Low-carbon Industry Research Articles

Optimization-aided material and energy flow analysis for a low carbon industry

Many industrial companies use material and energy flow analysis as a tool to improve the resource efficiency and in particular the climate impact of their production plants. As material flow models of industrial production systems are typically large and complex, optimal operating conditions or designs are hard to find without computational support. To overcome this shortcoming an integrated approach that combines material and energy flow analysis with mathematical optimization has recently been proposed. This paper presents a prototypic optimization tool for material flow based optimization via mathematical programming. A particularly interesting area of application arises from using the optimization tool already during the model building process. Such an optimization-aided material and energy flow analysis facilitates the systematic exploration of the decision-makers action space and thus supports the construction of valid optimization models. It furthermore helps to find adequate compromises, when there are conflicts between objectives like costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The optimization tool as well as these conceptual aspects are illustrated by applying it to a production plant from the technology metals sector.

Accounting and structure decomposition analysis of embodied carbon trade: A global perspective

In this paper, a multi-regional input-output model is built to estimate the global embodied carbon trade from 1995 to 2009 based on the World Input-Output Database (WIOD). The method of structure decomposition analysis (SDA) is applied to quantify the changes in the scale and structure of embodied carbon trade in China, India, Japan, and the United States. According to the results, the top three countries with the most embodied carbon trade were: the United States, China and Japan in 1995, and the United States, China and India in 2009. In 1995 and 2009, the sectors which have the highest direct carbon emission coefficients and total carbon emission coefficients in China, India and the United States are electricity, gas and water supply sectors, while each country maintained a different coefficient. A decrease of direct carbon emission coefficient will result in a reduction of the imports and exports, as well as the self-consumption of embodied carbon. Therefore, it is suggested that countries should develop low-carbon industries, and reduce the carbon emissions per unit of output. In addition, those countries with higher carbon emission coefficients should consider of importing products to lower carbon emissions.

Optimizing an advanced hybrid of solar-assisted supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle: A vital transition for low-carbon power generation industry

Current worldwide infrastructure of electrical power generation would mostly continue to rely on fossil-fuel but require a modest transition for the ultimate goal of decarbonizing power generation industry. By relying on those already established and carefully managed centrepiece power plants (PPs), we aim at filling the deficits of the current electrical networks with smaller, cleaner, and also more efficient PPs. In this context, we present a unique model for a small-scale decentralized solar-assisted supercritical CO2 closed Brayton cycle (sCO2-CBC). Our model is based on the optimized values of three key performance indicators (KPIs); thermal efficiency, concentrated solar power (CSP) compatibility, and water demand for cooling. For a case-study of 10 MWe CSP-assisted sCO2-CBC power plant, our dynamic model shows a 52.7% thermal efficiency and 25.9% solar penetration and up to 80% of water saving in heat-rejection units. These KPIs show significant promise of the solar-assisted supercritical CO2 power cycle for an imperative transformation in the power industry towards future sustainable electricity generation.

From Rio to Paris: Achievements, problems, and prospects in the struggle against climate change

The newsbreak for writing this article was a kind of jubilee: 25 years ago, in 1992, a conference in Rio de Janeiro adopted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This event became the first in a series of follow-up conferences and documents aimed primarily at limiting carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere to counter global warming. The author is an active advocate of the concept of the anthropogenic impact on climate as a leading factor in climate change. He stresses the positive potential of international agreements in this field and a new energy-environmental paradigm, which implies the development of low-carbon industry and transition to renewable energy sources and the “green” economy.

Assessing the Effect of Carbon Tariffs on International Trade and Emission Reduction of China’s Industrial Products under the Background of Global Climate Governance

This paper simulates the effect of a carbon tariff on China’s trade of industrial products and emission reduction through the GTAP 8.0 model, when the European Union, the United States, and Japan impose a carbon tariff simultaneously or respectively. The conclusions indicate: (1) a carbon tariff will cause a decrease in exports for high-carbon industries and generate an increase in exports for low-carbon industries; (2) a carbon tariff will cause a greater reduction on imports for low-carbon industries than that for high-carbon industries; (3) a carbon tariff will also generate a noticeable increase in output for light industry and a decrease in output for heavy industry; and (4) a carbon tariff has an obviously positive effect on emission reduction for China’s industrial sector, which bears the most responsibility of emission reduction. Based on these conclusions, this paper puts forward some corresponding policy suggestions.

Moving Low-Carbon Construction Industry in Jiangsu Province: Evidence from Decomposition and Decoupling Models

The carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions caused by the global construction industry account for 36% of the world’s total carbon emissions, and 50% of China’s total carbon emissions. The carbon emissions from Jiangsu Province’s construction industry account for approximately 16% of the total emissions of the Chinese construction industry. Taking the construction industry in Jiangsu Province as our study object, therefore, this paper introduces the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) carbon emission accounting method as a means to measure the total CO2 emissions of the Jiangsu Province construction industry. Specifically, we examine the period from 2005 to 2013. Based on the Tapio decoupling model, we analyze the decoupling state between the CO2 emissions of the construction industry in Jiangsu Province and the province’s economic growth. Our paper also employs the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) approach, in order to conduct a decomposition analysis of those factors that influenced the changes in the level of CO2 emissions during the studied period. According to the results of our research, during the period from 2005 to 2013, the CO2 emission levels caused by the construction industry in Jiangsu Province experienced a significant increase. The cumulative total CO2 emissions reached 402.85 million tons. During most of the years covered by our study, an expansive negative decoupling state existed between the level of CO2 emissions and the output value of Jiangsu’s construction industry. These periods were interspersed with either a weak decoupling state in some years or a strong decoupling state in other years. The indirect carbon emission intensity effect and the industry scale effect were the main factors influencing the increases in the construction industry’s CO2 emissions. At the conclusion of our paper, we put forward policy suggestions, with the objective of promoting the de-carbonization of the construction industry in Jiangsu Province.

Fostering corporate sustainability in the Mexican coffee industry

Purpose At the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP 21) in Paris, 195 governments reached an agreement pivotal not only for countries but also for companies. The Paris Agreement makes it impossible to practice business as usual. The transition to a low-carbon coffee industry could be achieved by fostering corporate sustainability. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence of how to adopt the principles of Paris Agreement by enhancing the corporate sustainability of a Mexican coffee-roaster company using the inventory phase of the life cycle assessment tool. Design/methodology/approach The data collection process followed the requirements of the International Reference Life Cycle Data System Handbook, developed by the Institute for Environment and Sustainability in the European Commission Joint Research Centre, and data on packaging materials and energy production were drawn from a commercially available database in the LCA software SimaPro. Findings Compiling data on the energy of the firm’s material flows in a firm revealed opportunities to improve energy efficiency and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The results of the inventory analysis can be used to evaluate the specific environmental impacts of the coffee-roasting process at this Mexican coffee company. Data compilation activities for energy flows identified the need to install liquefied petroleum gas measuring devices and individual measuring devices for electricity consumption in different areas of the coffee plant. It is recommended that, while implementing this option, the company also develop an energy management program to achieve energy efficiency. Practical implications The inventory data in this case study permit comparisons of the current state of the system studied and its possible future states and offer stakeholders relevant information on resource use. Similarly, the project results provide the basis for future research on environmental performance in the coffee industry in Mexico and for the development of policies regarding the production process in the coffee supply chain. Consequently, this research can help fulfil Mexico’s commitment to the Paris Agreement. Social implications Reaching the goal of the Paris Agreement will require gathering key information for each single company. The current case study has provided key data to foster the principles of sustainability in the Mexican coffee industry to help this sector to transit toward sustainable development, which is a new demand of the Mexican society. Even though it may seem simple, this is the hardest step for enhancing stakeholder involvement in corporate sustainability. Originality/value The main contribution of this research to science and practice is to confirm that fostering corporate sustainability is easier and more feasible when energy flow information is available.

Financialization impedes climate change mitigation: Evidence from the early American solar industry.

The article investigates how financialization impedes climate change mitigation by examining its effects on the early history of one low-carbon industry, solar photovoltaics in the United States. The industry grew rapidly in the 1970s, as large financial conglomerates acquired independent firms. While providing needed financial support, conglomerates changed the focus from existing markets in consumer applications toward a future utility market that never materialized. Concentration of the industry also left it vulnerable to the corporate restructuring of the 1980s, when the conglomerates were dismantled and solar divisions were pared back or sold off to foreign firms. Both the move toward conglomeration, when corporations became managed as stock portfolios, and its subsequent reversal were the result of increased financial dominance over corporate governance. The American case is contrasted with the more successful case of Japan, where these changes to corporate governance did not occur. Insulated from shareholder pressure and financial turbulence, Japanese photovoltaics manufacturers continued to expand investment throughout the 1980s when their American rivals were cutting back. The study is informed by Joseph Schumpeter's theory of creative destruction and Hyman Minsky's theory of financialization, along with economic sociology. By highlighting the tenuous and conflicting relation between finance and production that shaped the early history of the photovoltaics industry, the article raises doubts about the prevailing approach to mitigate climate change through carbon pricing. Given the uncertainty of innovation and the ease of speculation, it will do little to spur low-carbon technology development without financial structures supporting patient capital.

Special Issue on “Low Carbon Society and Industries”

Special Issue on “Low Carbon Society and Industries”

区域微网可拓式设计及实例分析

在创建节约型社会、加快农村城镇化进程、推进建设绿色低碳行业的大环境下，围绕可再生能源和清洁能源的开发利用，我国正逐步加大微网建设部署的力度。微网是传统电网的有益补充，可以对分布式能源进行灵活有效的组合，是未来智能电网的有机组成部分。但是，由于分布式电源的特性、电网的可接纳性以及政策因素，导致分布式电源无法大范围的推广，也影响了微网的大范围应用。本文充分考虑当前电力系统的特点、微网的功能以及国家政策等因素，提出区域微网的概念，分析了区域微网应具备的五大功能，将微网按照农村微网、城市区域微网以及偏远地区微网进行规划，设计出满足区域特征的可拓式微网结构及运行控制方案。并以云南电网科技园某微网示范工程作为案例，验证设计方案的可行性。 China creates a conservation-oriented society, accelerates the process of rural urbanization and promotes the construction of green low carbon industry. Surrounding the development and utilization of renewable energy and clean energy, China is stepping up efforts to build microgrid. Microgrid is the beneficial supplement for traditional power grid, is an organic part of the future smart grid, and it can combine a flexible and effective distributed energy network. However, due to the characteristic of distributed power supply, power grid adaptability and policy factors, dis-tributed power and microgrid can not promote widely. In this paper, according to the characteristics of the current power system, the function of the microgrid and other factors, such as national policy, the author puts forward the concept of regional microgrid. And five functions of microgrid are analysed. Microgrid is divided to the rural microgrid, city region microgrid and remote areas microgrid in the paper. The microgrid structure and operation scheme is designed, which meets the regional characteristics. Taking Yunnan Power Grid Technology Park microgrid project as a case, it verifies the feasibility of design.

Evaluation of Tax Incentive Policy for Low Carbon Industries in Indonesia

Evaluation of Tax Incentive Policy for Low Carbon Industries in Indonesia

Decoupling relationship between industrial growth and carbon emissions in three northeastern provinces of China : Analysis based on stability and deviation

The low-carbon industrial processes of all provinces were different in China, and the decoupling quality between industrial economic development and carbon emissions also existed differences in different provinces. In order to develop more efficient carbon reduction policy, this paper used decoupling model, decoupling value stability degree, decoupling quality degree and decoupling quality deviation degree formula to analyze horizontally and vertically the decoupling quality of five industries in three northeastern provinces of China, including primary industry; industry; construction; transportation, storage and postal industry; wholesale, retail, accommodation and catering industry. The paper concludes: firstly, the decoupling stabilities between five industries development and carbon emissions are different in three northeastern provinces of China. Liaoning and Jilin province is relatively stable compared with Heilongjiang province. Secondly, the decoupling quality among the five industries development and carbon emissions are different in three northeastern provinces of China. Jilin and Liaoning province has better decoupling quality than Heilongjiang province. Thirdly, the low carbonization process has gap in three northeastern provinces of China. It is better in low carbonization process of Jilin province and Liaoning province, whereas there is relatively big gap for low carbonization process among the different places in Liaoning province. Finally, this dissertation puts forward countermeasures and suggestions to provide references for the development of low-carbon industry in Jilin province.

Study and analysis of energy consumption and energy-related carbon emission of industrial in Tianjin, China

This paper analyzed the total industrial energy consumption and energy-related carbon emission of Tianjin from 2003 to 2012. During 2008–2012, Tianjin's energy consumption of industrial added value decreased by 11.46%. The carbon dioxide emissions caused by industrial energy consumption of Tianjin increased year by year, with an average annual growth rate of 9.11% from 2005 to 2012, but the carbon emission intensity decreased by 53.17% during the same period. Using these energy consumption data, a model was able to predict the future with a high degree of accuracy to check if the target can be achieved that reduce its energy consumption per unit of GDP by 18% and carbon emission per unit GDP by 17% during the “12th Five-Year” period. Additionally, an energy decomposition analysis indicated that while the scale of production played a major role in the growth of industrial energy consumption, the intensity of energy played a major role in slowing the growth. These results show that energy-saving efforts and the optimization of the industrial structure have increased the energy efficiency of Tianjin. To achieve energy conservation and emissions reduction, the development of green and low-carbon industries and energy structure adjustments are needed.

The Challenge of Energy Storage in Europe: Focus on Power to Fuel

Abstract The energy sector in the European market has been changing significantly over the last years. European Union (EU) energy strategy includes the EU low-carbon roadmap milestone, which indicates for 2020, a 20% reduction in carbon emissions, and a 20% EU-wide share for renewables, and by 2030 a 40% reduction in carbon emissions and 30% EU-wide share for renewables. The increased renewable energy sources (RES) penetration and their intermittent energy production have led to the emerging need for energy storage technologies. Especially in the European energy market, large-scale energy balancing with sustainable technologies with product flexibility and cost-effective operation are being investigated. The carbon capture and utilization (CCU) concept, as a means for low-carbon sustainable industries, is integrated in the energy storage technologies. The present paper addresses the integration of power to fuel concept in the energy storage sector with simultaneous emission reduction. Grid management, the scale, and the efficient operation of electrolyzers are the basis for the implementation of Power to Fuel technology. The use of surplus and/or low-cost electricity via water electrolysis to commute captured CO2 from industrial plants to versatile energy carriers such as methane and methanol is being investigated in the present paper. Shadow operation of fossil fuel power plants under minimum load conditions leads to optimized energy dispatch of the power plants and provides product flexibility in terms of electricity, grid services, and chemical production. The produced fuels can be used in highly efficient and well-established power systems and further used in the transportation sector or for covering heat demands. The energy efficiency of the different processes is presented and a comparison is made in terms of cost effective energy storage solutions via the simultaneous grid management optimization, the reduction of carbon dioxide, and the production of valuable chemicals. The cross-sectorial concept of the Power to Fuel is presented for Steel and Power industry for the case of methane and methanol production. A review of the U.S. and European markets is made for the application of Power to Fuel.

From Disclosure to Action: The First Annual Report of the Portfolio Decarbonization Coalition

The Portfolio Decarbonization Coalition (PDC) was co-founded in 2014 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), AP4, Amundi and CDP. PDC’s aim is to drive greenhouse gas emission reductions by mobilising a critical mass of institutional investors committed to gradually decarbonizing their portfolios.This report – the first progress report published by the PDC – demonstrates that investors can decarbonize their portfolios without harming investment performance. Furthermore, in the report, PDC members report that their decarbonization activities have resulted in them reducing their carbon emissions, reducing their exposures to fossil fuels and increasing their investments in low carbon technologies and industries of the future. The report argues that there is much to be done if decarbonization strategies are to be more widely adopted. Priority areas for action include: the development of investment products and investment solutions that enable investors to decarbonize their portfolios without compromising investment performance; the strengthening of corporate and investor reporting; the development of portfolio-level metrics that enable investors to track progress towards their decarbonization objectives; the development of a better understanding of the contribution that portfolio decarbonization can make to the goal of a low carbon economy and the timeframes over which this contribution can be made.

Urbanization, Public Finance and Carbon Intensity – Based on Panel Data and Error Correction Model

<span lang="EN-US">Aiming at six big emerging economies in the world, namely, China, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Japan, this paper analyzes their carbon emission conditions based on the data of carbon emission, energy consumption and economic development during 1970—2008 from the statistics in the World Development Index Database (WDI) of the World Bank, and carries out empirical analyses based on theories & policies and driving factors of their low carbon economy. It is found that energy intensity, economic growth and urbanization progress exert more remarkable influences on carbon intensity, and the effect of carbon emission reduction depending on government fiancé is not sustainable. Thus, this paper is intended to explain that China needs more actively promoting green sustainable towns with its sustainable development, and developing urban low carbon industries and buildings for more civilized ecological towns.</span>

Pathways to a low-carbon iron and steel industry in the medium-term – the case of Germany

The iron and steel industry is a major industrial emitter of carbon dioxide globally and in Germany. If European and German climate targets were set as equal proportional reduction targets (referred to here as “flat” targets) among sectors, the German steel industry would have to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions from about 60 million metric tons currently to 28–34 million metric tons by 2030. Technical options to further reduce CO2 that are based on existing production processes are limited. Hence, in the future, the CO2 emissions of the steel industry could be reduced by alternative and new production processes and variations in production levels. This paper describes four production pathways from 2015 to 2035 that reveal the impact of constant, increasing and decreasing production levels as well as different production processes. The diffusion of energy-efficient technologies, the increase of renewables in the German electricity mix and the age and lifetime of blast furnaces are considered as well. The findings suggest that the German steel sector will only manage to achieve its European CO2 emissions reduction target for 2030 if it strongly decreases its production levels. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that the German steel sector will meet its German climate target regardless of the production pathway selected. The findings suggest that efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in the steel industry should focus on two areas. First, alternative steelmaking processes need to be developed. Besides low-CO2 process technologies, CO2-free processes should be considered as well. Direct reduced iron could be produced based on hydrogen and then fed into an electric arc furnace powered by electricity generated using CO2-free sources. Steel could also be produced using electrolysis based on CO2-free electricity. However, because these technologies might take decades to develop and introduce, there should be a second focus on incremental CO2 reductions in the short to medium term.

财政支持政策对促进长沙市重点领域节能减排的绩效研究

“十二五”期间，我国在部分城市开始节能减排财政政策综合示范，通过整合财政政策，加大资金投入力度，我国节能减排进入新的发展阶段。以财政政策示范工作的主要内容为出发点，利用实证分析的方法，从产业低碳化、交通清洁化、建筑绿色化、服务业集约化、主要污染物减量化、可再生能源利用规模化六个方面对长沙市财政支持重点领域节能减排进行绩效评价。长沙市作为首批综合示范城市之一，节能减排工作在示范期间取得重大突破，但仍存在财政资金不足、财政政策与其他政策联动性弱、企业与公众参与度低等问题，最后提出对策建议。 During the “Twelve Five” period, China began to integrate the fiscal policy of energy conservation and emission reduction and increase financial investment. China’s energy-saving emission reduction had gained a new stage. Taking the work of fiscal policy as the starting point, we use the method of empirical analysis and evaluate the performance of key areas of energy-saving emission reduction about Changsha financial support from six aspects about the low carbon industry, trans- portation, construction, green cleaning service industry intensive, major pollutants reduction and renewable energy scale. As one of the first comprehensive demonstration cities, Changsha’s work has made a major breakthrough in the demonstration period. However, there are still problems. Fiscal policy can’t be well linked with other policy; the activity about enterprise and public participation is low. Finally, we put forward some measures and suggestions.

Green Banking and Its Potentiality & Practice in Bangladesh

Banks are financial institution which can play an outstanding role between sustainable economic growth and environmental protection in order to prove themselves as environment friendly and socially accountable institution. For promoting this there is nothing but “Green Banking” which is the most talked topic in the recent banking activities and responsibilities. Green Banking refers to the banking business conducted in selected area and technique that helps the reduction of carbon emission surround the world. To aid the reduction of carbon emission bank should finance green technology and pollution reducing sectors. Green finance is an integral part of Green banking that makes a great contribution to the transition to resource-efficient and low carbon industries. Green Banking is certainly a new initiative throughout the world. The leading bankers and entrepreneurs have come forward to protect human being from environmental disasters. In the context of Bangladesh, if we think about it, we will find the situation to be terrible. Our people have little awareness about environment pollution and they do not understand the severe consequences of this pollution which will create an unexpected trouble in the coming decades.

Prediction on the Peak of the CO2 Emissions in China Using the STIRPAT Model

Climate change has threatened our economic, environmental, and social sustainability seriously. The world has taken active measures in dealing with climate change to mitigate carbon emissions. Predicting the carbon emissions peak has become a global focus, as well as a leading target for China’s low carbon development. China has promised its carbon emissions will have peaked by around 2030, with the intention of peaking earlier. Scholars generally have studied the influencing factors of carbon emissions. However, research on carbon emissions peaks is not extensive. Therefore, by setting a low scenario, a middle scenario, and a high scenario, this paper predicts China’s carbon emissions peak from 2015 to 2035 based on the data from 1998 to 2014 using the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) model. The results show that in the low, middle, and high scenarios China will reach its carbon emissions peak in 2024, 2027, and 2030, respectively. Thus, this paper puts forward the large-scale application of technology innovation to improve energy efficiency and optimize energy structure and supply and demand. China should use industrial policy and human capital investment to stimulate the rapid development of low carbon industries and modern agriculture and service industries to help China to reach its carbon emissions peak by around 2030 or earlier.