An analysis of the driving forces of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in China’s industrial sector

据爱思唯尔（Elsevier）最新公布的2017年度Energy Connect China显示：2017年12月，厦门大学管理学院中国能源政策研究院院长林伯强教授为通讯作者的来自期刊Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews的学术论文“An analysis of the driving forces of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in China’s industrial sector”入选爱思唯尔（Elsevier）公布的能源领域期刊中国作者高被引文章。【Abstract】Both energy consumption and the growth of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions in China are attributed to the industrial sector. Energy conservation and CO2 emissions reduction in China's industrial sector is decisive for achieving a low-carbon transition. We analyze the change of energy-related CO2 emissions in China's industrial sector from 1991 to 2010 based on the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method. Results indicate that industrial activity is the major factor that contributes to the increase of industrial CO2 emissions while energy intensity is the major contributor to the decrease of CO2 emissions. Industry size shows a varying trend interchanging intervals of growth along the study period. Moreover, both energy mix and carbon intensity of energy use have negative effects on the increase of CO2 emissions. The cointegration method is adopted to further explore determinants of CO2 emissions in China's industrial sector. Results show that there exists a long-run relationship between industrial CO2 emissions and affecting factors such as CO2 emissions per unit of energy consumption, industrial value added, labor productivity and fossil fuel consumption. China's industrial CO2 emissions are mainly attributed to the coal-dominated energy structure. Policy suggestions are thus provided to reduce industrial CO2 emissions in China.The paper is supported by Newhuadu Business School Research Fund, Ministry of Education (Grant No. 10JBG013, 14YJC630026), Social Science Foundation (Grant No.12&ZD059) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 71472065)

Energy and CO2 emissions performance in China's regional economies: Do market-oriented reforms matter?

【Abstract】This paper employs a newly developed non-radial directional distance function to evaluate China's regional energy and CO2 emission performance for the period 1997–2009. Moreover, we analyze the impact of China's market-oriented reform on China's regional energy and carbon efficiency. The main findings are as follows. First, most of China's regions did not perform efficiently in energy use and CO2 emissions. Provinces in the east area generally performed better than those in the central and west areas.By contrast, provinces in the west area generally evidenced the lowest efficiency. Second, Market-or-iented reforms, especially the promotion of factor market, were found to have positive effect on the efficiency of energy use and CO2 emissions. Third, the share of coal in the total energy consumption and the expansion of the industrial sector were found to be negatively correlated with China's regional energy and CO2 emissions performance. Based on the empirical findings, we provide policy suggestions for enhancing energy and carbon efficiency in China.This paper is supported by the Research Fund of Newhuadu Business School, Ministry of Education Foundation (Funding no.10JZD0018), Basic Research Universities Special Foundation (Funding no.2010221051), Ministry of Education Foundation (Funding no. 10JBG013) and National Social Science Foundation (Funding no.09&ZD050). Kerui Du thanks the financial support of Yinxing Economic Research Fund

Ultra-efficient frequency comb generation in AlGaAs-on-insulator microresonators

Recent advances in nonlinear optics have revolutionized integrated photonics, providing on-chip solutions to a wide range of new applications. Currently, state of the art integrated nonlinear photonic devices are mainly based on dielectric material platforms, such as Si₃N₄ and SiO₂. While semiconductor materials feature much higher nonlinear coefficients and convenience in active integration, they have suffered from high waveguide losses that prevent the realization of efficient nonlinear processes on-chip. Here, we challenge this status quo and demonstrate a low loss AlGaAs-on-insulator platform with anomalous dispersion and quality (Q) factors beyond 1.5 × 10⁶. Such a high quality factor, combined with high nonlinear coefficient and small mode volume, enabled us to demonstrate a Kerr frequency comb threshold of only ∼36 µW in a resonator with a 1 THz free spectral range, ∼100 times lower compared to that in previous semiconductor platforms. Moreover, combs with broad spans (>250 nm) have been generated with a pump power of ∼300 µW, which is lower than the threshold power of state-of the-art dielectric micro combs. A soliton-step transition has also been observed for the first time in an AlGaAs resonator

A Global lake ecological observatory network (GLEON) for synthesising high-frequency sensor data for validation of deterministic ecological models

A Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON; www.gleon.org) has formed to provide a coordinated response to the need for scientific understanding of lake processes, utilising technological advances available from autonomous sensors. The organisation embraces a grassroots approach to engage researchers from varying disciplines, sites spanning geographic and ecological gradients, and novel sensor and cyberinfrastructure to synthesise high-frequency lake data at scales ranging from local to global. The high-frequency data provide a platform to rigorously validate processbased ecological models because model simulation time steps are better aligned with sensor measurements than with lower-frequency, manual samples. Two case studies from Trout Bog, Wisconsin, USA, and Lake Rotoehu, North Island, New Zealand, are presented to demonstrate that in the past, ecological model outputs (e.g., temperature, chlorophyll) have been relatively poorly validated based on a limited number of directly comparable measurements, both in time and space. The case studies demonstrate some of the difficulties of mapping sensor measurements directly to model state variable outputs as well as the opportunities to use deviations between sensor measurements and model simulations to better inform process understanding. Well-validated ecological models provide a mechanism to extrapolate high-frequency sensor data in space and time, thereby potentially creating a fully 3-dimensional simulation of key variables of interest

A self-starting bi-chromatic LiNbO_3 soliton microcomb

The wide range of functions that are possible with lithium niobate (LN) waveguide devices, including phase and intensity modulation, second-harmonic generation, and difference-frequency generation, makes it attractive as a potential microcomb material. LN microcombs would combine essential comb self-referencing and control functions with the pulse generation process in a single microresonator device. Here, we demonstrate a soliton microcomb in a monolithic high-Q LN resonator. Direct frequency doubling of the soliton spectrum is observed inside the same cavity. The LN soliton mode-locking process also self-starts and allows bi-directional switching of soliton states, effects that are shown to result from the LN photorefractive effect. The Kerr solitons exhibit a self-frequency shift resulting from the Raman effect of LN. This microcomb platform can dramatically simplify miniature time keeping, frequency synthesis/division, and spectroscopy systems. Moreover, direct generation of femtosecond timescale pulses within LN microresonators can benefit quantum photonics and signal processing systems

Natural gas subsidies in the industrial sector in China: National and regional perspectives

Abstract(#br)This paper seeks to investigate the regional heterogeneity in natural gas subsidies of China’s industrial sector. Price-gap approach and logarithmic mean Divisia index method (LMDI) are combined to accomplish this goal. The results show that there exists regional heterogeneity in the decomposition on the variation of industrial natural gas subsidy in China. In other words, the factors that contribute to the changes in subsidies differ from a regional basis. During 2007–2013, consumption exerted a positive impact on the increase of industrial natural gas subsidies, contributing more than 80% both in the eastern and northeastern regions, followed by 70.66% in the western region and 69.54% in the central region. During 2013–2016, the main factor affecting the changes in industrial natural gas subsidies is the pricing mechanism. The pricing mechanism played a significant positive role in the decline of industrial natural gas subsidies, with contribution rate of 367.73% in the northeastern region, 80.64% in the eastern region, 75.68% in the central region and 74.34% in the western region. Based on the results, we suggest that the policy measures enacted by government should differ in regions when promoting subsidy reform, especially for developing countries with unbalanced regional development

How does tax system on energy industries affect energy demand, CO 2 emissions, and economy in China?

Abstract(#br)Energy savings and CO 2 emission reduction have become a major issue in recent years. Taxes on energy production sectors may be an effective way to save energy, reduce CO 2 emissions, and improve environmental quality. This paper constructs a dynamic recursive Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to analyze the impact of the energy tax on energy, economy, and environment from the perspective of tax rates and tax forms (specific tax and ad valorem tax). The results show that adjusting the tax system and the tax rate has important implications for energy conservation while having minor impacts on the output of other industries. The impact of an increasing energy tax on the energy demand is greater than the impact on sectoral output, indicating that energy efficiency will be increased to some extent. The CO 2 reduction will increase over time when an ad valorem tax is implemented on enterprises. We found that ad valorem tax has greater elasticity of economic output, energy demand, and CO 2 emission reduction. The results support the direction of China’s resource tax reform. However, we argue that it is better to increase the tax rate relatively and relax the control on energy prices so that energy efficiency will increase

Economic, energy and environmental impact of coal-to-electricity policy in China: A dynamic recursive CGE study

Abstract(#br)In north China, many rural and urban residents still use coal for heating in winter. However, such method would result in a large amount of GHG emissions. China intends to change the heating method of its citizens from coal burning to electric heating to save energy, reduce emissions, which is called the project of Coal to Electricity (CtE). A dynamic recursive computable general equilibrium model is applied to analyze the real effect if the project is widely promoted in China. We found that CtE project is effective in reducing SO 2 and NO x emission than CO 2 emissions. In essence, energy substitution is not energy-saving, so the contribution to CO 2 reduction of CtE project is limited. There is a certain co-benefit between CtE project and other energy saving policies (new energy generation, improving heating efficiency and building energy saving etc.). The findings indicate that single CtE policy can only bring better air quality. However, with other energy saving policies, CtE project can not only bring NO x and SO 2 reduction, but also lead to less CO 2 emissions and more convenient life. Multiple emission reduction measures are suggested to maximize the reduction effects of these policies

Does the different sectoral coverage matter? An analysis of China's carbon trading market

Abstract(#br)By the end of 2017, China formally established the national carbon trading market, however, only electricity industry was eligible to participate in the emission trading scheme (ETS). This paper aims to answer the question as to what should China do after the first step of establishing China’s national ETS market using a dynamic recursive CGE model with six scenarios from different coverage according to relevant documents. The results show that when more industries are covered in ETS market it will lead to a higher GDP performance and less ETS price in general. Since the trading price is related to the marginal emission reduction cost of enterprises, the coverage of enterprises with low emission reduction cost can bring lower prices. However, there is no direct relationship between carbon price and emission reduction, as the coverage is different in different. There is no obvious relationship between the additional burden of enterprises and emission reduction, it is only related to carbon price and the coverage. Finally, we find that after covering the power generation industry, the carbon market should cover other primary energy production enterprises, which will bring much better emission reduction benefits than the original plan of the National Development and Reform Commission in China