The status,predicament and countermeasures of biomass secondary energy production in China

China is rich in biomass resources, with favorable conditions for the development and utilization of biomass energy. Currently, the main secondary forms of biomass energy utilized in China include biogas, biomass power, bioethanol, biodiesel. By the end of 2010, the annual output of biogas in China had reached 14.3×10⁹ m³; the installed capacity of biomass power had reached 5.5×10⁶ kw; the annual output of bioethanol had reached 1.84×10⁶ t; the annual output of biodiesel was 400×10³ t. Although China is very rich in biomass resources, the percentage of biomass energy in the total energy utilized in China is very low. In 2010, the biomass secondary energy accounted for 7.28% of the total renewable energy consumption; and only 0.66% of the primary energy consumption in China. Compared with other types of renewable energy, the biomass energy development remains very slow and even marginalized. The development of secondary sources of energy in China is relatively slow, the reasons for which are many, such as food security, high production costs, obsolete equipment, technological immaturity, insufficient raw materials, and a serious shortage of investments. In fact, the root causes for the slow development of the biomass secondary energy industry are the government's focus on economic development and the private enterprises focus on economic benefits. The lower economic benefits of the biomass secondary energy industry do not intrinsically motivate them to promote its development. Entering the market is crucial to the development of the biomass secondary energy and requires strong implementation and policy guarantees by the government. Biomass secondary energy has a positive role in reducing greenhouse gas emission, reducing waste pollution, and increasing employment opportunities. It is recommended that the government and enterprises should actively promote the development of the biomass secondary energy.     

Oil palm biomass as a sustainable energy source: A Malaysian case study

It has been widely accepted worldwide that global warming is by far the greatest threat and challenge in the new millennium. In order to stop global warming and to promote sustainable development, renewable energy is a perfect solution to achieve both targets. Presently million hectares of land in Malaysia is occupied with oil palm plantation generating huge quantities of biomass. In this context, biomass from oil palm industries appears to be a very promising alternative as a source of raw materials including renewable energy in Malaysia. Thus, this paper aims to present current scenario of biomass in Malaysia covering issues on availability and sustainability of feedstock as well as current and possible utilization of oil palm biomass. This paper will also discuss feasibility of some biomass conversion technologies and some ongoing projects in Malaysia related to utilization of oil palm biomass as a source of renewable energy. Based on the findings presented, it is definitely clear that Malaysia has position herself in the right path to utilize biomass as a source of renewable energy and this can act as an example to other countries in the world that has huge biomass feedstock.     

欧盟可再生能源发展的新政策及对我国的启示

欧洲的可再生能源发展取得了很大的成就,并建立了有效的支持可再生能源发展的政策体系和框架,是世界可再生能源发展的领先者.文章介绍了欧盟在2007年1月提出的可再生能源发展的新的政策目标以及近期采取的新行动,并提出借鉴欧洲经验,支持我国可再生能源发展的行动建议.     

The present status and the future development of renewable energy in China

As one of the biggest energy consuming countries, China has to pay a great attention to the development and utilization of renewable energy to meet the increasing energy demand and to protect its environment. In this paper, the present status of the resources, development and application of different kind renewable energies including solar thermal, wind, biomass, geothermal and ocean energies, are comprehensively summarized. The perspective of solar energy in China is outlined.     

Renewable energy development in China: Resource assessment, technology status, and greenhouse gas mitigation potential

China has become the third largest energy user in the world, and its coal-dominated energy structure implies high CO₂ emissions. The amount of CO₂ emissions from China may surpass that of the United States within 20–30 years, making China the world's largest source of greenhouse gases by 2020.

Currently, renewable energy resources (except for hydropower) account for only a fraction of China's total energy consumption. However, China has abundant solar energy resources. More than two thirds of China receives an annual total insolation that exceeds 5.9 GJ/m2 (1,639 kWh/m²) with more than 2,200 hours of sunshine a year. Wind energy potential in China is about 3,200 GW, of which 253 GW is deemed technically exploitable. China has a wide range of biomass resources that can be used for energy supply and high temperature geothermal resources suitable for power generation located mainly in Tibet and Yunnan provinces.

Renewable energy technologies have been actively deployed in China. Although PV power stations have not being connected to the national grid, total installed capacity was 3 MW in 1994. Solar water heaters are by far the largest solar thermal application in China with a total installed capacity of 3.3 million m² in 1994. By the end of 1995, total installed capacity of grid-connected wind power plants had reached 36 MW. Also, over 140,000 small wind generators ranging in size from 50 W to 5 kW have been deployed with a total installed capacity of 17 MW. China is a world leader in the development and application of anaerobic technologies for the production of fuel gas and waste treatment and has by far the largest biomass gasification R&D capacity in the.

Although renewable energy is projected to play a small role in future electricity generation, it is expected to be much more significant in the total energy sector. Under one scenario, renewable energy other than hydro provides up to 4% of the total energy supply and 88 million tons of carbon emission reduction by 2020. The estimated growth in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as serious local and regional environmental pollution problems caused by combustion of fossil fuels, provide strong arguments for the development of renewable energy resources.     

Insights for global energy interconnection from China renewable energy development

Vigorously developing global renewable energy such as wind energy, solar energy, and hydropower and realizing global clean resource sharing are paramount driving forces for building the Global Energy Interconnection (GEI). With the help of a comparative analysis of renewable energy development and global renewable energy development scenarios, this paper expounds on the similarities between China1 and global renewable energy development. Based on the analysis of renewable energy development and the status of global renewable energy development in China, this paper summarizes the relevant experience and problems of renewable energy development in China. According to these problems, this paper also puts forward the corresponding solutions and measures, that is, to promote the healthy and steady development of renewable energy in China through the source-network-load-storage and market coordination. Finally, by analyzing the development requirements and current foundation of GEI, insights and suggestions are proposed for the future development of renewable energy for the GEI construction.     

Potential of renewable hydrogen production for energy supply in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is highly vulnerable to energy and economic security due to the heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels. The combustion of fossil fuels also causes serious environmental pollution. Therefore, it is important to explore the opportunities for clean renewable energy for long-term energy supply. Hong Kong has the potential to develop clean renewable hydrogen energy to improve the environmental performance. This paper reviews the recent development of hydrogen production technologies, followed by an overview of the renewable energy sources and a discussion about potential applications for renewable hydrogen production in Hong Kong. The results show that although renewable energy resources cannot entirely satisfy the energy demand in Hong Kong, solar energy, wind power, and biomass are available renewable sources for significant hydrogen production. A system consisting of wind turbines and photovoltaic (PV) panels coupled with electrolyzers is a promising design to produce hydrogen. Biomass, especially organic waste, offers an economical, environmental-friendly way for renewable hydrogen production. The achievable hydrogen energy output would be as much as 40% of the total energy consumption in transportation.     

The achievement,significance and future prospect of China's renewable energy initiative

China's high-speed economic growth and ambitious urbanization depend heavily on the massive consumption of fossil fuel. However, the over-dependence on the depleting fossil fuels causes severe environmental problems, making China the largest energy consumer and the biggest CO₂ emitter in the world. Faced with significant challenges in terms of managing its environment and moving forward with the concept of sustainable economic development, the Chinese government plans to move away from fossil fuels and rely on renewables such as hydropower, wind power, solar power, biomass power and nuclear power. In this paper, the current status of China's renewable energy deployment and the ongoing development projects are summarized and discussed. Most recent developments of major renewable energy sources are clearly reviewed. Additionally, the renewable energy development policies including laws and regulations, economic encouragement, technical research and development are also summarized. This study showcases China's achievements in exploiting its abundant domestic renewable energy sources to meet the future energy demand and reducing carbon emissions. To move toward a low carbon society, technological progress and policy improvements are needed for improving grid access (wind), securing nuclear fuel supplies and managing safety protocols (nuclear), integrating supply chains to achieve indigenous manufacture of technologies across supply chains (solar). Beyond that, a preliminary prediction of the development of China's future renewable energy developments, and proposes targeted countermeasures and suggestions are proposed. The proposal involves developing smart-grid system, investing on renewable energy research, improving the feed-in tariff system and clarifying the subsidy system.     

中国农村生活用能及其碳排放分析(2001-2010)

分析了2001~2008年中国农村生活用能的变化以及2001~2010年中国农村生活用能对气候变化的影响。研究发现,农村生活用能呈现了从非商品能源向商品能源转变的趋势,其中,传统生物质能源的消费比例从81.5%下降至70.9%,而商品能源则从17.1%上升至25.1%。此外,除传统生物质能源外的其它可再生能源的消费增长迅速,年均增长率为19.8%。与此相应,农村生活用能消费所导致的碳排放呈现出显著的增加趋势,由152.2百万t上升至366.89百万t,且农村人均CO2排放的增长速度是同期城镇人口的1.87倍。分析认为,影响商品能源消费的主要因素是农村居民收入的增加,强有力的政策支持则促进了农村除传统生物质能源外其他可再生能源的发展。     

Household energy consumption patterns in agricultural zone,pastoral zone and agro-pastoral transitional zone in eastern part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Despite the rapid development in fossil fuel, biomass is still the main energy resource in rural China. However, the research on household energy consumption on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is limited. We investigated the differences in household energy consumption pattern, the influencing factors of fuel type choice, and the willingness to use clean energy in agricultural, pastoral and agro-pastoral transitional zones in eastern part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Information was collected through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Physical Monitoring (PM). We found that biomass was the main energy resource in pastoral regions while fossil energy was the main fuel in agricultural regions. Energy consumption per capita in pastoral regions was higher than that in agricultural regions in our study area, and annual household energy consumption in pastoral regions was much higher than the provincial average. Altitude, livelihood and education level were main factors affecting domestic fuel type choice, while altitude and household size were two factors determining energy consumption per capita. The use of biomass as fuel could have negative influence on the material cycle in ecosystem and affect the carbon budget on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Householders were willing to use clean energy and most interviewees chose electricity as their favorite fuel type. Therefore, the modern utilization of biomass and the exploration of renewable energy are promising in future energy development in eastern part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, energy transition might be constrained by poor local transportation and traditional consumption habit of indigenous community.     

Biomass energy in developing countries

Energy from biomass already forms an important part of the world economy, especially in the form of traditional fuels. The author explains how the resource base is very large even under present technologies and may be larger under better techniques of cultivation or through genetic engineering. Gasification of wood and the production of charcoal are two of the most promising bioenergy technologies, with the production of alcohol from sugarcane a stronger contender under present world sugar market conditions. There are particular constraints for all renewable fuels, including bioenergy — such as uncertainty in oil prices — plus the special problems of competition with agriculture and confusion of planning authority. This paper examines the present role of biomass energy, the resource base for future development, some promising energy conversion technologies and uses and a few constraints on the development of bioenergy.     

Exuberance in China's renewable energy investment: Rationality,capital structure and implications with firm level evidence

The new century has witnessed phenomenal worldwide growth in renewable energy investments. China has been especially remarkable, surpassing both the US and the EU in 2013. Some recent facts, however, have raised the question of whether exuberant investment in China’s renewable energy sector is rational. This paper aims to contribute to the literature and to the debate in two ways. First, it tests the over-investment hypothesis based on the main stream finance methodology; second, it analyzes the role of capital structure in the performance of China's renewable energy firms. Empirical results show that overinvestment in the renewable energy sector exists. The problem is more significant in the biomass and wind sector. Capital structure is found to be more important to downstream firms, indicating that policy makers may provide support that enables these firms to finance their investments through corporate bonds, commercial credit, or long-terms debts.     

美国生物质能的发展状况及对我国的启示

2006年美国燃料乙醇产量为1 742万t,生物柴油产量90万t.2012年美国可再生燃料年利用量将增加到341亿L.美国发展生物质能主要目的是保护美国农民利益,通过政府引导,市场调节促进生物质能的产业发展;为了有效地规避风险,美国芝加哥期货交易所推出燃料乙醇期货.对我国的启示是,发展燃料乙醇不能照搬美国的模式,我国燃料乙醇要走多元化道路,政府要加大科研、开发的扶持力度,以及加强中美在生物质能领域的合作等.     

Renewable energy strategies for sustainable development

This paper discusses the perspective of renewable energy (wind, solar, wave and biomass) in the making of strategies for a sustainable development. Such strategies typically involve three major technological changes: energy savings on the demand side, efficiency improvements in the energy production, and replacement of fossil fuels by various sources of renewable energy. Consequently, large-scale renewable energy implementation plans must include strategies for integrating renewable sources in coherent energy systems influenced by energy savings and efficiency measures. Based on the case of Denmark, this paper discusses the problems and perspectives of converting present energy systems into a 100% renewable energy system. The conclusion is that such development is possible. The necessary renewable energy sources are present, and if further technological improvements of the energy system are achieved the renewable energy system can be created. Especially technologies of converting the transportation sector and the introduction of flexible energy system technologies are crucial.     

Renewable energy update: Malaysia

Recent renewable energy development in Malaysia is described. Three major sources, namely hydro-electricity, biomass and solar energy are discussed, focussing more towards the needs of electrical energy for electrification, and the need to dispose biomass waste generated from forestry and agricultural industries.     

The state of renewable energy harnessing in Tanzania

This paper details the state of renewable energy development in Tanzania and biomass energy supply and consumption. It also highlights the various levels of renewable energy programmes in the country and the Government strategy to improve renewable energy production and utilization technologies. A number of problems hindering the development of renewable energy technologies have been identified and discussed. Biomass accounts for 92% of final energy consumption in Tanzania and will continue to dominate the national energy balance. For example, fuelwood and agricultural residues used to meet domestic energy needs account for 80% of the domestic energy requirements, while commercial energy such as kerosene, electricity and liquefied petroleum gas account for 1%. Total biomass resources for 1990 was 27 million tonnes of oil equivalent (TOE) from the natural forests. Other major industrial biomass energy sources include sawmill industry, sugarcane plantations, sugar industry by-products, cashew nut industry, coffee industry and sisal industry. The major biomass consumers include woodfuel for domestic use, tobacco production, brick making, tea drying and fish smoking. While there are efforts to develop other renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind and minihydros, there are also problems hindering their development. They include the lack of adequate data on the actual energy potential of these sources as well as the lack of local capability to design and manufacture energy related equipment and spare parts.     

Renewable energy education in Turkey

Utilization of renewable energy sources and the application of environmentally sound energy technologies are essential to sustainable development and will help to secure the quality of living and the well-being of the future generations. Turkey presently has considerable renewable energy sources. The most important renewable sources are hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. The use of renewable energy as a topic to study energy and its forms permits a novel way to motivate students, particularly those who energy topics taking conscience with the environment. This paper presents the analysis and classification of renewable energy sources and how to find out their origin and a way to motivate students in energy topics related to renewable sources and also, the development of didactic competencies in special blended learning arrangements for educationalists, trainers and lecturers in adult education in the field of renewable energies in Turkey.     

Barriers and opportunities of using the clean development mechanism to advance renewable energy development in China

Studying the barriers and opportunities of using clean development mechanism (CDM) to advance renewable energy deployment in China has a practical significance to achieve its ambitious renewable energy plan which affects the global efforts to curb carbon emission. This paper analyses the role of CDM in promoting renewable energy development in China by reviewing the CDM activities, especially renewable energy CDM activities in China. There are three barriers to utilizing CDM for renewable energy deployment, namely the dilemma of additionality, lower proportional certified emission reduction credit revenues on the investment, and the lack of incentive for technology transfer. Whereas the opportunities of using CDM in promoting renewable energy development include the international carbon market redirection to renewable energy, Chinese renewable energy boom driven by a series of effective energy policies, and additional finance from CDM supporting Chinese renewable energy development. Based on the study on the barriers and opportunities, the article considers that CDM is an indispensable incentive and a viable choice to promote renewable energy deployment in China.     

Renewable energy in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship (Poland)

In this article we presented the current state and prospects for development of renewable energy in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship, in which the greatest amount of renewable energy in Poland is obtained. In this area there are 96 wind power plants, 103 water power plants, 7 biogas power plants, 4 biofuel producing plants, 3 big energy willow (Salix viminalis) plantations as well as numerous biomass boilers (mostly using wood). In the near future it is planned to further develop renewable energy based on wind, water and biomass.     

Resource potential and scope of utilization of renewable energy in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Jammu and Kashmir the northern most state of India is blessed with immense potential for utilization of renewable energy. The state at present is fairly untapped in terms of energy utilization and thus venturing into this region would definitely prove to be profitable. The natural energy sources like sunshine, wind, vegetation, water flow, biomass and other biological wastes though abundantly available in the state yet are not being potentially harnessed resulting in very low per capita energy availability, deforestation and poor health. Renewable energy acquires a promising option not only for energy availability next view and of environment protection but also the socio-economic conditions of the people residing in these areas can be improved to a great extent. The hydroelectric power has tremendous potential for generation of electricity in the state because the topography of the state provides extensive network of canals and streams. This paper describes the resource potential and opportunity to enter the market and bring more renewable energy projects in the form of solar, biomass derived fuels, biogas and hydroelectric in the state.