Compared with traditional fossil energy, renewable energy has obvious advantages in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the environment and saving resources, and is more in line with the concept of green development. Therefore, when it comes to energy conservation and emission reduction, people often think of how to speed up the development and utilization of renewable energy. This kind of understanding has also led to a situation in some regions that specializes in the renewable energy industry.
While traditional energy such as coal is still the main energy source at present, the author believes that in addition to considering renewable energy sources, energy conservation and emission reduction should be more based on national conditions and tap potential from traditional energy sources.
First, the power of renewable energy is "limited." In recent years, the development of renewable energy in China can be described as rapid progress. In 2010, the cumulative installed capacity of wind power in the country exceeded 44.7 million megawatts, the installed capacity of solar energy reached a total of 800,000 kilowatts, and the installed capacity of hydropower exceeded 200 million kilowatts. All data are among the highest in the world, and they are well-known as large renewable energy sources. Even so, in the energy structure of our country, the proportion of non-fossil energy is still less than 8%. Even if we achieve the target of 15% by 2020, the proportion of fossil fuels is still relatively small.
Experts predict that China’s energy-based energy structure will not fundamentally change for a long period of time. From this point of view, in the near future, energy-saving and emission-reduction will not be enough for the development and application of renewable energy.
Second, there is huge space for the clean and efficient use of traditional energy sources. In recent years, the energy consumption per unit of output value of our country has continuously declined. In 2010, it was 19.6% lower than in 2005. However, the energy consumption per unit of production is still high, which is three times that of the United States, four times that of the European Union, and five times that of Japan. Data shows that the gap between China's energy efficiency and developed countries is still very large. It also shows that energy-saving and emission-reducing, and relying on the efficient use of traditional energy sources have great potential to be tapped.
Again, related technologies have been initially available. As a coal-utilizing country, we have made great strides in coal processing, coal chemical and supercritical technologies, carbon dioxide capture, and storage technologies. At present, the most important issues to be solved are the unified guidance of macroeconomic policies, coordination among industries, and the promotion of new technologies in an all-round way. When these tasks are done, they will have lower costs, newer energy costs, and more significant results.
In summary, as the main energy source of coal in China, it is not only the factor that causes the pressure of energy saving and emission reduction, but also the main direction of energy conservation and emission reduction. Therefore, during the "12th Five-Year Plan" period, we must achieve a 16% and 17% target reduction in energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP. We should also use traditional energy as the "main battlefield."
While traditional energy such as coal is still the main energy source at present, the author believes that in addition to considering renewable energy sources, energy conservation and emission reduction should be more based on national conditions and tap potential from traditional energy sources.
First, the power of renewable energy is "limited." In recent years, the development of renewable energy in China can be described as rapid progress. In 2010, the cumulative installed capacity of wind power in the country exceeded 44.7 million megawatts, the installed capacity of solar energy reached a total of 800,000 kilowatts, and the installed capacity of hydropower exceeded 200 million kilowatts. All data are among the highest in the world, and they are well-known as large renewable energy sources. Even so, in the energy structure of our country, the proportion of non-fossil energy is still less than 8%. Even if we achieve the target of 15% by 2020, the proportion of fossil fuels is still relatively small.
Experts predict that China’s energy-based energy structure will not fundamentally change for a long period of time. From this point of view, in the near future, energy-saving and emission-reduction will not be enough for the development and application of renewable energy.
Second, there is huge space for the clean and efficient use of traditional energy sources. In recent years, the energy consumption per unit of output value of our country has continuously declined. In 2010, it was 19.6% lower than in 2005. However, the energy consumption per unit of production is still high, which is three times that of the United States, four times that of the European Union, and five times that of Japan. Data shows that the gap between China's energy efficiency and developed countries is still very large. It also shows that energy-saving and emission-reducing, and relying on the efficient use of traditional energy sources have great potential to be tapped.
Again, related technologies have been initially available. As a coal-utilizing country, we have made great strides in coal processing, coal chemical and supercritical technologies, carbon dioxide capture, and storage technologies. At present, the most important issues to be solved are the unified guidance of macroeconomic policies, coordination among industries, and the promotion of new technologies in an all-round way. When these tasks are done, they will have lower costs, newer energy costs, and more significant results.
In summary, as the main energy source of coal in China, it is not only the factor that causes the pressure of energy saving and emission reduction, but also the main direction of energy conservation and emission reduction. Therefore, during the "12th Five-Year Plan" period, we must achieve a 16% and 17% target reduction in energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP. We should also use traditional energy as the "main battlefield."