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Summary Construction of carbon-intensive energy infrastructure is well underway under the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), challenging the global climate target. Regionally abundant solar power could provide an alternative for electricity generation. An integrative spatial model was developed to evaluate the technical potential of solar photovoltaic power. The influence of impacting factors was quantified systematically on an hourly basis. Results suggest that the electricity potential for the BRI region reaches 448.9 PWh annually, 41.3 times the regional demand for electricity in 2016. Tapping 3.7% of the potential through deploying 7.8 TW capacity could satisfy the regional electricity demand projected for 2030, requiring an investment of approximately 11.2 trillion 2017 USD and a commitment in land area of 88,426 km2, approximately 0.9% of China’s total. Countries endowed with 70.7% of the overall potential consume only 30.1% of regional electricity. The imbalance underscores the advantage of regional cooperation and investments in interconnected grids.

Abstract Development of wind power in China, a key measure to mitigate China’s carbon emissions and achieve global climate goals, faces serious curtailment issues. In an interlinked electric power system, a strategic allocation of wind power capacities offers an important means to take advantage of geographical smoothing effects and enhance accommodation of wind power into the electric power system. Applying K-means clustering algorithm with assimilated meteorological data, we differentiate seven wind zones in the Chinese mainland. The zonal variation features of wind power are characterized and associated with influencing weather systems and geographical conditions. A multi-objective optimization model is developed to identify the optimal allocation of wind power capacity across the seven zones in 2030, which demonstrates further improvement of wind power quality from the current distribution case in terms of high power outputs (+0.2%), low short-term variation (−10.3%) and high firm capacity (+3.7%). Northern China, where existing large-scale wind power bases are located, and southeastern regions are identified as key areas for future deployment of wind power. These findings are expected to offer a new perspective for decision makers in the construction of power grid systems and spatial development strategy for wind power in China.

Abstract Renewable energy is projected to play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and in realising the climate change goals. Large scale development of variable renewable energy, which is regarded as non-dispatchable, requires additional power system quality services such as voltage regulation, frequency regulation and inertial response. Energy storage provides an important means to supply these services but there are many uncertainties in terms of technology, market readiness, economics, and regulatory requirements. The aim of this study is to undertake a global state-of-the-art review of the techno-economic and regulatory status of energy storage and power quality services at the distribution level. The review will establish the global trends in electricity markets that have seen high levels of renewable energy penetration. The results of the investigation indicate that further research is required to qualify, quantify, and value the installation of mass energy storage particularly at the distribution level.

AbstractRecognizing that bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) may still take years to mature, this study focuses on another photosynthesis-based, negative-carbon technology that is readier to implement in China: biomass intermediate pyrolysis poly-generation (BIPP). Here we find that a BIPP system can be profitable without subsidies, while its national deployment could contribute to a 61% reduction of carbon emissions per unit of gross domestic product in 2030 compared to 2005 and result additionally in a reduction in air pollutant emissions. With 73% of national crop residues used between 2020 and 2030, the cumulative greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction could reach up to 8620 Mt CO2-eq by 2050, contributing 13–31% of the global GHG emission reduction goal for BECCS, and nearly 4555 Mt more than that projected for BECCS alone in China. Thus, China’s BIPP deployment could have an important influence on achieving both national and global GHG emissions reduction targets.

It is widely accepted that the true environmental benefit of electric vehicles (EVs) is dependent upon non-tailpipe emissions from fuel/energy production. Through a comparison of EV and conventionally fuelled vehicle (CFVs) tailpipe emissions in China and the UK, considering their different EV integration plans, were projected between 2017 and 2050.For this analysis, three scenarios were modelled for private vehicles using ‘two degree’ scenario data for electricity generation: (1) 100% CFVs; (2) 100% EVs; and (3A) 50:50 mix of CFVs and EVs integrated in 2030; and (3B) 50:50 mix integrated in 2040. Results indicated that between 2017 and 2050 for (1) emissions decreased by 56% in China and 91% in the UK, accounting for technological improvements, with emissions per vehicle decreasing by 89% and 24% respectively. Under (2) emissions decreased by 55% in China and by 92% in the UK and decreased by 88% in China and 88% in the UK per vehicle. Under (3) emissions increased by 10% in China and decreased by 43% in the UK, with emissions per vehicle decreasing by 70% and 95% respectively.Results demonstrate EV deployment is related to economic status of the country, so decarbonisation of the energy sector should be targeted. By transitioning towards EVs in 2030 or 2040 as opposed to 2050, both countries are more likely to meet emission goals. Therefore, policymakers should focus on introducing policy which combines carbon taxes, non-fossil fuels and energy efficiency with any financial profits reinvested to subsidise construction of renewable energy infrastructure.