Intermediate energy technology in China

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Bull. At. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7223403

Smil, V

China, the largest and most populous of all the developing countries, has been concentrating on developments in coal mining, hydroelectric generation, and biogass production and now the latest addition is the use of solar energy. Providing fuel and electricity for development of diverse local light industries, for agricultural modernization and for household consumption, these projects while small are introducing modern technology in a way that allows for large-scale labor participation and reduces capital investment to the essential minimum. The part of the energy output for private consumption helps to raise the standard of living in China and to ease household work; many peasants acquire various basic technical skills, which are necessary for more sophisticated work to be done in the future; local production of a substitute fuel and electricity, previously produced by large enterprises, brings not only considerable savings but also greatly reduces the need for energy-intensive transportation and transmission of primary energy. Environmental implications of small energy projects are mostly positive: the availability of coal, electricity and biogas reduces or even eliminates the need for using firewood, grasses or crop residues as fuel, which means they can be used for composting or as fodder or conserved. The role of the small dams for irrigation and flood control might be, in many instances, economically more important than power generation. The same may be true about improvement of hygienic conditions and concomitant reduction of infections and parasitic diseases due to biogas generation. Biogas fermentation also yields an excellent fertilizer, representing further savings. While effective large-scale utilization of solar radiation faces difficult obstacles, simple solar furnaces are economically viable and can be used intermittently for household cooking, space and water heating, cooling, water desalination and crop drying. 21 notes. (MCW)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Manitoba, Winnipeg
• OSTI ID: 7223403
• Journal Information: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 33:2; ISSN BASIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
ASIA
BIOSYNTHESIS
CHINA
COAL INDUSTRY
CONVERSION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
FLUIDS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INDUSTRY
INTERMEDIATE BTU GAS
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SYNTHESIS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER