space to agricultural productive space was the main type caused the carbon emissions decreasing. 3) The proportion of construction land, urbanization rate and proportion of secondary industry are the main factors leading to the increase of carbon emissions. Per capita energy consumption, forest coverage and proportion of tertiary industry are the main factors leading to the decrease of carbon emissions. This can provide new ideas for research on carbon emissions from land-use changes and a theoretical basis for the optimization of territorial space in the mountainous areas of China.

Component analysis for energy-efficient multimedia networks utilizing 5G radio access technologies

The object of the research is the energy-efficient multimedia networks based on 5G wireless access technologies. The research is aimed at developing energy-efficient multimedia networks based on 5G wireless access technologies, considering the increasing importance of information and communication technologies (ICT) in modern society. With the proliferation of wireless access networks and the advancement of fifth-generation mobile networks (5G), there is a need to assess and reduce the environmental impact of ICT. The article specifically focuses on the challenges related to energy consumption and CO2 emissions in radio access networks, highlighting the responsibility to balance technological advancements with environmental concerns. The paper examines various components and technologies necessary for enhancing energy efficiency in multimedia networks. It discusses the concept of multimedia, including digital storage, data processing, and interactive elements. Statistical data is provided to underscore the significant energy consumption and carbon footprint of the ICT industry, with an emphasis on radio access networks. Heterogeneous networks, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technologies, and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technologies are identified as key components for achieving energy efficiency. The importance of reducing the distance between transmitters and receivers in heterogeneous networks is emphasized, as well as the use of energy-saving strategies such as putting small base stations into sleep mode during low network loads. Special attention is given to the role of green data centers in reducing CO2 emissions and optimizing the use of green energy in high-performance networks. Proposed methods include leveraging renewable energy sources, improving hardware energy efficiency, and implementing energy-efficient routing. The findings offer valuable insights for the development and implementation of energy-efficient multimedia networks, particularly in the context of 5G networks. The interdisciplinary approach advocated in the conclusion emphasizes the collective efforts needed to address environmental challenges in the field of information and communication technologies. The combination of these technologies ensures efficient resource utilization and reduced environmental impact compared to similar known approaches.

Scenario analysis of energy consumption and related emissions in the transportation industry-a case study of Shaanxi Province.

In the context of pursuing carbon neutrality and balancing the use of fossil fuels with renewable energy, the transportation industry faces the challenge of accurately predicting energy demand, related emissions, and assessing the effectiveness of energy technologies and policies. This is crucial for formulating energy management plans and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) and atmospheric pollutant emissions. Currently, research on energy consumption and emission forecasting primarily relies on energy consumption quantities and emission factors, which lack precision. This study employs the low emissions analysis platform (LEAP) model, utilizing a "bottom-up" modeling approach combined with scenario analysis to predict and analyze the energy demand and related emissions in the transportation industry. Compared to previous studies, the methodological framework proposed in this research offers higher precision and can explore energy-saving and emission-reduction pathways for different modes of transport, providing a valuable energy forecasting tool for transport policy formulation in other regions. The forecast results indicate that under the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, by 2049, the energy consumption and related emissions in Shaanxi Province's transportation industry are expected to increase by 1.15 to 1.85 times compared to the baseline year. In the comprehensive (CP) scenario, the industry is projected to reach a carbon peak around 2033. The study also finds that energy consumption and emissions predominantly originate from private passenger vehicles, highway freight, and civil aviation passenger, which have the greatest potential for emission reduction under the transport structure optimized (TSO) scenario. Therefore, policymakers should consider regional development characteristics, combine different transportation modes, and specifically analyze the emission reduction potential of the transportation industry in various regions, formulating corresponding reduction policies accordingly.

Benzoic acid catalyzed production of xylose and xylooligosaccharides from poplar

The proficient synthesis of xylose and xylooligosaccharides (XOS) from lignocellulosic biomass proved to be a formidable undertaking, particularly in the absence of preliminary hemicellulose isolation. In this study, the potential of benzoic acid (BZA), a non-toxic and edible acidic catalyst, was assessed for the pretreatment of poplar in order to produce xylose and xylooligosaccharides (XOS). At low temperatures (< 160°C) or low acid concentrations (< 2%), the main product obtained from the depolymerization of hemicellulose was XOS, and no significant depolymerization occurred on a large scale. The results showed that the highest extraction yield of hemicellulose was 93.1% with 2% BZA at 160°C for 0.75 h, hemicellulose was mainly converted into xylose and XOS, with xylose accounting for 27.1% and XOS accounting for 46.7%. Meanwhile, the results of the process simulation of industrial energy consumption indicated that the amount of water added was the main factor affecting energy consumption in industrialization, followed by temperature. This study presented a promising approach for the industrial-scale manufacturing of xylose and XOS from poplar as a primary resource.

Rural household nonagricultural income and energy transition: Evidence from central China

Promoting China's energy transition is essential for achieving low-carbon development and achieving the nation's carbon neutrality target. Previous research has primarily focused on industrial production energy consumption transition paths, and rural household energy consumption has rarely been investigated. This study focuses on the impact of nonagricultural income on rural household energy consumption in the Huang-Huai-Hai region using questionnaire data, examining the contribution of rural households' nonagricultural income to the energy consumption transition (i.e., from dirty energy sources such as firewood to clean energy sources such as liquified petroleum gas (LPG)). Instrumental variable two-stage least squares (IV-2SLS) estimation and IV-tobit models are applied to solve potential endogeneity problems. The results demonstrate that nonagricultural income can promote rural households' energy structure transformation, increase spending on clean energy such as LPG and electricity, and decrease expenditure on dirty energy sources such as coal and firewood. Further examination reveals that nonagricultural income can enable rural households to afford modern necessities and transition to cleaner, more efficient energy. The study proposes promoting rural energy structure transformation to boost sustainable development and increase nonagricultural income. Strengthening skills training, encouraging more off-farm employment, and other approaches will diversify rural households' income.