China's 'rapid renewables surge'
Friday, 1 August 2008
Science and nature reporter, BBC News
China's rapid investment in low carbon technologies has catapulted the nation up the global renewable energy rankings, a report shows.
The Climate Group study said China invested $12bn (£6bn) in renewables during 2007, second only to Germany.
However, it was expected to top the table by the end of 2009, it added.
The findings have been published as China faces criticism over its air quality ahead of the Beijing Olympic Games, which begin on 8 August.
The report, China's Clean Revolution, brings together the latest data on the country's burgeoning renewables sector in one publication.
Co-author Changhua Wu, The Climate Group's China director, said the rapid rise in investment was, in part, the result of the government realising that the western model of industrialisation was unsustainable.
"China has been experiencing similar problems during its industrial revolution that western nations saw during their period of rapid growth - pollution, environmental damage and resource depletion," she told BBC News.
"Domestically, we are being constrained in many ways; we do not have that many natural resources anymore.
"We have to rely on the international markets, so there is a big security concern there."
Uncertainty over future energy supplies has seen global fuel prices reach record levels, which has resulted in renewable technologies becoming a more attractive option.
The report said China's $12bn investment in renewables during 2007 was only just behind top-of-the-table Germany, which spent $14bn.
In order to meet its target of increasing the percentage of energy from low carbon technologies from 8% in 2006 to 15% by 2020, China is expected to invest an average of $33bn annually for the next 12 years.
This was going to result in China becoming the leading investor by the end of 2009, Ms Wu forecast.
Figures within the report showed that China was already the leading producer in terms of installed renewable generation capacity.
It has the world's largest hydroelectricity capacity since the controversial Three Gorges project began producing electricity, and the fifth largest fleet of wind turbines on the planet.
Although its installed capacity of photovoltaic (PV) panels is still relatively low, it is already the leading manufacturer of solar panels.
Ms Wu explained that the rapid growth of the sector was being driven by both government and business.
"In order to really drive towards a low carbon economy, policy incentives are crucial; but it is not always the case," she said.
"The wind sector's fast growth was mainly a result of domestic policies, because the government offered incentives to developments so that private and public sector entrepreneurs would jump on it.
"But the solar PV sector benefitted mainly from the international market, such as demand from the US and EU.
"Even today, the policy incentives are still not there, yet it still has grown to the level it is now."
Lingering legacy
However, despite the advances in low carbon technology, the legacy of rapid economic growth, which was primarily fuelled by burning coal, has been soaring greenhouse gas emissions.
In the final days before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing, there has been growing international concern over the air quality in the Chinese capital as the world's top athletes begin to arrive.
Organisers of the Games had promised that the city's notorious pollution would be cleaned up, so failure to deliver would be seen as an embarrassing environmental shortcoming.
City officials said that they would introduce emergency measures, such as banning the use of private cars and closing some factories, if conditions did not improve.
Although Beijing's troubles are currently under the media spotlight, air quality is a nationwide problem. According to figures from the World Bank, 20 of the planet's 30 most polluted cities are in China.
"In terms of total emissions, China is already the world's biggest emitter," Ms Wu said. "That's publicly available information, even the government is not denying it anymore.
"But if you look at emissions on a per capita basis, we are not the biggest emitters because we have 1.3bn people."
The report suggests that if China's population emitted as much as US citizens, its total emissions would be roughly equivalent to those of the entire planet's human activity.
"But just looking at numbers does not help tackle global climate change," Ms Wu added.
"In China, we are concerned about the speed of growth in emissions; it is really scary."
The report showed that China was only responsible for about 7% of greenhouse gases emitted in the period before 2002, when more than 90% of emissions from human activity were released.
But since the turn of the century, it added, China's portion has been growing steadily and now accounts for 24% of the global total.
The government is looking to stabilise its emissions by 2020, primarily through greater energy efficiency and the expansion of the nation's renewable energy infrastructure, including electric cars.
Ms Wu added that within the international climate negotiations, the Chinese were looking to developed nations to prove that they were serious about tackling climate change, such as delivering the mandatory cuts in emissions outlined in the Kyoto Protocol.
"If they are not able to do it with the technology available to them, then is it reasonable to expect China and India to do it?
"China does not commit itself to a number and then not deliver," she said, referring to whether China would sign up to legally binding targets in the ongoing UN climate negotiations about what system should replace the current Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.
"If they commit, then they are very, very serious about; so they have to figure out what is possible."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7535839.stm
Full Version: China's 'rapid Renewables Surge
You can never run out of admiration for the business spirit in this country.
everyone else in the world suggests ways to make power and reduce thier carbon footprint, people dream of setting up big businesses and become renewable energy tycoons, the Chinese decide one day the air isn't clean enough and actually go about doing something about it, rather than talk.
The perfect model, driven by business demand and government incentive.
everyone else in the world suggests ways to make power and reduce thier carbon footprint, people dream of setting up big businesses and become renewable energy tycoons, the Chinese decide one day the air isn't clean enough and actually go about doing something about it, rather than talk.
The perfect model, driven by business demand and government incentive.
For those who are attending the Beijing Olympic Games or visiting China, they should notice one very visible effort (among many others) to harness and use energy from renewable sources. The outside lightings in the Qingdao Olympic venue where the sailing events will be held are powered by forces of nature. Light poles with wind turbine attached to the top are powered by wind while other have solar panels and batteries.
There is also a huge wind turbine farm in the reservoir region (supply water to the capital) northeast of Beijing, but it is somewhat out-of-the-way.
There is also a huge wind turbine farm in the reservoir region (supply water to the capital) northeast of Beijing, but it is somewhat out-of-the-way.
QUOTE(platinum786 @ Aug 1 2008, 09:30 AM) 
You can never run out of admiration for the business spirit in this country.
everyone else in the world suggests ways to make power and reduce thier carbon footprint, people dream of setting up big businesses and become renewable energy tycoons, the Chinese decide one day the air isn't clean enough and actually go about doing something about it, rather than talk.
The perfect model, driven by business demand and government incentive.
everyone else in the world suggests ways to make power and reduce thier carbon footprint, people dream of setting up big businesses and become renewable energy tycoons, the Chinese decide one day the air isn't clean enough and actually go about doing something about it, rather than talk.
The perfect model, driven by business demand and government incentive.
Yes, and our incompetent leaders cannot even start the development of our own massive coal reserves, a technology which has been in use for the past 150 years (on the large scale, and 4000 years on the small scale).
Neither can they muster enough balls to build the necessary dams in the country. May God forgive this nation for whatever it has done to 'deserve' such leaders..
QUOTE(macau boy @ Aug 2 2008, 02:39 AM)
For those who are attending the Beijing Olympic Games or visiting China, they should notice one very visible effort (among many others) to harness and use energy from renewable sources. The outside lightings in the Qingdao Olympic venue where the sailing events will be held are powered by forces of nature. Light poles with wind turbine attached to the top are powered by wind while other have solar panels and batteries.
There is also a huge wind turbine farm in the reservoir region (supply water to the capital) northeast of Beijing, but it is somewhat out-of-the-way.
There is also a huge wind turbine farm in the reservoir region (supply water to the capital) northeast of Beijing, but it is somewhat out-of-the-way.
The future of China's energy need lies in the research of nuclear fusion reactor. Other sources such as wind, hydro, geothermal and solar should be supplemental.
Campaign gets China to switch on to energy efficiency
2008-08-02
BEIJING - He Xin, 65, a pensioner living in Beijing's Jianguomen area, is fitting compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in all her rooms after receiving five 1-yuan (14.6 US cents) CFLs from her neighborhood committee.
"A CFL costs more than a traditional fluorescent bulb, but it lasts much longer and saves a lot of energy," He says.
The government-subsidized program allows each urban household in Beijing to buy five CFLs for 1 yuan, 10 percent of the wholesale price. Additional CFLs can be bought for 40 percent of the shop price.
"The program raises awareness of energy conservation and environmental protection. We can all help stop climate change," says He.
The Beijing government aimed to sell 5 million 1-yuan CFLs from June 15 till the Olympics, with an estimated 50 million yuan in subsidies.
The energy conservation and environmental protection center under the Municipal Development and Reform Commission (BMDRC) says the 3.6 million CFLs intended for 477 communities in Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen and Xuanwu districts are sold out, and distribution of the remaining 1.4 million for institutional users is under way.
Yang Zhihui, head of the BMDRC environment and resources utilization division, says the 5 million CFLs could save 200 million KW/h of power a year and around 120 million yuan in electricity bills.
The government subsidies would be recovered in six months, Yang says.
More importantly, 84,000 tons of coal could be saved and carbon dioxide emissions cut by 226,200 tons every year. It would also lead to an annual cut of 6,200 tons in sulfur dioxide emissions, 61,700 tons in carbon dust and 3,100 tons in nitrogen oxide, all helping to improve air quality in the capital, says Lin Wenjie, another official with the division.
The CFL program is a national effort to increase energy-efficient light bulb use by 50 million a year, as part of the government's nationwide campaign for energy conservation and emissions reduction.
On Saturday, the State Council, or Cabinet, released a circular to promote the campaign. Major measures include:
-- activities to simulate energy shortages to enhance awareness of energy conservation;
-- one day off the roads each week for official vehicles;
-- air conditioner temperature limits in public buildings -- a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius in summer and no higher than 20 degrees in winter;
-- reduced use of elevators and escalators;
-- controls on street and landscape lamps;
-- promoting the use of reusable shopping bags and discouraging the use of disposable products;
-- relaxations of work dress codes to allow cooler clothing in summer.
Last month, Premier Wen Jiabao presided over a State Council executive meeting on energy conservation and emissions reduction, where it was agreed that energy saving was the common responsibility for all Chinese and the promotion of energy-efficient lifestyles was imperative.
The concepts of energy conservation and environmental protection have begun to sink into public awareness, notably after top government leaders were photographed in short-sleeved shirts, instead of suits, last summer.
On Wednesday, 100,000 wrist bands embroidered with eight Chinese characters meaning "energy conservation and emissions reduction -- actions by all people" were given to Olympic volunteers to raise pubic awareness.
"When more people see energy conservation and environment protection as part of their lifestyles, the efforts will pay off greatly," says Yunnan provincial government energy conservation official Ma Liangju.
In Tianjin to the north, 100,000 college students and volunteers helped collect rubbish along the Haihe River. Senior citizens in the northeast Liaoning Province handed out fabric shopping bags. In the southwest city of Kunming, college students campaigned against disposable chopsticks.
Businesses are acting too. China Mobile, China's biggest mobile telecommunications company, has begun a "green packaging" scheme, aiming to cut consumption of timber by 57,000 cubic meters a year and fuel oil by 1.37 million liters, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 120,000 tons.
The government wants to cut the energy intensity index (measured by energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP) by 20 percent from 2005 to 2010, or 4 percent a year, and pollutants discharges by 10 percent by 2010.
The government has allocated 41.8 billion yuan to the cause this year.
But, says Xie Zhenhua, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), only a quarter of the goals were met in the past two years. To achieve the 2010 goals, the energy intensity index should be cut more than 5 percent on each of the next three years -- an arduous task.
In the second half, the government will continue the accountability system for energy conservation, step up efforts to phase out inefficient production, and push forward the major energy conservation and emissions reduction projects.
Last month, the NDRC revealed that seven of the China's 30 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions failed to meet annual energy conservation targets.
Xie said the leadership of the local governments would be called to account for their failures.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08...t_6899339_3.htm
2008-08-02
BEIJING - He Xin, 65, a pensioner living in Beijing's Jianguomen area, is fitting compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in all her rooms after receiving five 1-yuan (14.6 US cents) CFLs from her neighborhood committee.
"A CFL costs more than a traditional fluorescent bulb, but it lasts much longer and saves a lot of energy," He says.
The government-subsidized program allows each urban household in Beijing to buy five CFLs for 1 yuan, 10 percent of the wholesale price. Additional CFLs can be bought for 40 percent of the shop price.
"The program raises awareness of energy conservation and environmental protection. We can all help stop climate change," says He.
The Beijing government aimed to sell 5 million 1-yuan CFLs from June 15 till the Olympics, with an estimated 50 million yuan in subsidies.
The energy conservation and environmental protection center under the Municipal Development and Reform Commission (BMDRC) says the 3.6 million CFLs intended for 477 communities in Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen and Xuanwu districts are sold out, and distribution of the remaining 1.4 million for institutional users is under way.
Yang Zhihui, head of the BMDRC environment and resources utilization division, says the 5 million CFLs could save 200 million KW/h of power a year and around 120 million yuan in electricity bills.
The government subsidies would be recovered in six months, Yang says.
More importantly, 84,000 tons of coal could be saved and carbon dioxide emissions cut by 226,200 tons every year. It would also lead to an annual cut of 6,200 tons in sulfur dioxide emissions, 61,700 tons in carbon dust and 3,100 tons in nitrogen oxide, all helping to improve air quality in the capital, says Lin Wenjie, another official with the division.
The CFL program is a national effort to increase energy-efficient light bulb use by 50 million a year, as part of the government's nationwide campaign for energy conservation and emissions reduction.
On Saturday, the State Council, or Cabinet, released a circular to promote the campaign. Major measures include:
-- activities to simulate energy shortages to enhance awareness of energy conservation;
-- one day off the roads each week for official vehicles;
-- air conditioner temperature limits in public buildings -- a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius in summer and no higher than 20 degrees in winter;
-- reduced use of elevators and escalators;
-- controls on street and landscape lamps;
-- promoting the use of reusable shopping bags and discouraging the use of disposable products;
-- relaxations of work dress codes to allow cooler clothing in summer.
Last month, Premier Wen Jiabao presided over a State Council executive meeting on energy conservation and emissions reduction, where it was agreed that energy saving was the common responsibility for all Chinese and the promotion of energy-efficient lifestyles was imperative.
The concepts of energy conservation and environmental protection have begun to sink into public awareness, notably after top government leaders were photographed in short-sleeved shirts, instead of suits, last summer.
On Wednesday, 100,000 wrist bands embroidered with eight Chinese characters meaning "energy conservation and emissions reduction -- actions by all people" were given to Olympic volunteers to raise pubic awareness.
"When more people see energy conservation and environment protection as part of their lifestyles, the efforts will pay off greatly," says Yunnan provincial government energy conservation official Ma Liangju.
In Tianjin to the north, 100,000 college students and volunteers helped collect rubbish along the Haihe River. Senior citizens in the northeast Liaoning Province handed out fabric shopping bags. In the southwest city of Kunming, college students campaigned against disposable chopsticks.
Businesses are acting too. China Mobile, China's biggest mobile telecommunications company, has begun a "green packaging" scheme, aiming to cut consumption of timber by 57,000 cubic meters a year and fuel oil by 1.37 million liters, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 120,000 tons.
The government wants to cut the energy intensity index (measured by energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP) by 20 percent from 2005 to 2010, or 4 percent a year, and pollutants discharges by 10 percent by 2010.
The government has allocated 41.8 billion yuan to the cause this year.
But, says Xie Zhenhua, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), only a quarter of the goals were met in the past two years. To achieve the 2010 goals, the energy intensity index should be cut more than 5 percent on each of the next three years -- an arduous task.
In the second half, the government will continue the accountability system for energy conservation, step up efforts to phase out inefficient production, and push forward the major energy conservation and emissions reduction projects.
Last month, the NDRC revealed that seven of the China's 30 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions failed to meet annual energy conservation targets.
Xie said the leadership of the local governments would be called to account for their failures.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08...t_6899339_3.htm
Campaign gets China to switch on to energy efficiency
2008-08-02
BEIJING - He Xin, 65, a pensioner living in Beijing's Jianguomen area, is fitting compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in all her rooms after receiving five 1-yuan (14.6 US cents) CFLs from her neighborhood committee.
"A CFL costs more than a traditional fluorescent bulb, but it lasts much longer and saves a lot of energy," He says.
The government-subsidized program allows each urban household in Beijing to buy five CFLs for 1 yuan, 10 percent of the wholesale price. Additional CFLs can be bought for 40 percent of the shop price.
"The program raises awareness of energy conservation and environmental protection. We can all help stop climate change," says He.
The Beijing government aimed to sell 5 million 1-yuan CFLs from June 15 till the Olympics, with an estimated 50 million yuan in subsidies.
The energy conservation and environmental protection center under the Municipal Development and Reform Commission (BMDRC) says the 3.6 million CFLs intended for 477 communities in Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen and Xuanwu districts are sold out, and distribution of the remaining 1.4 million for institutional users is under way.
Yang Zhihui, head of the BMDRC environment and resources utilization division, says the 5 million CFLs could save 200 million KW/h of power a year and around 120 million yuan in electricity bills.
The government subsidies would be recovered in six months, Yang says.
More importantly, 84,000 tons of coal could be saved and carbon dioxide emissions cut by 226,200 tons every year. It would also lead to an annual cut of 6,200 tons in sulfur dioxide emissions, 61,700 tons in carbon dust and 3,100 tons in nitrogen oxide, all helping to improve air quality in the capital, says Lin Wenjie, another official with the division.
The CFL program is a national effort to increase energy-efficient light bulb use by 50 million a year, as part of the government's nationwide campaign for energy conservation and emissions reduction.
On Saturday, the State Council, or Cabinet, released a circular to promote the campaign. Major measures include:
-- activities to simulate energy shortages to enhance awareness of energy conservation;
-- one day off the roads each week for official vehicles;
-- air conditioner temperature limits in public buildings -- a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius in summer and no higher than 20 degrees in winter;
-- reduced use of elevators and escalators;
-- controls on street and landscape lamps;
-- promoting the use of reusable shopping bags and discouraging the use of disposable products;
-- relaxations of work dress codes to allow cooler clothing in summer.
Last month, Premier Wen Jiabao presided over a State Council executive meeting on energy conservation and emissions reduction, where it was agreed that energy saving was the common responsibility for all Chinese and the promotion of energy-efficient lifestyles was imperative.
The concepts of energy conservation and environmental protection have begun to sink into public awareness, notably after top government leaders were photographed in short-sleeved shirts, instead of suits, last summer.
On Wednesday, 100,000 wrist bands embroidered with eight Chinese characters meaning "energy conservation and emissions reduction -- actions by all people" were given to Olympic volunteers to raise pubic awareness.
"When more people see energy conservation and environment protection as part of their lifestyles, the efforts will pay off greatly," says Yunnan provincial government energy conservation official Ma Liangju.
In Tianjin to the north, 100,000 college students and volunteers helped collect rubbish along the Haihe River. Senior citizens in the northeast Liaoning Province handed out fabric shopping bags. In the southwest city of Kunming, college students campaigned against disposable chopsticks.
Businesses are acting too. China Mobile, China's biggest mobile telecommunications company, has begun a "green packaging" scheme, aiming to cut consumption of timber by 57,000 cubic meters a year and fuel oil by 1.37 million liters, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 120,000 tons.
The government wants to cut the energy intensity index (measured by energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP) by 20 percent from 2005 to 2010, or 4 percent a year, and pollutants discharges by 10 percent by 2010.
The government has allocated 41.8 billion yuan to the cause this year.
But, says Xie Zhenhua, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), only a quarter of the goals were met in the past two years. To achieve the 2010 goals, the energy intensity index should be cut more than 5 percent on each of the next three years -- an arduous task.
In the second half, the government will continue the accountability system for energy conservation, step up efforts to phase out inefficient production, and push forward the major energy conservation and emissions reduction projects.
Last month, the NDRC revealed that seven of the China's 30 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions failed to meet annual energy conservation targets.
Xie said the leadership of the local governments would be called to account for their failures.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08...t_6899339_3.htm
2008-08-02
BEIJING - He Xin, 65, a pensioner living in Beijing's Jianguomen area, is fitting compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in all her rooms after receiving five 1-yuan (14.6 US cents) CFLs from her neighborhood committee.
"A CFL costs more than a traditional fluorescent bulb, but it lasts much longer and saves a lot of energy," He says.
The government-subsidized program allows each urban household in Beijing to buy five CFLs for 1 yuan, 10 percent of the wholesale price. Additional CFLs can be bought for 40 percent of the shop price.
"The program raises awareness of energy conservation and environmental protection. We can all help stop climate change," says He.
The Beijing government aimed to sell 5 million 1-yuan CFLs from June 15 till the Olympics, with an estimated 50 million yuan in subsidies.
The energy conservation and environmental protection center under the Municipal Development and Reform Commission (BMDRC) says the 3.6 million CFLs intended for 477 communities in Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen and Xuanwu districts are sold out, and distribution of the remaining 1.4 million for institutional users is under way.
Yang Zhihui, head of the BMDRC environment and resources utilization division, says the 5 million CFLs could save 200 million KW/h of power a year and around 120 million yuan in electricity bills.
The government subsidies would be recovered in six months, Yang says.
More importantly, 84,000 tons of coal could be saved and carbon dioxide emissions cut by 226,200 tons every year. It would also lead to an annual cut of 6,200 tons in sulfur dioxide emissions, 61,700 tons in carbon dust and 3,100 tons in nitrogen oxide, all helping to improve air quality in the capital, says Lin Wenjie, another official with the division.
The CFL program is a national effort to increase energy-efficient light bulb use by 50 million a year, as part of the government's nationwide campaign for energy conservation and emissions reduction.
On Saturday, the State Council, or Cabinet, released a circular to promote the campaign. Major measures include:
-- activities to simulate energy shortages to enhance awareness of energy conservation;
-- one day off the roads each week for official vehicles;
-- air conditioner temperature limits in public buildings -- a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius in summer and no higher than 20 degrees in winter;
-- reduced use of elevators and escalators;
-- controls on street and landscape lamps;
-- promoting the use of reusable shopping bags and discouraging the use of disposable products;
-- relaxations of work dress codes to allow cooler clothing in summer.
Last month, Premier Wen Jiabao presided over a State Council executive meeting on energy conservation and emissions reduction, where it was agreed that energy saving was the common responsibility for all Chinese and the promotion of energy-efficient lifestyles was imperative.
The concepts of energy conservation and environmental protection have begun to sink into public awareness, notably after top government leaders were photographed in short-sleeved shirts, instead of suits, last summer.
On Wednesday, 100,000 wrist bands embroidered with eight Chinese characters meaning "energy conservation and emissions reduction -- actions by all people" were given to Olympic volunteers to raise pubic awareness.
"When more people see energy conservation and environment protection as part of their lifestyles, the efforts will pay off greatly," says Yunnan provincial government energy conservation official Ma Liangju.
In Tianjin to the north, 100,000 college students and volunteers helped collect rubbish along the Haihe River. Senior citizens in the northeast Liaoning Province handed out fabric shopping bags. In the southwest city of Kunming, college students campaigned against disposable chopsticks.
Businesses are acting too. China Mobile, China's biggest mobile telecommunications company, has begun a "green packaging" scheme, aiming to cut consumption of timber by 57,000 cubic meters a year and fuel oil by 1.37 million liters, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 120,000 tons.
The government wants to cut the energy intensity index (measured by energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP) by 20 percent from 2005 to 2010, or 4 percent a year, and pollutants discharges by 10 percent by 2010.
The government has allocated 41.8 billion yuan to the cause this year.
But, says Xie Zhenhua, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), only a quarter of the goals were met in the past two years. To achieve the 2010 goals, the energy intensity index should be cut more than 5 percent on each of the next three years -- an arduous task.
In the second half, the government will continue the accountability system for energy conservation, step up efforts to phase out inefficient production, and push forward the major energy conservation and emissions reduction projects.
Last month, the NDRC revealed that seven of the China's 30 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions failed to meet annual energy conservation targets.
Xie said the leadership of the local governments would be called to account for their failures.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08...t_6899339_3.htm
Report: China is world’s leading renewable-energy producer
08.03.08
A report from the Climate Group found that China leads the world in installed renewable energy and is overtaking more developed countries in developing sustainable technologies.
The Climate Group, a nonprofit group backed by a several large corporations and regional and local governments around the world, found that China has reached 152 gigawatts of up-and-running renewable energy capacity, thanks to the world’s largest hydroelectric capacity and the fifth-largest wind-power capacity. The country plans to double its renewable energy output to 15 per cent by 2020.
According to the Department of Energy, the United States renewable capacity in 2006 was about 101 gigawatts, or 7 percent of total output.
China is also a major exporter of renewable-energy technologies. It is second only to Japan in output of solar photovoltaic technology, and its output has doubled for each of the past four years. According to the report, China will become the world’s leading exporter of wind turbines by 2009. It is also becoming a leader in solar water heaters, energy-efficient appliances, and rechargeable batteries.
The country has also introduced automobile fuel-efficiency standards that are 40 percent higher than those in the United States.
The report says that investment in renewable energy in China reached about $12 billion in 2007, making it second only to Germany.
Of course, by most measures, China is also the world’s biggest polluter. The country’s 1.3 billion citizens collectively emit 24 percent of global carbon emissions, more than any other country. According to an NPR report last year, 70 percent of China’s energy comes from coal-fired power plants, which not only emit more carbon dioxide than petroleum and natural gas, but also soot, mercury, and radioactive trace elements, all of which are toxic to humans and other animals. China plans to build 500 additional coal-fired power plants in the next decade.
Still, the country’s per capita emissions are only about a quarter of those of the United States. And some have argued that a portion of China’s emissions – the Climate Group says 24 percent – are produced in the manufacture of goods for export and are therefore due to the consumption of Chinese goods by the West.
The Guardian quotes Chanhua Wu, Greater China director at the Climate Group, who says that China still has some challenges ahead: To avoid dangerous climate change, it must peak in greenhouse emissions no later than 2020, and it must reach an emissions goal of no greater than two tons per capita by 2050.
“The jury is still out on whether China and the other countries can reach these challenging targets, but the evidence [in the report] shows that China has already stared on a trajectory to becoming an important global hub for low carbon investment, innovation and growth in the coming decades,” said Wu.
“I believe China will no longer be a developing country following where others have led, but a pioneer leading the way.”
http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/...nergy-producer/
08.03.08
A report from the Climate Group found that China leads the world in installed renewable energy and is overtaking more developed countries in developing sustainable technologies.
The Climate Group, a nonprofit group backed by a several large corporations and regional and local governments around the world, found that China has reached 152 gigawatts of up-and-running renewable energy capacity, thanks to the world’s largest hydroelectric capacity and the fifth-largest wind-power capacity. The country plans to double its renewable energy output to 15 per cent by 2020.
According to the Department of Energy, the United States renewable capacity in 2006 was about 101 gigawatts, or 7 percent of total output.
China is also a major exporter of renewable-energy technologies. It is second only to Japan in output of solar photovoltaic technology, and its output has doubled for each of the past four years. According to the report, China will become the world’s leading exporter of wind turbines by 2009. It is also becoming a leader in solar water heaters, energy-efficient appliances, and rechargeable batteries.
The country has also introduced automobile fuel-efficiency standards that are 40 percent higher than those in the United States.
The report says that investment in renewable energy in China reached about $12 billion in 2007, making it second only to Germany.
Of course, by most measures, China is also the world’s biggest polluter. The country’s 1.3 billion citizens collectively emit 24 percent of global carbon emissions, more than any other country. According to an NPR report last year, 70 percent of China’s energy comes from coal-fired power plants, which not only emit more carbon dioxide than petroleum and natural gas, but also soot, mercury, and radioactive trace elements, all of which are toxic to humans and other animals. China plans to build 500 additional coal-fired power plants in the next decade.
Still, the country’s per capita emissions are only about a quarter of those of the United States. And some have argued that a portion of China’s emissions – the Climate Group says 24 percent – are produced in the manufacture of goods for export and are therefore due to the consumption of Chinese goods by the West.
The Guardian quotes Chanhua Wu, Greater China director at the Climate Group, who says that China still has some challenges ahead: To avoid dangerous climate change, it must peak in greenhouse emissions no later than 2020, and it must reach an emissions goal of no greater than two tons per capita by 2050.
“The jury is still out on whether China and the other countries can reach these challenging targets, but the evidence [in the report] shows that China has already stared on a trajectory to becoming an important global hub for low carbon investment, innovation and growth in the coming decades,” said Wu.
“I believe China will no longer be a developing country following where others have led, but a pioneer leading the way.”
http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/...nergy-producer/
China and renewable energy
September 09, 2008
The facts cited as follows will evidently confirm the report released last month by the Climate Group that China is the world's leading producer of energy from renewable sources and is on the way to overtaking developed countries in creating clean technologies.
In 2007, China led the world in terms of installed renewable capacity at 152 gigawatts.
In 2007, investment in renewable energy in China amounted to $10.8 billion, up 91 percent over the year before, excluding the investment in its giant hydro power projects.
In 2007, China's investment in renewable energy projects totaled $ 12 billion, almost level with world leader Germany as a percentage of GDP.
In 2009, China is expected to lead the world in its total investment in renewable energy.
Li Junfeng, vice director of Energy Studies Institute affiliated to State Development and Reform Commission, was quoted recently as saying that in terms of the overall scale of renewable energy development, China has already led the way. Calculated in a more calibrated way, he said, China's total installed renewable capacity has taken the lead in the world, in which installed capacity of mini-sized hydro power projects takes up a half of the world's total.
Additionally, despite its coal-dependent economy, China has become a world leader in the manufacture of solar photovoltaic technology, with its six biggest solar companies having a combined value of over $ 15 billion. Around 820 megawatts of solar PV were produced in China in 2007, second only to Japan. In the next year, China will also become the world' leading exporter of wind turbines and it is also highly competitive in solar water heaters, energy efficient home appliances, and rechargeable batteries.
It is manifest to all that supportive government policies investing billions of dollars in energy efficiency and renewables are driving huge levels of innovation in China, and the preparatory work for hosing a ‘Green Olympics' has provided the governments at different levels with a golden momentum to develop and expand the renewable energy industries, and accordingly the concept of ‘Green Olympics' has also greatly enhanced the nationwide awareness of energy preservation and emission reduction, which acts as a strong impetus to resort to energies form renewable sources.
Currently, energy crisis featuring the severe shortage of fossil fuels and inflated prices has endangered the entire world. The development of renewable energy is placed at the top of agendas for almost all the governments when outlining their future energy strategies, to which China is no exception.
‘The development of renewable energy in China is still facing the limitations in technological input and research abilities, as is often seen in the development of other industries. Therefore, international cooperation plays an important role in China's technological development, as regards developing renewable energy' observed Mr. Li Junfeng.
While China is a pioneer leading the way in renewable energy projects, the relevant authorities remain considerably prudent, ‘we are not supposed to be unduely optimistic, despite the positive news,' they claimed. Mr.Li also echoed this saying, ‘many of our core technologies applied to the development of renewable energy come from foreign countries, and thereby the development level is still subject to others. Besides, the costs are still high. China's relevant authorities and manufacturers will have to further shore up their input in research and development of renewables.'
On this basis, China is expected to be not only the biggest manufacturer of renewable energy, but also a real giant in researching, developing and consuming energy from renewable sources in the foreseeable future.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90780/91344/6496247.html
September 09, 2008
The facts cited as follows will evidently confirm the report released last month by the Climate Group that China is the world's leading producer of energy from renewable sources and is on the way to overtaking developed countries in creating clean technologies.
In 2007, China led the world in terms of installed renewable capacity at 152 gigawatts.
In 2007, investment in renewable energy in China amounted to $10.8 billion, up 91 percent over the year before, excluding the investment in its giant hydro power projects.
In 2007, China's investment in renewable energy projects totaled $ 12 billion, almost level with world leader Germany as a percentage of GDP.
In 2009, China is expected to lead the world in its total investment in renewable energy.
Li Junfeng, vice director of Energy Studies Institute affiliated to State Development and Reform Commission, was quoted recently as saying that in terms of the overall scale of renewable energy development, China has already led the way. Calculated in a more calibrated way, he said, China's total installed renewable capacity has taken the lead in the world, in which installed capacity of mini-sized hydro power projects takes up a half of the world's total.
Additionally, despite its coal-dependent economy, China has become a world leader in the manufacture of solar photovoltaic technology, with its six biggest solar companies having a combined value of over $ 15 billion. Around 820 megawatts of solar PV were produced in China in 2007, second only to Japan. In the next year, China will also become the world' leading exporter of wind turbines and it is also highly competitive in solar water heaters, energy efficient home appliances, and rechargeable batteries.
It is manifest to all that supportive government policies investing billions of dollars in energy efficiency and renewables are driving huge levels of innovation in China, and the preparatory work for hosing a ‘Green Olympics' has provided the governments at different levels with a golden momentum to develop and expand the renewable energy industries, and accordingly the concept of ‘Green Olympics' has also greatly enhanced the nationwide awareness of energy preservation and emission reduction, which acts as a strong impetus to resort to energies form renewable sources.
Currently, energy crisis featuring the severe shortage of fossil fuels and inflated prices has endangered the entire world. The development of renewable energy is placed at the top of agendas for almost all the governments when outlining their future energy strategies, to which China is no exception.
‘The development of renewable energy in China is still facing the limitations in technological input and research abilities, as is often seen in the development of other industries. Therefore, international cooperation plays an important role in China's technological development, as regards developing renewable energy' observed Mr. Li Junfeng.
While China is a pioneer leading the way in renewable energy projects, the relevant authorities remain considerably prudent, ‘we are not supposed to be unduely optimistic, despite the positive news,' they claimed. Mr.Li also echoed this saying, ‘many of our core technologies applied to the development of renewable energy come from foreign countries, and thereby the development level is still subject to others. Besides, the costs are still high. China's relevant authorities and manufacturers will have to further shore up their input in research and development of renewables.'
On this basis, China is expected to be not only the biggest manufacturer of renewable energy, but also a real giant in researching, developing and consuming energy from renewable sources in the foreseeable future.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90780/91344/6496247.html
China offers research subsidy to wind turbine firms
Mon Sep 1, 2008
BEIJING (Reuters) - China plans to offer a small subsidy to domestic firms that develop new wind turbines in a bid to support home-grown innovation, industry regulations published by the Finance Ministry showed.
Chinese wind turbine makers can get a payout of 600 yuan ($87.79) per kilowatt for the first 50 units they produce of any new turbine with capacity of 1 megawatt or more, the regulations said.
The subsidy should be shared equally between manufacturers of key parts and the companies that assemble the finished product, according to the ministry Web site (www.mof.gov.cn).
Only turbine manufacturers with majority Chinese ownership will be eligible for the support, which is designed to foster domestic technology development.
"The funds should be used specifically for the expenses associated with the research and development of new wind power equipment," the regulations said.
The industry is growing fast as Beijing rushes to boost use of clean energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
By the end of this year China's installed wind power generating capacity is expected to top 10 gigawatts (GW), the official target for the end of the decade, the vice-president of the Chinese wind energy association said in January.
It is also expected to be the top wind turbine producer next year, with local content regulations that require 70 percent of wind turbine parts to be manufactured in China giving Chinese contenders a massive boost.
But as turbine manufacturers proliferate to cash in on the new market, wind farm developers say they have faced quality issues with some products from less experienced manufacturers.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentN...EK3135420080901
Mon Sep 1, 2008
BEIJING (Reuters) - China plans to offer a small subsidy to domestic firms that develop new wind turbines in a bid to support home-grown innovation, industry regulations published by the Finance Ministry showed.
Chinese wind turbine makers can get a payout of 600 yuan ($87.79) per kilowatt for the first 50 units they produce of any new turbine with capacity of 1 megawatt or more, the regulations said.
The subsidy should be shared equally between manufacturers of key parts and the companies that assemble the finished product, according to the ministry Web site (www.mof.gov.cn).
Only turbine manufacturers with majority Chinese ownership will be eligible for the support, which is designed to foster domestic technology development.
"The funds should be used specifically for the expenses associated with the research and development of new wind power equipment," the regulations said.
The industry is growing fast as Beijing rushes to boost use of clean energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
By the end of this year China's installed wind power generating capacity is expected to top 10 gigawatts (GW), the official target for the end of the decade, the vice-president of the Chinese wind energy association said in January.
It is also expected to be the top wind turbine producer next year, with local content regulations that require 70 percent of wind turbine parts to be manufactured in China giving Chinese contenders a massive boost.
But as turbine manufacturers proliferate to cash in on the new market, wind farm developers say they have faced quality issues with some products from less experienced manufacturers.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentN...EK3135420080901
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