China Cementing Global Dominance of Renewable Energy and Technology

[DoTell]

This is commendable but, The massive air pollution occurring this winter throughout the country proves that we still have a lot more work to do.

 

[tranquilium]

This is commendable but, The massive air pollution occurring this winter throughout the country proves that we still have a lot more work to do.

To be honest, at the current technological level, the best we can do is alleviating symptoms, but not solving it at root. The primary sources of air pollution in any industrialized nation are:
1. Power Generation
2. Motor Vehicle
3. Heating
4. Industrial Production
5. Natural Geological Events

1. Coal fire station can be modified to be more efficient and emission can be somewhat reduced, but at the end of the day, a large and powerful industry WILL require large amount of power. Fission station does help somewhat, but it also have its own set of problems. Eventually solving the problem would require technological breakthrough in form of commericial available fusion. BTW, I don't consider de-industrialization to be a solution, it is equivalent to treating foot fungus by cutting off your leg.
2. Motor Vehicle problem is two-fold. The first one is the raw number of vehicles. The second one is the CONCENTRATION of vehicles. US has a lot of vehicles as well and it contributes to a large part of the nation's air pollution, but since US population are more spread out, the smog effect is reduced quite a bit. This problem requires breakthrough in electrical vehicle manufacturing (especially the electricity storage technology) and more urban-rural development planning.
3. Household Heating is also a major source of pollution. There is a reason why China's smog problem is mostly concentrated in winter time. Gas heating, of course, is more efficient and less polluting than coal heating. However, that just shifts the problem from one fossil fuel to another. Electricity heating requires more infrastructure and place heavier burden on the grid. Also, at the end of the day, electrical heating is also a transfer of problem from issue 3 to issue 1. That energy has to come from somewhere.
4. Industrial production, of course, produces air pollution, but to be honest, much of it is also from various heating process, which goes back to the previous question of where to get the energy. Other process also release a variety of air pollution. They control can also only come from better technology.
5. Geological and Meteorological events have a very large impact on the air pollution, especially the highly visible smog events.
http://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/...2015/GPEA 2015 City Rankings_briefing_int.pdf
Take Beijing for example, Greenpeace's report indicate that Beijing's air pollution is actually falling quite a bit on yearly comparison, but local weather events has a much more pronouced effect in the short period. (For those of you that don't know, Beijing is a surrounded by mountain on three sides. It makes a very militarily defensible position in ancient time, but a low pressure front during winter time can trap smog in the area.)

Of course, this is just PM2.5. There plenty of other indicators, such as PM10.

 

[Shotgunner51]

The big foreign investments in 2016 included two in Australia, two in Germany and two in Brazil, as well as deals in Chile, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan and Vietnam.

• In Australia, China Light & Power struck a $1.1bn deal, buying power from wind and solar farms.
• In Chile, Tianqi Lithium spent $2.5bn acquiring a 25% stake of a lithium miner and processor. (Lithium is essential for lithium batteries used in electric vehicles and home battery storage.)
• In Germany, Beijing Enterprises Holdings Ltd spend $1.6bn on a Waste to Energy development.

Good info, I'm tracking energy (include green energy) business movements but not aware of the above three M&A, thanks for sharing the news!

To be honest, at the current technological level, the best we can do is alleviating symptoms, but not solving it at root. The primary sources of air pollution in any industrialized nation are:
1. Power Generation
2. Motor Vehicle
3. Heating
4. Industrial Production
5. Natural Geological Events

1. Coal fire station can be modified to be more efficient and emission can be somewhat reduced, but at the end of the day, a large and powerful industry WILL require large amount of power. Fission station does help somewhat, but it also have its own set of problems. Eventually solving the problem would require technological breakthrough in form of commericial available fusion. BTW, I don't consider de-industrialization to be a solution, it is equivalent to treating foot fungus by cutting off your leg.
2. Motor Vehicle problem is two-fold. The first one is the raw number of vehicles. The second one is the CONCENTRATION of vehicles. US has a lot of vehicles as well and it contributes to a large part of the nation's air pollution, but since US population are more spread out, the smog effect is reduced quite a bit. This problem requires breakthrough in electrical vehicle manufacturing (especially the electricity storage technology) and more urban-rural development planning.
3. Household Heating is also a major source of pollution. There is a reason why China's smog problem is mostly concentrated in winter time. Gas heating, of course, is more efficient and less polluting than coal heating. However, that just shifts the problem from one fossil fuel to another. Electricity heating requires more infrastructure and place heavier burden on the grid. Also, at the end of the day, electrical heating is also a transfer of problem from issue 3 to issue 1. That energy has to come from somewhere.
4. Industrial production, of course, produces air pollution, but to be honest, much of it is also from various heating process, which goes back to the previous question of where to get the energy. Other process also release a variety of air pollution. They control can also only come from better technology.
5. Geological and Meteorological events have a very large impact on the air pollution, especially the highly visible smog events.
http://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/Global/eastasia/publications/reports/climate-energy/2015/GPEA 2015 City Rankings_briefing_int.pdf
Take Beijing for example, Greenpeace's report indicate that Beijing's air pollution is actually falling quite a bit on yearly comparison, but local weather events has a much more pronouced effect in the short period. (For those of you that don't know, Beijing is a surrounded by mountain on three sides. It makes a very militarily defensible position in ancient time, but a low pressure front during winter time can trap smog in the area.)

Of course, this is just PM2.5. There plenty of other indicators, such as PM10.

Agree, the size and depth of this global challenge are massive, so are the opportunities, it's gonna be a long run.

 

[Shotgunner51]

This is commendable but, The massive air pollution occurring this winter throughout the country proves that we still have a lot more work to do.

China’s ‘war on pollution’ leads to 720 arrests, $63.6mn in fines
Published time: 12 Jan, 2017 15:08

• China detained 720 people and imposed fines totaling $63.6 million last year as part of its ‘war on pollution,’ according to state media.

• The central government looked into 33,000 cases of potential violations of environmental protection laws in 2016, according to data disclosed at a national environment work conference, as cited by state news outlet Xinhua.

• Fines totaling 440 million yuan (US$63.6 million) were handed down, and 720 arrests were made.

• The inspections took place in several provinces and municipalities, including Beijing and Shanghai.

• The agency went on to state that the government refused 11 high-pollution and high-energy consuming projects in 2016, involving total investments of 97 billion yuan ($14 billion).

• It also said that 4.05 million high emission vehicles were taken off China's roads last year, which, in part, caused pollution levels to drop.

• It comes just one week after smog levels in China reached historic levels, with as many as 32 cities under ‘red alert’ - the country's most severe pollution warning. Two other red alerts in Beijing forced the closures of schools and factories in December, and half the city's cars being banned from the roads.

• The year 2016 marked the third year of China's ‘war on pollution.’

• Meanwhile, the central government also put forth a national plan on environmental improvement for the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020) last month, which outlined detailed plans to tackle polluted air, water, and soil.

• In another attempt to combat its pollution problem, China - the world's largest consumer of coal - has also announced that the country will spend $360 billion on renewable energy projects, turning to solar and wind power.

Read the full story at https://www.rt.com/news/373467-china-pollution-fines-arrests/

 

[Jlaw]

This is commendable but, The massive air pollution occurring this winter throughout the country proves that we still have a lot more work to do.

Because of coal burning. Why not retrofit buildings with natural gas?

 

[Place Of Space]

Because of coal burning. Why not retrofit buildings with natural gas?

Retrofitting system and modifying energy structure are undertaken. China have to create new industry, such as coal chemical, coal down-stream materials. Burning coal is a huge waste, worthless business.

 

[Cybernetics]

Green China Rising

Published on Jan 6, 2017


Necessity is the mother of invention. Out of the ashes of the old economy will emerge a new China.

The pace and scale which China operates at is just mind boggling.

 

[ahojunk]

China eyes ocean renewable energy development
2017-01-12 18:27 | Xinhua | Editor: Wang Fan

China's maritime authority has issued a five-year plan on developing ocean renewable energy, stipulating measures to develop relevant technology and utilize island renewable energy.

The plan, issued by the State Oceanic Administration and made public on Thursday, said efforts will be made to promote the application of marine renewable energy and make better use of island renewable energy by carrying out evaluations and developing technology and equipment.

The plan also said basic research and innovations in key technology related to marine renewable energy will be encouraged.

The foundation for ocean energy development will be reinforced, and resource assessment and building of public service platforms in the South China Sea and island regions will be the focus, according to the plan.

The plan also mentioned opening-up and international cooperation measures in relevant fields.

According to the plan, ocean renewable energy includes energy generated from sea tides, waves, temperature differences and biomass.

.

 

[Clutch]

This is commendable but, The massive air pollution occurring this winter throughout the country proves that we still have a lot more work to do.

I sure China will get there.

It isn't always about where you are, but rather where you are heading.

China as a nation needed fossil fuels to propel itself into the economic superpower of today. It is commendable that it recognizes the urgency of embracing renewable and clean energy for its future needs.

 

[ahojunk]

Li Junfeng Receives Zayed Future Energy Prize Lifetime Achievement Award
2017-01-17 09:19 | Global Times | Editor: Li Yan

Visionary Leader of China's Clean Energy Transition Wins Prestigious Award

Li Junfeng, Director General of China's National Center of Climate Change Strategy Research - National Development and Reform Commission, was today awarded the 2017 Lifetime Achievement award of the Zayed Future Energy Prize. Mr. Li was recognised for his relentless determination in driving China's transition to a global leader in the adoption and proliferation of renewable energy.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia presented the Zayed Future Energy Prize to Mr. Li during the Zayed Future Energy Prize awards ceremony, during the opening of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2017.

Mr. Li was instrumental in drafting and structuring China's Renewable Energy Law, which was passed in 2005 and spearheaded the country's spectacular boom in electricity generation from renewable sources. He has been a lifelong advocate of environmental sustainability and has played a critical role in China's support of the Paris Climate Agreement. Mr. Li is regarded as an independent voice on energy policy issues, repeatedly calling for China to reduce its reliance on coal and to strengthen its renewable power targets.

His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, said: "Our Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's relentless determination to achieve a more sustainable future is a driver for our continued progress. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Li has shown an unwavering drive for positive impact and is a true reflection of the prize."

His Excellency added: "For three decades, Li has been at the forefront of China's transition towards a clean energy, low carbon future. His vision and foresight to advocate for renewable energy during China's rapid economic growth was unprecedented. Today, he is helping to forge a path for the world's most populous nation to also be a global leader in the adoption of renewable energy and sustainability."

Mr. Li has held a number of important external roles, serving on the boards of the Global Wind Energy Council and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). In this capacity, his expertise in structuring renewable energy project development for the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) led to the development of the first Clean Development Mechanism project in China.

Accepting the award, Mr. Li said: "Like Sheikh Zayed, it was my experiences as a young man and observing the impact we can have on our world that spurred me to dedicate my life to energy sustainability. Developing energy that is both safe and sustainable is critical to the prosperity of a nation and is something that the UAE's founding father was a leading advocate for. It is also what drives the Chinese government's economic, social and environmental development. To this end, I am extremely proud to have played my part."

Mr. Li continued: "I am honoured to receive this prestigious award. More than ever, we need to unlock the potential across all sectors of society - the Zayed Future Energy Prize is a true pioneer in this regard. The prize empowers and drives momentum for visionaries in renewable energy and sustainability, and I am honoured to join such an illustrious community."

 

[TaiShang]

Companies from Cuba, China sign deals to strengthen cooperation on renewable energy
Xinhua, January 21, 2017

Companies from Cuba and China on Friday signed 10 agreements to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy and industry after a three-day forum.

With the participation of 18 Chinese companies and 20 Cuban firms, the forum analyzed cooperation strategies to expand the development of renewable energy in the island nation.

The event also saw Chinese companies present solutions for the development, manufacturing of equipment, construction, operation and administration of solar, wind and hydro-powered projects.

Both countries are interested in developing the renewable energy industry as it is a highly efficient way to boost the development of the economy, said Gu Chengkui, an expert from China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID).

Gu, who led the Chinese delegation to the event, said this business forum was an efficient way for the CCID and the Cuban Ministry of Industries to explore cooperation potentials.

Agreements signed between the two sides included a memorandum of understanding between Cuban Electronics Group and Chinese company Haier for the establishment of a joint venture and a R&D center for renewable energies.

"Cuba has very positive ideas for the development of its renewable industry. With the knowledge and experience of China, we can jointly promote and develop Cuba's renewable sector," said Gu after the deals were signed.

Cuba is keen to increase the use of renewable energy, especially wind and solar. Currently 4.65 percent of its energy use is generated by renewable or clean resources but the country plans to increase the ratio to 24 percent by 2030.

 

[onebyone]

 

[ahojunk]

Global Energy News | Thu Feb 2, 2017 | 9:54pm EST | Reuters
China to launch green certificates for renewable power in July

China will launch the trading of green certificates for solar and wind power on July 1 in a bid to help reduce government subsidies to the renewables sector, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on Friday.

In a pilot program, the NDRC said solar and wind producers would be issued tradeable certificates, proving that electricity has been generated through renewable energy sources.

Renewable energy users such as private and state businesses would be encouraged to buy the certificates, which would then entitle them to an unspecified payment. Each certificate would represent 1 megawatt hour of power, the NDRC said.

Solar and wind power producers who had sold their certificates would no longer receive a direct subsidy for electricity production, it said, without giving further details.

The NDRC said it would monitor the pilot program and could launch a mandatory green certificate scheme in 2018.

Renewable energy makes up about 11 percent of China's energy consumption, with producers granted heavy subsidies.

China said last month it would cut the guaranteed subsidized prices paid for electricity supplied to its national grid by newly built large-scale solar power plants and onshore wind turbines starting Jan. 1.

The NDRC said the change reflected the decreasing cost of renewable energy production and would reduce the burden of state investment in the sector.


(Reporting by Meng Meng and Beijing Monitoring Desk; Editing by Richard Pullin)

 

[Shotgunner51]

China is Now the Biggest Producer of Solar Energy in the World
Written By Author June Javelosa Editor Chelsea Gohd
1 hour ago

In Brief

• China is home to a whopping 1.357 billion people and is a leading producer, which makes their decision to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy incredibly important
• If other major producing countries followed China's lead, we could be on our way to a more environmentally conscious future

China has proven that it is, in fact, very serious about its intentions to lessen dependence on coal. According to China’s National Energy Administration (NEA), the country has more than doubled its solar energy production in 2016 — making them the biggest producer of solar energy (in terms of capacity) in the world

Image Credit: Reuters

By the end of last year, China hit 77.42 gigawatts, which generated 66.2 billion kilowatt-hours of power. While significant, the figure is relatively small given China’s massive population. And being the world’s biggest industrial nation, this only accounted for one percent of the country’s total power generation. However, given that China is looking to significantly boost its use of renewable power, that number will hopefully increase in the years to come.

Following NEA’s development plan and energy goals, the country is working towards adding over 110 gigawatts of capacity by 2020. With continued focus and effort, they hope to increase their use of renewable power from 11 percent to 20 percent by 2030.

Transitioning to renewable energy will require a significant investment from China, but it’s an investment that China is clearly ready to make. In fact, the country has already allotted $364 billion (2.5 trillion yuan) towards this vision. Since China is such a large producer with such a massive population, this large step towards sustainability will have a tremendous impact. With the ever-progressing repercussions of climate change upon us, efforts like this are what make a green future possible.

https://futurism.com/china-is-now-the-biggest-producer-of-solar-energy-in-the-world/

 

[onebyone]

China is now the world’s largest solar power producer
Lulu Chang
Digital Trends February 6, 2017

china solar energy shanghai panels

As it stands, solar energy represents only one percent of the country’s energy output. But this may soon change as China devotes more and more of its attention towards clean energy. The NEA says that China will seek to add more than 110 gigawatts within the next three years, which could help the nation up the proportion of its renewable energy use to 20 percent by 2030. Today, it stands at 11 percent.

More: Wasted renewable energy a thing of the past as Tesla unveils energy storage center

China’s geography certainly lends itself to large solar energy farms. Last year, Shandong, Xinjiang, and Henan provinces enjoyed the greatest increase in their solar capacity, whereas Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai, and Inner Mongolia ended up with the most overall capacity at the end of 2016.

Weaning itself off of fossil fuels will require quite a hefty investment; one that China appears ready to make. As per a Reuters report, the nation will be pouring some 2.5 trillion yuan ($364 billion) into renewable power generation by the end of the decade.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-become-world-biggest-producer-032449293.html