Environmental Management
12.2 the management of energy supply
China case study
Develop a case study of one country’s overall electrical energy strategy (plans for
producing and distributing electricity)
Issues of changes in demand for electricity
Issues in changes in supply of electricity
Actual production of electricity
Location
Evaluation of the success of the strategy
China’s energy strategy
China overtook the USA in total energy usage in
2009. The demand for energy in china continues
to increase significantly as the country expands
its industrial base. In 2008, china’s energy
consumption breakdown by traditional energy
sources was:
- Coal: 70.2%
- Oil: 18.7%
- Hydroelectricity: 6.6%
- Natural gas: 3.6%
- Nuclear energy: 0.75%
China’s energy policy has evolved over time. As
the economy expanded rapidly in the 1980s and
1990s much emphasis was placed on China’s main energy resource, coal. China was
also an exporter oil until the early 1990s; it is now a very significant importer. Chinese
investment in energy resources abroad has risen rapidly. Long-term energy security is
viewed as essential if the country is to maintain the pace of its industrial revolution
In recent years China has tried to take a more balanced approach to energy supply
and at the same time reduce its environmental impact through:
- Energy conservation
- Placing a strong emphasis on domestic resources
- Diversified energy development
- Environmental protection
- Mutually beneficial international cooperation
The development of clean coal technology is an important aspect of China’s energy
policy. China has begun constructing clean coal plants at a rate of one a month and
gradually retiring older, more polluting power plants. China has recently built a small
experimental facility near Beijing to remove carbon dioxide from power station
emissions and use it to provide carbonation for beverages.
12.2 the management of energy supply
China case study
Develop a case study of one country’s overall electrical energy strategy (plans for
producing and distributing electricity)
Issues of changes in demand for electricity
Issues in changes in supply of electricity
Actual production of electricity
Location
Evaluation of the success of the strategy
China’s energy strategy
China overtook the USA in total energy usage in
2009. The demand for energy in china continues
to increase significantly as the country expands
its industrial base. In 2008, china’s energy
consumption breakdown by traditional energy
sources was:
- Coal: 70.2%
- Oil: 18.7%
- Hydroelectricity: 6.6%
- Natural gas: 3.6%
- Nuclear energy: 0.75%
China’s energy policy has evolved over time. As
the economy expanded rapidly in the 1980s and
1990s much emphasis was placed on China’s main energy resource, coal. China was
also an exporter oil until the early 1990s; it is now a very significant importer. Chinese
investment in energy resources abroad has risen rapidly. Long-term energy security is
viewed as essential if the country is to maintain the pace of its industrial revolution
In recent years China has tried to take a more balanced approach to energy supply
and at the same time reduce its environmental impact through:
- Energy conservation
- Placing a strong emphasis on domestic resources
- Diversified energy development
- Environmental protection
- Mutually beneficial international cooperation
The development of clean coal technology is an important aspect of China’s energy
policy. China has begun constructing clean coal plants at a rate of one a month and
gradually retiring older, more polluting power plants. China has recently built a small
experimental facility near Beijing to remove carbon dioxide from power station
emissions and use it to provide carbonation for beverages.
