Renewable Energy Development in China: Resource Assessment, Technology Status, and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Potential

摘要

Center for Renewable Energy Development, Energy Research Institute, state Planning China has become the third largest energy user in the world, and its coal-dominated energy structure implies high CO_2 emissions. The amount of CO_2 emissions from China may surpass that of the United States within 20-30 years, making China the world's largest source of greenhouse gases by 2020. Currently, renewable energy resources (except for hydropower) account for only a fraction of China's total energy consumption. However, China has abundant solar energy resources. More than two thirds of China receives an annual total insolation that exceeds 5.9 GJ/m2 (1,639 kWh/m~2) with more than 2,200 hours of sunshine a year.