China opts for small-scale energy techniques. [Micro hydro plants, small coal mines, methane from organic wastes]

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1976 · Energy Int.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7186129

Smil, V

China, the largest of the developing countries, has adopted the intermediate technology approach to provide its basic energy supply. The dictum of the Chinese economy since the later 1950s has been not only developing large modern enterprises but also small projects in the rural areas. The advantages of the intermediate approach lie in an extensive use of plentiful and cheap labor instead of expensive machinery, maximum usage of local resources and materials instead of costly imports, considerable capital savings, and easier and wider penetration of essential technologies throughout the rural areas. Small-scale developments in energy industries have been predominantly concentrated in three areas: coal mining, hydroelectricity production, and biogas generation. The advantages and shortcomings of each industry are described. The first attempts at large-scale introduction of biogas generation have been undertaken in India since the early 1960s where the total number of Gobar gas plants is to reach about 25,000 by the end of the current Five-Year Plan in 1977-78, but Chinese developments are more extensive. In the southern provinces of Szechwan alone, 30,000 units were completed by the end of 1973, with 410,000 containers completed by mid-1975. (MCW)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Manitoba, Winnipeg
• OSTI ID: 7186129
• Journal Information: Energy Int.; (United States), Vol. 13:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
13 HYDRO ENERGY
09 BIOMASS FUELS
CHINA
ENERGY SUPPLIES
COAL MINING
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
METHANE
BIOMASS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMICS
ENGINEERING
FUEL GAS
GASIFICATION
INDUSTRY
MANAGEMENT
PRODUCTION
ALKANES
ASIA
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
MINING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POWER
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
292000* - Energy Planning & Policy- Supply
Demand & Forecasting
012000 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Mining
130100 - Hydro Energy- Resources & Availability
090122 - Hydrocarbon Fuels- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass- (1976-1989)