Energy-saving And Emission-reduction Research Articles

Multistage charging facility planning on the expressway coordinated with the power structure transformation

AbstractThis study presents a novel multistage expressway fast charging station (EFCS) planning problem coordinated with the dynamic regional power structure (PS) transformation. Under the prerequisite of the EFCS network's sustainable operation, network accessibility, and orderly construction, a three‐step planning method oriented to the enhancement of energy saving and emission reduction (ESER) benefits and rationalization of facility utilization is developed: (i) EV‐expanded network, (ii) multiagent‐based dynamic traffic assignment (MA‐DTA), and (iii) deployment refinement. Embedding the MA‐DTA and customized refinement strategy into the iterative planning structure enables the integration of operations and planning of the EFCS network. A numerical experiment and an empirical study in the Shandong Peninsula urban agglomeration are conducted. It demonstrates that the method can find a high‐quality solution within acceptable computation time and is applicable to realistic large‐scale EFCS planning. The planning method can effectively play the role of economy and facility in inducing EV users' charging demands, thus enhancing the overall ESER benefits. The integration of operation and planning is proven effective in reasonably matching the supply and demand of facility service and charging loads in a full‐time period. Further, the multistage EFCS planning schemes during 2025–2045 are explored, and some insightful policy implications are revealed.

Applications of Information Technology in Building Carbon Flow

The construction industry, as one of the three major carbon emission (CE) industries, accounts for about 39% of the global CE. Thus, approaches for energy saving and emission reduction (ES/ER) cannot be delayed. With the advent of the Industry 4.0 era, information technology (IT) is used to investigate CE in the construction industry, which provides great convenience for measuring and calculating building carbon emissions (BCE) and proposing effective ES/ER measures. However, limited studies have provided a holistic overview of the application of IT in BCE. To fill this gap, this study searched related articles and screened 170 relevant papers. Based on the characteristics of the literature, building carbon flow (BCF) was defined. Based on scientometric analysis and network mapping analysis, combined with quantitative and qualitative analysis methods, the functions, advantages, and limitations of IT in each stage of BCF research were reviewed. Finally, the research trends and future research directions of IT in the BCF were discussed. Specifically, the building information model technology penetrates the whole process of BCF research, deep learning and artificial intelligence have great potential in BCF research, and multi-information technology integration will become the focus of subsequent research in the construction industry.

Can digital technology application promote energy saving and emission reduction practices in enterprise? An empirical study based on the awareness-motivation-capability perspective

Digital technology has become a promising measure to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. So, can digital technology application (DTA) promotes energy saving and emission reduction (ESER) practices in enterprise? To answer this question, this paper studies the influence and mechanism of DTA on enterprise ESER practices based on the awareness-motivation-capability (AMC) framework. The data of 3803 observations of listed companies in China from 2011 to 2020 are analyzed using the ordered logit model. Results indicate that DTA has a significant driving effect on ESER practices in enterprise. In terms of internal managers’ characteristics, both the average age of TMT and managerial myopia negatively moderate the effect of DTA on enterprise ESER practices, alleviating the effect between both. In terms of external government intervention, the moderating effects of environmental regulation and government subsidies are investigated, with the former enhancing the relationship between DTA and ESER practices, while the latter weakening the relationship.

The impact of China’s energy saving and emission reduction demonstration city policy on urban green technology innovation

Urban green technology innovation (UGTI) is strongly tied to environmental regulations, which can successfully balance economic and environmental benefits. Selecting the panel data for 280 Chinese cities during 2006–2019, we take the energy saving and emission reduction (ESER) demonstration city policy as a quasi-natural experiment, then employ the difference-in-differences model to examine the effect and its mechanisms of ESER policy on UGTI. Empirical results show that the ESER policy can significantly promote UGTI, especially in the western region, the northern region, and cities with weak government environmental attention. At the same time, China’s ESER policy has a stronger promoting effect on UGTI in cities where environmental targets are more stringent. Mechanism analysis shows that the policy mainly promotes UGTI through two channels: increasing the proportion of science and technology expenditure in fiscal expenditure and upgrading the structure of the industry. In addition, we find that the development of UGTI has positive environmental effects by lowering carbon emissions and air pollution. The findings not only enrich the literature on environmental regulation policies and UGTI at the theoretical level, but also provide references for policymakers to specific implementation methods in further enforcing environmental regulation policies to improve UGTI.

Research on the Impact of Energy Saving and Emission Reduction Policies on Carbon Emission Efficiency of the Yellow River Basin: A Perspective of Policy Collaboration Effect

With China’s proposed carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, energy conservation and emission reduction are becoming increasingly urgent for the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. Based on a systematic combing through of the energy saving and emission reduction (ESER) policies in the Yellow River Basin, this paper empirically analyzed the impacts of objectives collaboration and measures collaboration of ESER policies on the carbon emission efficiency of prefecture-level cities in the Yellow River Basin, by comprehensively adopting the super-slack-based measure (Super-SBM) model and the two-way fixed-effect model. The results of the study found that: (1) with the continuous improvement in policies, the collaboration level of ESER policies in the Yellow River Basin has been significantly improved; (2) the dual-objective collaboration of ESER policies has a significant promotional effect on the carbon emission efficiency of the Yellow River Basin with a lag effect, while the impact of multi-objective collaboration is not significant; (3) the dual-measure collaboration and multi-measure collaboration of ESER policies can effectively promote the improvement in carbon emission efficiency in the Yellow River Basin. This indicates that, in terms of carbon emission reduction in the Yellow River Basin, the objective setting of ESER policies can not be too much, and should pay attention to the mutual coordination of different policy measures to strengthen the carbon reduction effect of ESER policies collaboration.

Do Green Transfer Payments Contribute to Carbon Emission Reduction?

Reducing carbon emissions is the top priority for mankind for dealing with climate issues. The Chinese government selected 30 demonstration cities in three batches and provided these cities green special transfer payment funds for three years to build green projects and achieve energy saving and emission reduction (ESER). This policy provides a great opportunity to study whether green transfer payments play an important role in carbon reduction, which has received little attention before. Additionally, the central government set a series of fiscal performance assessment indicators, including the ESER effect, the completion of green projects, and long-term mechanism construction in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of funds. This article creatively conducts theoretical analysis from the perspective of performance assessment, takes ESER special transfer payment policy as a quasi-natural experiment, and uses the panel data of 284 cities in China from 2007 to 2017 and 2019 to verify the impact of the green transfer payment on carbon emissions in and after demonstration periods and its mechanisms with the staggered DID method and the new DID Multiplegt (DIDM) model. This article found that green transfer payments could reduce carbon emissions in demonstration cities, and this effect still existed even after policy withdrawal. Mechanism analysis further corroborates that the carbon-reduction effect of green transfer payments could be achieved by increasing the urban green area and improving energy efficiency. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that green transfers have a greater carbon reduction effect on demonstration cities, which receives more green transfer payment funds and has a higher level of financial development. Recommendations related to setting proper performance assessment ESER indicators include improving the management of ESER transfer funds and maximizing the cost–benefit ratio of fiscal funds, which are proposed according to the research conclusions.

China's efforts towards carbon neutrality: Does energy-saving and emission-reduction policy mitigate carbon emissions?

To achieve green and low-carbon development, the Chinese government has selected pilot cities to implement the energy-saving and emission-reduction (ESER) policy in three batches since 2011. So far, there has been no systematic evidence on whether this policy can mitigate carbon emissions. To identify the causal impact of the ESER policy on carbon emissions, we exploit variations in the timing of this policy across cities and assemble a panel dataset of China's 284 cities from 2003 to 2019. Based on a difference-in-differences (DID) framework, we find a relative decline in carbon emissions in pilot cities after the ESER policy implementation, and in particular, this effect follows an increasing trend over time. Our mechanism analysis further corroborates that the carbon-reduction effect of the ESER policy could be achieved through promoting energy-saving effect, optimizing structure effect and strengthening green technique effect. In addition, the observed effect is abundantly heterogeneous in terms of geographic location, environmental constraint, financial self-sufficiency, resource endowment and carbon emissions distribution. Our findings provide empirical evidence from developing countries on the effectiveness of carbon-reduction policy, which demonstrates China's determination to achieve its two climate goals (carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060).

Water footprint assessment for iron and steel production based on life cycle and input-output method

The related researches about energy saving and emission reduction (ESER) of iron and steel products are mostly focused on power or raw material, such as carbon footprint assessment (CFS) and rarely involves water. According to the view of water environment protection, the main index for water footprint assessment (WFA) is proposed in this paper. The concept and methodology of the production water footprint is advanced into life cycle WFA. A life cycle assessment and economic input-output method (LCA and EIO) are introduced to analyse the WFA process, which is mainly depending on grey water footprint, blue water footprint. Finally, a WFA case of iron and steel products is studied and several ESER methods are suggested.

Exploring the growth-adjusted energy-emission efficiency of transportation industry in China

Abstract China's transportation industry has achieved significant progress but also proved one of China's primary energy- and carbon-intensive industries. Under this circumstance, it is necessary to assess the level of energy-saving and emission reduction (ESER) of China's transportation industry. Therefore, based on the panel data of China's 30 provinces during 2008–2017, this paper develops a new DEA model to evaluate the growth-adjusted energy-emission efficiency of transportation industry in China. The results show that, first of all, the growth-adjusted energy-emission efficiency of China's transportation industry is approximately 0.5543 during the sample period, and the provinces with high efficiency in their transportation industries are mainly concentrated in the central region and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region; in particular, the central region takes the lead in low-carbon and energy-saving (LCES) technology of transportation industry. Second, during the sample period, the overall growth-adjusted energy-emission efficiency of China's transportation industry improves by 7.08% on average. The efficiency of the transportation industry in the eastern region improves the most, i.e., 28.99%. Finally, when evaluating the energy and/or environment-related efficiency of transportation industry, ignoring the transportation growth factors will underestimate the sustainability of transportation industry.

Energy-saving and emission-reduction technology selection and CO2 emission reduction potential of China’s iron and steel industry under energy substitution policy

The carbonisation of energy structures is a principal reason for the high carbon levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the steel industry. The implementation of an energy substitution policy in the Chinese steel industry has important practical significance for this industry in terms of reducing CO2 emissions. Based on this, this paper divides 20 types of energy-saving and emission-reduction (ESER) technologies into 4 categories: coal-saving technology, electricity-saving technology, comprehensive energy-saving technology, and linkage technology according to the energy-saving effect of different technology on energy varieties. Considering the energy substitution constraints on energy structures within the steel industry, we construct a bottom-up optimisation model based on a scenario analysis to analyse the emission reductions under 3 different scenarios: the baseline scenario (BAU), policy scenario (PS), and strengthened policy scenario (SPS). Results show that the emission reduction of coal-saving technology and comprehensive energy-saving technology in 2030 is 102 million tons CO2 (MtCO2) and 129 MtCO2, respectively, in the PS, and 116 MtCO2 and 130 MtCO2, respectively, in the SPS. Compared with these types of technology, electricity-saving technology is maintained at the level of the BAU. Linkage technology is developed in the latter period of the SPS. The emission reduction of linkage technology in the SPS in 2030 will be 4.1 MtCO2. During the period of 2015–2020, priority should be given to the development of thin slab continuous casting technology in comprehensive energy-saving technology and the development of blast furnace thick phase high efficiency coal injection technology in coal-saving technology. During the period 2020–2030, priority should be given to the development of thick layer sintering technology, hot delivery & hot charging technology of continuous casting slab, online treatment technology in comprehensive energy-saving technology and low temperature rolling technology, converter ‘negative energy steelmaking’ technology, and double preheating technology for hot stove of blast furnace in coal-saving technology.

Promoting sustainability of manufacturing industry through the lean energy-saving and emission-reduction strategy

The energy-saving and emission reduction (ESER) strategy is a crucial measure for promoting the sustainability of manufacturing industry in green transition. Analyzing current practices and limitations of the ESER in the manufacturing industry, this paper proposes a new concept entitled lean energy-saving and emission-reduction (LESER) and an approach to effectively improve the energy efficiency and reduce waste emissions. This paper illustrates the definition of the LESER and establishes an implementation framework for LESER to improve the manufacturing process. To quantify and evaluate performance of LESER, the state space model of the carbon footprint for energy consumption and waste discharge is established. A method for implementing the LESER strategy is constructed in the following steps: (i) clarification of the current situation; (ii) analysis of the root cause; (iii) improvement; (iv) evaluation of the carbon emissions; (v) sustaining and standardizing. Finally, the LESER strategy is applied to the Zcrubber Group Co. Ltd., which is characterized with high pollution, high energy consumption, and high emission in green transition. Results demonstrate practicability of the proposed strategy to offer an effective measure for promoting sustainability of manufacturing industry.

Carbon Emission Reduction of Power Enterprises in Subtropical and Temperate Regions of China

China’s power enterprises consume a large amount of energy and emit a high quantity of carbon dioxide. To reduce carbon emissions and save energy, China has implemented various energy-saving and emission reduction (ESER) policies in the power industry. The purpose of this study is to analyze the carbon emission reduction (CER) performance and the ESER performance of China’s power enterprises. The data envelopment analysis was applied to obtain the CER efficiency and the ESER efficiency of power enterprises in subtropical and temperate regions of China. The research findings are as follows. First, the average ESER efficiency of Chinese power enterprises is lower than their CER efficiency. Second, only 30% of Chinese power enterprises have both high CER and ESER efficiency. Most power enterprises in China need to take measures to further reduce carbon emissions and improve the efficiency of resource utilization. Third, due to their high economic development and advanced use of technology, the CER efficiency of power enterprises in subtropical regions is higher than that in temperate regions. Based on empirical results, specific policy recommendations are provided for Chinese power enterprises.

How to optimize the development of carbon trading in China—Enlightenment from evolution rules of the EU carbon price

This paper explores the optimization scheme of carbon trading in China based on a novel energy-saving and emission-reduction (ESER) system with carbon price constraints. With the aid of nonlinear dynamics theory, the dynamics behavior of the novel system is discussed. Genetic algorithm and back propagation neural network is used to identify the quantitative coefficients according to the statistical data of the second period in European Union (EU). Taking the actual situation in EU for instance, the variables which are sensitive to carbon trading are detailedly researched. Enlightened by the EU’s experience, an optimal road of China’s carbon trading is put forward. The results show that carbon emissions could be controlled by carbon trading. The investment to carbon trading hampers economic growth in the near future, and ESER technical progress is negatively correlated with carbon trading in the long run. Demand and supply relationship is closely related to carbon price, both are the important issues in carbon trading system. Excessive government control and extortionate carbon price will deliver the opposite effect and even fatal influence on carbon trading system.

The Impacts of Energy Construction Adjustment on Energy Intensity and Economic Growth—A Case Study of China

Abstract This paper attempts to explore the impacts of energy construction adjustment on energy intensity and economic growth based on the 3D energy-saving and emission-reduction (ESER) system, which has not yet been discussed in present literature. The dynamic behavior of the system is discussed. The results of the scenario study show that, energy construction adjustment could effectively control energy intensity. When the investment of economic to energy construction adjustment gets bigger, energy intensity becomes larger. This is because this practice could control energy intensity while brings inhibiting impact on economic growth. Rationally and efficiently utilizing the investment of economic to energy construction adjustment is the key in the current ESER system.

The effect of energy construction adjustment on the dynamical evolution of energy-saving and emission-reduction system in China

This paper attempts to explore the effect of energy construction adjustment on the energy-saving and emission-reduction (ESER) dynamical evolution system. Based on the nonlinear dynamics theory, the dynamic behavior of the novel system is discussed. The quantitative coefficients of the actual system are identified with the aid of genetic algorithm-back propagation neural network. Scenario analysis results show that, energy construction adjustment could effectively control energy intensity. To clarify this further, an example of 4D ESER system with new energy constraints is demonstrated. Investigation results show that, government control can effectively control energy intensity, while brings inhibiting impact on economic growth and people’s livelihood. Economic investment is the key variable affecting energy construction adjustment and ESER, the ESER system will crash when the investment is too low. Energy construction adjustment could effectively reduce energy intensity. However, the ESER system will also crash if the development of energy construction adjustment is too fast. The interesting thing is that the ESER system should be pulled back to steady state as the investment getting bigger. Energy intensity could be controlled in expected range by taking adequate measures. Full use of the role of energy structure adjustment should be made to promote the development of new energy, while government control is used only when necessary.

Investigation of Carbon Tax Pilot in YRD Urban Agglomerations—Analysis and Application of a Novel ESER System with Carbon Tax Constraints

This paper attempts to explore the dynamic behavior of energy-saving and emission-reduction (ESER) system in Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomerations, which has not yet been reported in present literature. The novel YRD urban agglomerations carbon tax attractor is achieved. A scenario study is carried out. The results show that, the ESER system in YRD urban agglomerations is superior to the average case in China, in which the impacts on economic growth are almost the same. The economic property of YRD urban agglomerations is the main cause why the ESER system of YRD urban agglomerations being superior.

Investigating carbon tax pilot in YRD urban agglomerations—Analysis of a novel ESER system with carbon tax constraints and its application

This paper attempts to explore carbon tax pilot in Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomerations based on a novel energy-saving and emission-reduction (ESER) system with carbon tax constraints, which has not yet been discussed in present literature. A novel carbon tax attractor is achieved through the discussion of the dynamic behavior of the new system. Based on the genetic algorithm-back propagation neural network, the quantitative coefficients of the actual system are identified. The scenario analysis results show that, under the same tax rate and constraint conditions, the ESER system in YRD urban agglomerations is superior to the average case in China, in which the impacts on economic growth are almost the same. The former’s energy intensity is lower and the shock resistance is stronger. It is found that economic property of YRD urban agglomerations is the main cause for the ESER system of YRD urban agglomerations being superior. In the current YRD urban agglomerations’ ESER system, energy intensity cannot be adjusted to an ideal level by commercialization management and government control; however, it is under effective control of carbon tax incentives. Therefore, strengthening the economic property of YRD urban agglomerations and effective utilization of carbon tax incentives could perfectly control energy intensity, without obvious potential negative impact on economic growth.

Coordinated development of energy-saving and emission-reduction evolution systems in the Yangtze River delta

Development trends differ in different regions although China has gained steady development in the society, economy, energy and the environment according to its national strategy. The Energy-Saving and Emission-Reduction (ESER) evolution system can synthetically reflect the development trend of energy, environment and economy of a region. Based on the good efficiency of impulsive control, coordinated development of ESER evolution systems is researched by using synchronisation theory as the regulation theory for regional coordinated development. First, the synchronisation is realised with the impulsive control theoretically. Parameters of the evolution system are estimated from real data about energy and economy. Furthermore, the realisation of impulsive control is verified with fixed parameters and showed by numerical simulations. The evolution trend of energy intensity is obtained from the ESER system, which fits the actual developing trend well.

A supply-demand matching and trading service platform for energy-saving and emission-reduction technology

In order to solve the current problem of information asymmetry for both sides of supplier and demander on energy-saving and emission-reduction (ESER) technology, the business requirements of ESER technology platform was analysed first in this paper. Then a four-layered architecture ESER technology service trading platform, which combined with the characteristics of the existing electronic service trading platform, was proposed. According to this architecture, the function modules of the platform and the data physical structure model of database which supports the platform's running was designed in this paper. Finally, a prototype system was developed and the corresponding trading operation process was given, which verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.

A supply-demand matching and trading service platform for energy-saving and emission-reduction technology

In order to solve the current problem of information asymmetry for both sides of supplier and demander on energy-saving and emission-reduction (ESER) technology, the business requirements of ESER technology platform was analysed first in this paper. Then a four-layered architecture ESER technology service trading platform, which combined with the characteristics of the existing electronic service trading platform, was proposed. According to this architecture, the function modules of the platform and the data physical structure model of database which supports the platform's running was designed in this paper. Finally, a prototype system was developed and the corresponding trading operation process was given, which verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.