Accelerating the planning and construction of a new energy system and building a new pattern of energy system development is crucial for ensuring national energy security and achieving green and low-carbon transformation in China. On the basis of reviewing the development course of China's energy system over the past ten years and grasping the current situation of the international energy field and the new goals of China's energy development, this study clarifies the implications of a new energy system that is "safe and efficient," "clean and low-carbon," "multi-dimensional and collaborative," and "intelligent and inclusive." It explores the new energy system from the aspects of total energy consumption and structural evolution, security guarantee of coal, increase in reserves and production of oil and gas, and cost reduction and efficiency improvement of non-fossil energy sources. Moreover, a development strategy of adhering to systematic thinking, innovation, and reforms is proposed, as well as the construction goals of the new energy system by 2035 and 2050. Furthermore, key measures for the construction of the new energy system are recommended, including (1) promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of the energy sector, (2) promoting the coordinated development of urban and rural energy systems, (3) building a multi-drive energy-supply system, (4) strengthening research on key core technologies, and (5) establishing a new energy-evaluation system. The study is expected to provide theoretical guidance and practical support for the construction of the new energy system.
Energy is the foundation of a strong country and an engine to promote high-quality and sustainable economic development. This study summarizes the experiences of major energy powerhouses worldwide regarding energy development, believing that they have achieved excellent performance in multiple dimensions such as the stable and diversified energy supply, low-carbon and efficient energy consumption, leading innovation in energy technologies, orderly and open energy market, and completeness in energy governance systems. Moreover, this study reviews the advantages and disadvantages of energy development in China and proposes a Chinese path to becoming an energy powerhouse, involving staged objectives, key tasks, and measures. The basic conclusion is that we need to increase the clean utilization of coal resources to exploit the role of coal in ensuring energy security. Meanwhile, it is crucial to improve China's ability of oil and gas self-sufficiency by strengthening the exploration and development of oil and gas resources and promoting the lacustrine shale oil revolution. It is also important to scale up the renewable energy sources and optimize the layout of clean energy sources such as hydrogen, thereby improving energy security and implementing the carbon reduction goals through multi-energy coordination.
Energy transition is crucial for realizing sustainable development and environmental friendliness; it is also vital for maintaining national energy security and promoting social equity of China. Therefore, studying the potential risks and their coping strategies regarding energy transition has practical and strategic significance. This study analyzes the essential requirements of China's modernization for energy transition, identifies the risks during energy transiton based on the essential requirements, and proposes the coping strategies and safeguard mechanisms. The results of the study reveal that China's modernization puts forward three essential requirements for energy transition, namely energy security, environmental friendliness, and social equity. In terms of energy security, China's energy transition faces security risks regarding the coal industry, oil and gas supply, and new power system operation; in terms of environmental friendliness, it faces constraints from low-carbon technologies and the supply risk of key metals and minerals for new energy; it also faces the risk of social inequity and certain financial risks. Furthermore, strategies are proposed to coping with the risks regarding energy security, environmental friendliness, social equity, and finance; safeguard mechanisms for each type of coping strategies are established from two perspectives: short-term prioritized implementation and long-term sustainable enforcement.
Energy security is a critical component of national security and a prerequisite for the green and low-carbon transition of the energy system. The concept of energy security has broadened from a traditional focus on fossil fuel supply to include the stable supply and sustainable utilization of energy resources. This study constructs a new energy security assessment framework targeting green and low-carbon transition, analyzing the evolution of energy security in 18 countries worldwide. The findings are as follows: (1) Within a diversified evaluation system aligned with green and low-carbon objectives, energy security has significantly improved in countries with limited oil and gas resources, such as the United Kingdom, Japan, and China. Conversely, the dominant position of countries like the United Arab Emirates and Russia in the international energy market has been reduced. Continued development in renewable energy will reinforce this trend. (2) A strong positive correlation exists between energy security and sustainable development levels in the context of a green and low-carbon transition. Countries with higher sustainability levels have greater advantages in the energy transition process. (3) Sensitivity analysis reveals that although fossil fuel supply remains a key factor in energy security, the importance of diversified supply and sustainable utilization has significantly increased. Therefore, it is recommended that China seize the transition opportunity by leveraging China's resource advantages in renewable energy, enhancing the energy governance system, and focusing on sustainable development. These actions will improve energy security and support China in increasing its influence and proactivity in the international energy market.
Research on the effectiveness of coal stable supply and carbon reduction can provide robust decision-making support for the development planning of the coal sector. This study examines the potential, capacity, and resilience of coal to maintain its primary energy status, focusing on the secure supply and carbon reduction perspectives. A system dynamics model is constructed to predict the effectiveness of coal stable supply, and the carbon reduction effectiveness within the coal sector until 2060 is evaluated. The results indicate that the recoverable reserves and resource distribution of coal in China are basic guarantee for ensuring energy security. Based on the coal supply and consumption relationship in the past 20 years, it can be concluded that coal supply in China is stable and secure. In the future, the secure supply effectiveness of coal will gradually achieve a dynamic flexible balance with fluctuations. Transitioning from traditional coal-dominated energy to coal-based energy is crucial for establishing a new energy system. China's coal industry has shown significant potential for carbon emission reduction in processing and utilization, and will demonstrate strong carbon-reduction effectiveness through the development and application of technologies such as underground gasification of coal and development and utilization of oil-rich coal. By 2060, the overall carbon reduction effectiveness will reach approximately 1 × 109 t.
The integrated development of coal and new energy sources is crucial for the smooth transition of China's energy system and the security and stable supply of energy. Considering China's resource endowment and its demand for energy supply security and transformation, this study elaborates on the significance and fundamental conditions regarding the integrated development of coal and new energy sources. Moreover, it summarizes the major forms, technical characteristics, and application status of the integrated development from the aspects of four scenarios: integration of coal mining, coal-fired power generation, coal chemical industry, and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) with new energy sources. Emphasis is placed on five types of technologies: integration of coal development with new energy sources; combined dispatching of wind, solar, thermal, and storage; integration of solar thermal and coal-fired power generation; integration of solar thermal power generation with CCUS; and integration of green hydrogen with the coal chemical industry. Furthermore, this study explores the key technological challenges and breakthrough directions, and proposes the following suggestions: (1) incorporating the integrated development of coal and new energy sources into national strategies; (2) formulating action goals and roadmaps to systematically support the integrated development; (3) strengthening the research and development of technologies regarding coal and new energy sources; and (4) improving fiscal, financial, and talent support policies related to the integrated development.
The natural gas industry is crucial for the carbon emission reduction, energy security, and structural transformation of China's energy system. Therefore, the high-quality development of the industry can inject impetus for the green transformation of the economy and society, construction of a new type of energy system, technological innovation, and international cooperation. This study analyzes the basis for and major challenges faced by the high-quality development of China's natural gas industry. Specifically, the weak links in the high-quality development of the natural gas industry is mainly manifested in the insufficient supply capacity, incomplete market mechanism, and lack of innovation capabilities regarding key technologies and equipment. In this regard, the study proposes a path for the high-quality development of China's natural gas industry: (1) guaranteeing the safe supply of natural gas, (2) improving the market system of the natural gas industry, (3) promoting the upgrading of technologies and equipment in the natural gas industry, and (4) accelerating the green and low-carbon development of the natural gas industry. This aims to innovate the development ideas of the natural gas industry and better satisfy the requirements for realizing high-quality economic development, guaranteeing energy security, promoting carbon peaking and carbon neutralization, and achieving balanced industrial development.
Energy transition has been a vital driving force for every major leap in productivity ever since the Industrial Revolution. The renewal and iteration of energy varieties is a transformative force that drives industrial transformation and upgrading, promotes the reconstruction of economic order, and gives birth to advanced productive forces. The global development wave of emerging gas energy, represented by unconventional natural gas, biogas, hydrogen, and ammonia, has been rising, injecting new momentums into the energy technology innovation and sustainable economic and social development. However, the existing research and practice lack a systematic review of the emerging gas energy development. This study summarizes the macro development background of emerging gas energy sources from the perspective of new-quality productive forces and analyzes the practical significance, industrial foundation, and policy support for developing the emerging gas energy in China. It also clarifies the development vision, direction, and mode of the emerging gas energy sources, and proposes corresponding suggestions. Developing the emerging gas energy is crucial for forming new-quality productive forces in the energy field. The large-scale utilization of emerging gas energy sources will change the energy landscape, innovate the traditional natural gas industry, and shape a new form of gas energy industry. Combined with the process of China's energy transition, this study suggests that the development value, strategy, technology, and market positioning of the emerging gas energy sources should be accurately clarified. The emerging gas energy should be listed as a core component of the new energy system to strengthen China's energy sector. This study further explores the key points of development from the aspects of top-level design, institutional guarantee, scientific and technological support, and ecological construction, thus to promote the safe, green, diversified, and integrated evolution of China's emerging gas energy industry.
To strengthen its energy sector and realize the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, China needs to accelerate the construction of a modern energy system, transform its energy development mode, and improve its energy production support capabilities. The integration and complementarity of multiple energy sources is an effective concept and scheme to solve the separation of energy subsystems, optimize the energy pattern, and improve the efficiency of clean energy utilization. Based on the analysis of the existing modes of multi-energy integration, this study summarizes the development status and bottlenecks of multi-energy integration in China and the development trend of multi-energy integration in other countries. Considering existing models, a new multi-energy integration model that integrates energy conversion, complementarity, reuse, and zero-carbon production is proposed to achieve the clean and efficient utilization of energy. To promote the planning, construction, and practice of multi-energy integration in China, we further propose a basic development path and the following suggestions: (1) formulating a medium- and long-term plan to support multi-energy integration based on resource endowment, (2) accelerating the breakthroughs in key core technologies for multi-energy integration to improve the reliability of equipment, (3) strengthening the training of talents related to multi-energy integration, and (4) optimizing the structure of the multi-energy integration industrial chain.
In response to the global climate crisis, some countries and regions have established green trade "carbon barriers" that leverage their advantages in carbon emissions accounting and certification to curtail exports of Chinese products. Facing these emerging challenges, China needs to refine its carbon accounting system to contribute to an equitable and cooperative global climate governance and trade system. This study aims to improve China's carbon accounting system. It summarizes the essence and construction progress of the carbon accounting system, introduces the accounting and reporting requirements of international green trade mechanisms, and employs comparative analysis to examine the differences between China's carbon market, the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and the "Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 concerning batteries and waste batteries" in terms of accounting boundaries, methodologies, and data support and quality assurance systems. The findings indicate that while China's carbon market aligns with international green trade mechanisms in terms of accounting methodologies, it lags significantly in its carbon footprint system as well as data support and quality assurance systems. These gaps mean that Chinese export-oriented enterprises struggle to overcome these carbon barriers with the current accounting system, potentially hindering the development of emerging industries. The study suggests that China should adhere to its fundamental stance of opposing unfair green trade barriers and take specific measures to improve the carbon accounting system: (1) enhancing the product-level carbon accounting system, (2) establishing a credible platform for emission factor data, (3) bolstering research support from academic institutions, (4) reinforcing data security management, and (5) improving the carbon accounting and reporting capabilities of affected enterprises.
Vigorously developing new energy sources is an important approach to achieving the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. However, the randomness, volatility, and intermittency of new energy pose severe challenges to the supply-demand balance and stability of the electric power system. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop diversified flexible resources to guarantee the system's safe and stable operation. This study summarizes the electricity demand and the power structure development pathways in China under the carbon neutrality goal. Based on this, it analyzes the different flexibility demands of electric power systems with different proportions of wind and solar power generation capacities and elaborates on the characteristics of various types of flexible resources needed for power generation, transmission, load, and storage from four aspects: peak capacity (adequacy), ramping flexibility, stability, and inertia. Drawing from the international experience regarding flexible resource development, we propose the principles for flexible resource development: supply security guarantee, low-carbon development, and economic optimization. Considering the existing problems in the flexible resource development in China, we propose a flexible resource development pathway that aligns with the emission reduction goal of the power sector and the medium- to long-term development trend of the electric power structure of China. Furthermore, key initiatives to ensure the development of flexible resources are proposed from five aspects: power source, power grid, load, energy storage, and market mechanism.
The power grid CO2 emission factor is a critical parameter for accurately calculating indirect emissions from the electricity consumption side, serving as a core indicator for precisely quantifying the CO2 emission pathways at the consumption side. This study explores the temporal and spatial characteristics of the province-level power-grid CO2 emission factors from 2020 to 2035 and compares them with official-source factors. Moreover, it integrates historical direct-emission data to accurately quantify the importance of indirect emissions from the electricity consumption side. Additionally, it predicts the province-level indirect emissions and emission pathways under different scenarios from 2020 to 2035, quantifying the impacts of power grid CO2 emission factors with distinct temporal and spatial accuracies on provincial emission pathways. The results indicate that: (1) from 2020 to 2035, the power grid CO2 emission factors of all provinces are expected to exhibit sustained decreasing trends, and there are disparities between the existing publicly available power-grid CO2 emission factors and provincial levels in the study. (2) From 2010 to 2020, the indirect emissions from electricity consumption and their proportions in net electricity-importing provinces had gradually increased, with Beijing, Shanghai, and Zhejiang province having the largest proportions. (3) Under Scenarios 1 (constant power-grid CO2 emission factors on the national level) and 3 (constant power-grid CO2 emission factors on the provincial level), the indirect emissions from electricity consumption and total emissions of all provinces will be significantly higher than the estimated results in Scenarios 2 (dynamic power-grid CO2 emission factor on the national level) and 4 (dynamic power-grid CO2 emission factor on the provincial level). The estimation results of Scenarios 1 and 2 are projected to differ significantly from those of Scenarios 3 and 4. For provinces with large proportions of indirect emissions from electricity consumption, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong, selecting power grid CO2 emission factors with different spatial accuracies is expected to have noticeable impacts on their total emissions, further leading to shifts in their peaking years. The research results can provide a reference for supporting the planning of carbon peaking pathways in various provinces and reducing the uncertainty in indirect emission forecasts.
To promote the development and application of continuous monitoring technologies for CO2 emissions from thermal power plants in China and support the establishment of a carbon emission statistics and accounting system in the country, this study analyzes the international experience in the continuous monitoring of CO2 emissions from thermal power plants using literature research, expert discussion, and technical interpretation, with a focus on the United States and the European Union. The analysis covers eight aspects: types of units applying the technology, formulation of implementation standards, measures for dealing with failures, selection of monitoring technologies, research on key technologies, support for the low-carbon development of thermal power plants, verification of monitoring reports, and evaluation of measurement accuracy. Drawing on international beneficial experience and considering the current status of continuous monitoring of CO2 emissions from thermal power plants in China, the study proposes the following suggestions: (1) formulating supporting policies and regulations while considering the characteristics of technology application and the actual situation of thermal power plants in China, (2) accelerating the improvement in technical implementation standards and specifications to enhance the guiding and supporting role of standards, (3) strengthening the statistical analysis of the measurements using existing flue gas flow meters to provide references for relevant work, (4) enhancing research on flue gas flow measurement in thermal power plants to improve the technical level of continuous monitoring of CO2 emissions, (5) promoting the application of digital technologies in the verification of monitoring reports to support closed-loop management of continuous monitoring of CO2 emissions, and (6) improving the evaluation standards system for measurement accuracy of continuous emission monitoring systems to enhance the international recognition of China's carbon emission data.
The global wind energy industry is expected to expand in the context of carbon neutralization. Meanwhile, with the continuous improvement in carbon reduction tools such as carbon market and carbon tariffs, the carbon footprint of renewable energy may impact the cost and development of wind power in the future. Taking China, Europe, and the United States as the research object, this study constructs the lifecycle evaluation process and list of onshore wind power systems, conducts parameter comparison regarding the carbon footprint of onshore wind power in relevant regions, and summarizes the change trends. Moreover, it analyzes the cause of the trend and clarifies the influencing factors. The results indicate that the carbon footprint of onshore wind power shows a downward trend in the aforementioned regions from 2011 to 2022 owing to the large-scale wind turbines, improved generation efficiency, and cleanliness of industrial production. Specifically, the average decrease in China, Europe, and the United States was 49.2%, 46.2%, and 20.8%, respectively, and the decrease was concentrated in the equipment production stage. China has reduced its carbon footprint to a level close to Europe, and its gap with the United States has been reduced to 3.63 g/kW·h. However, China still lags behind Europe and the United States in terms of industrial production cleanliness and fan capacity factor, respectively. In the process of promoting industrial development, China should further promote the power generation efficiency of its wind power system, improve the cleanliness of industrial production, and support the recycling of decommissioned wind power systems, so as to steadily reduce the carbon footprints within the lifecycle of onshore wind power systems.
Energy decarbonization is essential for achieving carbon neutrality. To facilitate the low-carbon transition of the energy system, extensive utilization of low-carbon energy technologies is crucial across various sectors, including primary energy supply, energy processing and conversion, and end-use consumption. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current status and future trends of key energy utilization technologies from the perspective of low-carbon energy system analysis and optimization. We analyze the application prospects and layout challenges of energy utilization technologies in China's path toward carbon neutrality from multiple dimensions. Our study highlights the following points: Wind and solar energy, as the fastest-growing renewable energy sources, will continue to play a crucial role in energy supply. The utilization of biomass resources requires systematic evaluation of different conversion technologies, optimizing the allocation of biomass resources across industries. Utilization technologies of secondary energies such as hydrogen and energy storage face challenges related to materials, performance, and lifespan. Overcoming these technical bottlenecks is necessary to achieve low-cost and scalable system applications. Future end-use energy utilization technologies will focus on electrification, which depends on the secure and stable transformation and expansion of electricity distribution systems. Achieving low-carbon transformation in the energy system requires balancing the coordinated development of different energy technologies while addressing non-technical factors such as market dynamics, institutional frameworks, and societal acceptance, ultimately accelerating the decarbonization process.
Considering the dual requirements of stability and low carbon, integrating clean coal power with carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and combining new energy power generation with energy storage have become the inevitable trends of China's power industry. This study investigates the typical cases regarding clean coal power, CCUS, new energy power generation, and energy storage in China and abroad, analyzing the trend of technological development. A levelling cost model is used to measure the economical efficiency and changes of "clean coal power + CCUS" in three stages: current stage, technological breakthroughs, and commercial application. The competitiveness of "clean coal power + CCUS" is evaluated by comparing it with the "new energy + energy storage" mode from three dimensions: economical efficiency, stability, and security. The results indicate that technological breakthroughs and commercialization of CCUS will reduce the cost of "clean coal power + CCUS" by 30.3%-77.6%. When the cost of CCUS is lower than 550 CNY/t CO2, "clean coal power + CCUS" is more competitive than the "new energy + energy storage" mode. When the cost of CCUS is lower than 150 CNY/t CO2, the cost of "clean coal power + CCUS" will be lower than that of "new energy + energy storage". Moreover, advantageous technical routes and application scenarios of "clean coal power + CCUS" are calculated and analyzed based on the competitiveness and synergy of "clean coal power + CCUS" and "new energy + energy storage". The breakthrough directions and technical path of zero-carbon clean coal power are proposed from the aspects of improving the complementarity of clean coal power, enhancing the competitiveness of "clean coal power + CCUS", and promoting the optimal combination of coal power and new energy. Furthermore, the following suggestions are proposed to promote the development of low-carbon clean coal: (1) clarifying the preferential technology route, (2) strengthening the research and development of transformative and disruptive technologies, (3) improving the peak shaving capability of clean coal-fired power units, (4) promoting the coupling and coordinated development of coal-fired power and new energy, and (5) establishing a high-end composite talent support system.
Heredity underlies the stability of an organism's fundamental phenotype. The complex interaction between genetic variation, epigenetic modification, microbial and environmental factors, and biological inheritance determines the phenotypic differences of each individual and those of the same individual at different life stages, reflecting the robustness and complexity of biological processes. The central challenge in modern biology is to distill these complexities into a discernible cognition distinguishing "self" from "non-self". As a response to this challenge and a growing demand for comprehensive intersection of future science and technology, we propose the concept of Flag Biology, which represents a novel discipline that, by employing the latest technology and comprehensive investigation, teases out complex biological processes into minimalist knowledges in a quantitative and characteristic way.
It is expected that fusion energy development, which is at a critical stage of breaking through energy break-even in the engineering sense, has the potential to reshape the future pattern of energy development with both opportunities and challenges. This study reviews the main progress of fusion energy research and summarizes the major challenges regarding energy balance, tritium self-sustainability, high availability, development of irradiation-resistant materials, and economical efficiency in general sense. On the basis of sorting out the common basic technology breakthroughs of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program and the supporting research activities of its member states, the study summarizes the progress of China's magnetic confinement fusion research in terms of overall planning, self-developed projects, and technical tracking. Furthermore, focusing on the Z-pinch-driven fusion-fission hybrid reactor (Z-FFR) concept, which is independently proposed by China, this study elaborates on the basic principles, application advantages, and series of progresses, and proposes a development plan toward commercial energy supply by 2040, covering the task objectives in the stages of key technology campaign, engineering demonstration, and promotion of commercial power generation. To comprehensively promote China's fusion energy development, several suggestions are given. In the magnetic confinement fusion area, it is suggest that China deeply participate in the ITER program and relevant international cooperation, overcome key physics and engineering technologies of commercial fusion reactors, promote the research and development of key components of China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) device, and construct and operate CFETR in due course. In the Z-FFR area, it is of first priority to start the construction of electromagnetic-driven large-scale scientific devices the soonest possible, develop key technologies for fusion energy, and promote both engineering demonstrations and commercial projects in proper time.
High-temperature superconducting (HTS) cables, with their prominent advantages of large capacity, low loss, current self-limit, and environment friendliness, are a new promising solution for addressing the challenges regarding urban power grid upgrades, large-capacity power applications, and efficient power transmission. Exploring the development of related industries has both basic research and engineering application values. This study analyzes the technical characteristics and application elements of HTS cables and summarizes the application scenarios of HTS cables, including super switch stations, high-current-dedicated lines, data center power supply, electrolytic aluminum and electrolytic water hydrogen production using new energy, centralized charging stations, urban rail transit, and large-capacity direct-current power grids. Moreover, this study summarizes the development and application progress of HTS cables from both international and domestic perspectives, comprehensively reviewing the key product development, key technology research, and engineering project implementation in China. Further exploration was conducted on future development challenges, including strengthening operation and maintenance technologies, overcoming large-scale refrigeration technologies, reducing overall project costs, coupling with traditional power grid facilities, and forming a profit sharing mechanism. Targeted development suggestions are also proposed. This study is expected to provide references for the high-quality development of HTS cables.
Exploring the fundamental technical problems and countermeasures will help improve the theories and technologies regarding the low-carbon construction of canal engineering (LCCCE) and provide references for future canal construction. This study reviews the history of canal engineering in China and clarifies the necessity of LCCCE from the perspectives of engineering commonality and canal individuality. The difficulty of canal engineering in the new situation is to improve low-carbon construction on the basis of ensuring reliability. Therefore, the fundamental technical problems of LCCCE focus on low-carbon security. Based on the practice of low-carbon technology research in the century-long project of the Pinglu Canal, this study focuses on the following fundamental technical problems: (1) efficient application of canal building materials, (2) efficient utilization of old and new structures, (3) multi-dimensional recycling of solid wastes, (4) durability guarantee and biodiversity protection of canals, and (5) low-energy consumption in canal construction, operation, and maintenance. A low-carbon construction technology framework consisting of “reduce, reuse, recycle, resilience, and renewable energy” (5R) is proposed to accurately address the fundamental technical problems of LCCCE. The LCCCE is still in its infancy, and it is recommended that the academic and engineering communities continue to focus on this emerging field.
Marine geothermal energy is rich in China but have not been well developed. Integrating marine geothermal energy with other marine resources is crucial for ensuring China's energy security, realizing the carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, strengthening the country's energy sector, building a new energy system, and promoting island and deep-sea development. This study reviews the current status of marine geothermal energy utilization in China and abroad, analyzes the challenges faced by China in marine geothermal energy utilization, and clarifies the key development directions of marine geothermal energy utilization in China: (1) core technologies and key equipment for the exploration and development of marine geothermal energy, (2) core technologies and key equipment for marine geothermal energy utilization, and (3) marine geothermal energy industry and industrial chain construction. Moreover, the study expounds on the staged development goals and proposed two typical models for marine geothermal energy utilization in China: integrated development with offshore heavy oil and with marine natural gas hydrate. Future development strategies are further proposed: (1) coordinating marine function zoning and incorporating marine geothermal energy and offshore oil and gas blocks into unified national planning; (2) pinpointing the distribution of marine geothermal energy in South China Sea and its overlapping advantages with other marine resources; (3) accelerating research on core technologies and key equipment for the development and utilization of marine geothermal energy; (4) increasing financial support and providing subsidies and preferential fiscal and tax policies to fully mobilize the enthusiasm of enterprises; and (5) conducting pilot tests in marine geothermal energy enrichment areas to explore the demonstrations of integrated development with other marine resources.
Promoting the application of new energy technologies in marine ports is an important way to realize the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals and achieve the sustainable development of ports in China. This study summarizes the current situation and trends of energy consumption in marine ports of China and analyzes the basic attributes of the application of new energy technologies in marine ports from three dimensions: economical efficiency, demand, and maturity; it involves offshore wind power, photovoltaic power generation, hydrogen energy, tidal energy, and biomass energy. Factors that constrain the application of new energy technologies in China's marine ports are further discussed from three aspects: technology, economical efficiency, and technological policy. Our research indicates that the mismatch between the development level and application needs of new energy technologies, lack of centralized technology-development platforms, inadequate profit models, and imperfect standards and policies collectively constrain the application of new energy sources in marine ports of China. Therefore, we propose the following suggestions: (1) establishing a collaborative research and development system for key core technologies to overcome technical difficulties and reduce application costs, (2) issuing guidance on multi-energy integration networks for ports to establish a multi-energy-complementary energy supply system, (3) optimizing the incentive mechanism for the application of new energy technologies in ports to enhance the enthusiasm of ports to apply new energy sources, and (3) improving the standards and norms for renewable energy application in ports to build a novel energy-storage supporting mechanism.
The low-carbon transformation of decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms is an optimal model for intensive resource utilization and for fully exploiting the economic and ecological benefits of decommissioned platforms. It is also an important measure to maintain and enhance the carbon reduction capacity of the marine sector. However, the green and low-carbon development process in China's marine sector is just beginning, and the low-carbon transformation of decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms mostly remains at the conceptual stage, urgently requiring practical and feasible comprehensive transformation plans based on low-carbon technologies. This study completes a survey and analysis of the current status of the disposal of decommissioned oil and gas platforms in China and the level of low-carbon technologies. It proposes a main form of transformation for constructing an offshore carbon recycling hub and three low-carbon transformation routes, clarifying key engineering implementation strategies for platform transformation, including platform safety assessment, selection strategies for transformation plans, and full lifecycle environmental protection. In response to practical issues such as the lack of regulations and policies for platform transformation, shortcomings in the application of low-carbon technologies in the marine sector, and unclear cross-industry cooperation mechanisms, it is recommended to improve platform transformation regulations and guiding policies. It is also necessary to focus on the offshore application performance of core technical equipment, optimize theoretical support for technology, and accelerate the transformation of domestic equipment. Priority should be given to carrying out demonstration projects for the transformation of decommissioned platforms to promote the low-carbon transformation process of decommissioned offshore platforms in China.
In the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality as well as the construction of a new energy system, the integrated development and intelligent regulation of fossil energy with new energy resources such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy has become a new pattern for the future energy system. The oil and gas industry is undergoing digital and intelligent transformation, and the development of smart oil and gas fields will reduce exploration and development costs and increase social and economic benefits. This study elucidates the concept and implications of smart oil and gas fields with multi-energy synergy and the critical role of new smart oil and gas fields in enhancing oil and gas reserves and production and in promoting the green, low-carbon, and intelligent transformation of the oil and gas industry. It reviews the current development status of the wind-solar-geothermal-energy storage multi-energy synergy system, the integration of oil and gas fields with the multi-energy synergy system, and the smart oil and gas fields. The study also identifies the challenges and key issues faced by the development of smart oil and gas fields in China. It summarizes future scenarios for smart oil and gas fields with multi-energy synergy: (1) utilization of green electricity, (2) new geothermal systems for thermal recovery of abandoned heavy oil reservoirs, (3) production optimization of oil well clusters based on wind/solar power microgrids, (4) in-situ conversion of natural gas and utilization of associated gas for power generation, (5) comprehensive energy management systems for efficient and low-carbon oil and gas production, and (6) intelligent collaboration and optimization of electricity, geothermal energy, and hydrogen energy storage. The core output of the construction of smart oil and gas fields with multi-energy synergy is low-carbon oil fields and super energy basins. Under the premise of ensuring oil and gas production, future development should focus on supplementing fundamental shortcomings, increasing technological advantages, strengthening application capabilities, and achieving independence, thereby achieving breakthroughs in key core technologies to form practical development solutions.
This Issue
Sep 2024, Volume 26 Issue 4