Zhang Xiliang

An assessment of programs to promote improved household stoves in China

In 2002, a team of US and Chinese researchers collaborated on an independent, multidisciplinary review of Chinas improved rural household stove programs that have been carried out since the 1980s. The objectives were to delineate and evaluate the methods used to promote improved stoves, to assess the development of commercial stove production and marketing organizations, and to measure the household impacts of the programs through surveys of health, stoves, and indoor air quality. The team found that China implemented broadly successful programs that delivered better stoves to a majority of households in targeted counties. That success was based on strong administrative, technical, and outreach competence and resources situated at the local level, motivated by sustained national-level attention. Despite overstated claims for penetration of improved stoves, mostbiomass stoves now in use have flues and other “improved” aspects, although field efficiencies are less than design efficiencies. However, most coal stoves, even those using improved fuel (briquettes), lack flues and cannot be considered improved. While in most areas “improved” stove technology became “conventional”, some areas remain significant exceptions and require intervention. Large roles for government oversight of quality control and support of R&D remain inadequately fulfilled. Most results of indoor air quality monitoring and health surveys were not clear-cut, in part because of the wide variety of fuel and stove combinations used by households. For nearly all household stove/fuel groupings, however, PM4 levels were higher than – and sometimes more than twice as high as – the national standard for indoor air (150 μg PM10/m3). If these results are typical, then a large fraction of Chinas rural population is now chronically exposed to levels of pollution far higher than those determined by the Chinese government to harm human health. Improved stoves in the surveyed households did result in reduced PM4 concentrations indoors for biomass fuel combinations. Coal use was associated with elevated levels of CO in exhaled breath, and improved biomass stoves with lower levels. Childhood asthma and adult respiratory disease were positively associated with coal use and negatively associated with improved stoves and good stove maintenance. The benefits of using improved biomass stoves can be outweighed by the use of portable coal stoves without flues. Evaluation of the programs provides important lessons for future initiatives in China and in other countries.

Development of Biofuels in China: Technologies, Economics and Policies

China promulgated the Medium and Long-Term Development Plan for Renewable Energy in 2007, which included targets of 2010 and 2020 for various renewable energy technologies including biofuels. The 2010 biofuel targets were met and even surpassed except for non-grain fuel ethanol; however, there is debate on whether and how the country will be able to meet the 2020 biofuels target. This paper provides a resource and technological assessment of biofuel feedstocks, compares biofuel production costs from various feddstocks and technologies, and evaluates policies introduced in the country for the development of biofuels. The paper also presents the projections on the production of biofuels under various policy scenarios. The study shows that China can potentially satisfy its non-grain fuel ethanol target by 2020 from the technology perspective. But it will probably fall far short of this target without additional fiscal incentives as production costs of non-grain feedstock based biofuels are expected to remain relatively high. By contrast, the 2020 target of biodiesel production has a high probability of being achieved because the target itself is relatively small. With additional support policies, it could develop even further.

Renewable energy development and utilisation in China: opportunities and challenges

China is the largest developing country and the second largest energy-consuming and CO2-emitting country in the world. China has already regarded renewable energy development and utilisation as a critical element of their sustainable energy strategy. In this context, Chinas renewable energy development and utilisation will have important implications for the world energy market development and global environmental protection over the long term. This paper gives an overview of the context of Chinas renewable energy development and utilisation in terms of driving forces, current development and utilisation status, future targets, barriers and public policy.

Scenario Analyses of Automotive Energy

This chapter provides a further integrated analysis of these energy problems, introduces a comprehensive analytical framework and modeling tools, and focuses on an analysis and evaluation of several scenarios related to vehicle energy systems. The aim is to provide an understanding of the essential development of automotive energy in China as well as to offer a scientific, structured data basis for choice of technology and policy formulation regarding sustainable automotive energy.

Policy Recommendations Regarding Sustainable Development of China’s Automotive Energy

The ultimate goal in developing China’s automotive energy is the establishment of a sustainable automotive energy system, which amounts to an ideal policy target scenario.

Life-Cycle Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Automotive Energy Pathways

In this chapter, a life-cycle analysis (LCA) of vehicle-fuel pathways covering the stages of resource extraction, fuel production, and utilization is conducted to examine the macro impact of China’s road transport energy supply and related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.