system is the largest carbon emitter, so low carbon is undoubtedly an important characteristic of
a high-quality energy system.
Second, it should be efficiently priced and
affordable. Affordability means that the price of
energy should be competitive internationally to
allow manufacturing to compete with global
manufacturing powers like the USA, Japan and
Germany. China is now in an important period of
making itself a manufacturing power. Energy
cost is a key element of the real economic cost,
so a high-quality energy system should be able to
supply energy at a competitive price. Efficiency
means that existing technologies should be
leveraged in energy production, conversion,
transmission and consumption to save energy
and improve efficiency.
Third, it should be secure and reliable. Secure
means that energy sources are diverse and that
they ensure a stable supply for economic development, even during natural disasters or times of
geopolitical change. Reliable means that as the
amount of renewable energy increases, the
energy system has the flexibility to adapt and
maintain a sustainable and stable energy supply
for the national economy.
2.1.2 Three Characteristics
of the Energy Revolution
(1) Clean and low carbon
According to research by the Institute of
Resources and Environmental Policy of the
Development Research Center of the State
Council, total emissions of major air pollutants in
China are likely to peak during the 13th
Five-Year Plan (2016–20), after which the
country’s energy system will be much cleaner.
Total inhalable particulate matter (PM10) emissions have been declining since the 1990s. Sulphur dioxide emissions reached their highest
point in 2006, and have since declined steadily.
Nitrogen oxide (NO x ) emissions dropped for the
first time (in 2012) since reliable databases were
established and are expected to flatten, then fall.
The research initially concludes, therefore, that
air pollutant emissions have reached a turning
point. Combined emissions of major water pollutants are estimated to peak in 2016–20, then
flatten, flowed by a gradual decline.
In terms of CO 2 emissions, more effort is
needed to achieve a turning point by 2030.
According to the Energy Production and Consumption Revolution Strategy (2016–30), by
Fig. 11 Low- and middle-income countries can leapfrog the historical patterns of energy consumption of high-income
countries. Note PPP = purchasing power parity. Source Vivid Economics, based on World Bank and WRI data
10
X. Zhaoyuan and M. Ishwaran
a high-quality energy system.
Second, it should be efficiently priced and
affordable. Affordability means that the price of
energy should be competitive internationally to
allow manufacturing to compete with global
manufacturing powers like the USA, Japan and
Germany. China is now in an important period of
making itself a manufacturing power. Energy
cost is a key element of the real economic cost,
so a high-quality energy system should be able to
supply energy at a competitive price. Efficiency
means that existing technologies should be
leveraged in energy production, conversion,
transmission and consumption to save energy
and improve efficiency.
Third, it should be secure and reliable. Secure
means that energy sources are diverse and that
they ensure a stable supply for economic development, even during natural disasters or times of
geopolitical change. Reliable means that as the
amount of renewable energy increases, the
energy system has the flexibility to adapt and
maintain a sustainable and stable energy supply
for the national economy.
2.1.2 Three Characteristics
of the Energy Revolution
(1) Clean and low carbon
According to research by the Institute of
Resources and Environmental Policy of the
Development Research Center of the State
Council, total emissions of major air pollutants in
China are likely to peak during the 13th
Five-Year Plan (2016–20), after which the
country’s energy system will be much cleaner.
Total inhalable particulate matter (PM10) emissions have been declining since the 1990s. Sulphur dioxide emissions reached their highest
point in 2006, and have since declined steadily.
Nitrogen oxide (NO x ) emissions dropped for the
first time (in 2012) since reliable databases were
established and are expected to flatten, then fall.
The research initially concludes, therefore, that
air pollutant emissions have reached a turning
point. Combined emissions of major water pollutants are estimated to peak in 2016–20, then
flatten, flowed by a gradual decline.
In terms of CO 2 emissions, more effort is
needed to achieve a turning point by 2030.
According to the Energy Production and Consumption Revolution Strategy (2016–30), by
Fig. 11 Low- and middle-income countries can leapfrog the historical patterns of energy consumption of high-income
countries. Note PPP = purchasing power parity. Source Vivid Economics, based on World Bank and WRI data
10
X. Zhaoyuan and M. Ishwaran