Renewable energy development in China: Resource assessment, technology status, and greenhouse gas mitigation potential
- National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
- Energy Research Institute, Beijing (China)
China, which has pursued aggressive policies to encourage economic development, could experience the world`s fastest growth in energy consumption over the next two decades. China has become the third largest energy user in the world since 1990 when primary energy consumption reached 960 million tons of coal equivalent (tce). Energy use is increasing at an annual rate of 6-7% despite severe infrastructure and capital constraints on energy sector development. Energy consumption in China is heavily dominated by coal, and fossil fuels provide up to 95% of all commercial energy use. Coal currently accounts for 77% of total primary energy use; oil, 16%; hydropower, 5%; and natural gas, 2%. Coal is expected to continue providing close to three-quarters of all energy consumed, and the amount of coal used is expected to triple by year 2020. Currently, renewable energy resources (except for hydropower) account for only a fraction of total energy consumption. However, the estimated growth in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as serious local and regional environmental pollution problems caused by combustion of fossil fuels, provides strong arguments for the development of renewable energy resources. Renewable energy potential in China is significantly greater than that indicated by the current level of use. With a clear policy goal and consistent efforts from the Government of China, renewables can play a far larger role in its future energy supply.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 484399
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-39686; CONF-9611151-; ON: DE97003750; TRN: 97:002478-0028
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International workshop on greenhouse gas mitigation technologies and measures, Beijing (China), 12-15 Nov 1996; Other Information: PBD: [1996]; Related Information: Is Part Of International workshop on greenhouse gas mitigation technologies and measures: Proceedings; PB: 630 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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