Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
5.1
National Green and Low-Carbon Energy Development
Green development means choosing sustainable development to ensure national
energy security, and to solve problems concerning resources and adapt to environ-
mental policies that inhibit development in order to cope with climate change and
enhances an ecological civilization.
The energy-provision structure dominated by coal confronts the nation with
challenges over energy and resources, ecology and climate change which seem
more problematic than in the developed countries of Europe and the US.
The electricity industry would become the main driving force in low-carbon
development and emissions reduction for the country.
5.1.1 Coal and Thermal Power
By 2012, China's capacity of thermal power amounted to 819 million kilowatts and
thermal power development features large capacity, high parameter and environ-
mental protections.
With greater demand for power to boost economic development, burning coal
would cause serious harm to the environment nationwide.
The power sector should attempt to reduce its emissions and pollutants. Coal
extraction in the country has surpassed 3.65 billion tons and approaching its
extraction limit in 2012.
Along with high pollution, coal transportation, rising prices and deficits in
thermal power are confronting the rapid development of coal-fired power.
5.1.1.1 China's Current Development of Coal-Fired Power
Forty percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the country derive from thermal
power. By 2012, installed capacity of thermal power reached 651.08 kW,
amounting to 75.7 % of the national total.
Full-caliber thermal power generation reached 3.91 trillion kilowatts, amounting
to over 80 % of the national total. National power generation consumed 1.4 billion
tons of raw coal, increasing 6.08 % compared with the same period last year,
amounting to 46 % of the national total coal consumption [
1
].
Thermal power causes considerable emissions of pollutants such as carbon
dioxide, which spark a serious need for energy savings and emission reductions.
During the Eleventh Ten Year Plan, China imposed tough measures to save
energy and reduce emissions.
Coal power companies were required to eliminate outdated manufacturing
equipment and poor techniques, which had brought positive results.
Speeding up the elimination of backward production capacity.
In 2011, China shut down small thermal power generating units with a total
generating capacity of 8 million kw and eliminated obsolete production capacity in
the following industries: iron smelting, 31.92 million tons; steel production, 28.46
million tons; cement (clinker and mill), 155 million tons; coke, 20.06 million tons;
