The potential for reducing CO[sub 2] emissions with modern energy technology: An illustrative scenario for the power sector in China

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Science and Global Security; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/08929889208426377· OSTI ID:6534115

Williams, R H ^[1]

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1. Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)

The case study developed here is a scenario for the power sector of China looking 50 years into the future. The scenario is constructed in such a way that total CO[sub 2] emissions from the power sector are the same in 2039 as in 1989. As the scenario represents a radical departure from present plans, some assumptions may be unrealistic. The exercise is intended, however, not to forecast the future but to explore whether such a goal might be plausibly achievable at acceptable cost. To the extent that the assumptions are plausible and the indicated costs attractive, the analysis can suggest strategies that should be pursued further, both in China, and in the international community that is seeking a basis for cooperative approaches for coping with greenhouse warming and other environmental issues. The scenario combines the following elements: efficient electricity end-use; hydroelectric power; nuclear power; efficient gas turbine technologies fired with natural gas; use of coal-derived hydrogen in fuel cells; and biomass-integrated gasifier/gas turbine technologies. While modern technology is emphasized, the scenario involves only systems that could be commercialized in the 1990s - no long-term technological possibilities are taken into account.

• OSTI ID: 6534115
• Journal Information: Science and Global Security; (United States), Journal Name: Science and Global Security; (United States) Vol. 3:1-2; ISSN 0892-9882; ISSN SGSEE8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
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& Safety
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ASIA
BIOMASS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHINA
CONTROL
COST
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC POWER
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL CELLS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GAS TURBINES
GASES
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
MACHINERY
NATURAL GAS
NUCLEAR POWER
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
POWER
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY