Brugia Malayi - Clark Science Center - Smith College

Renewable Energy and its Impacts on the Environment and Economic
Development in Central China
Adrienne Horne
Grid integration of renewable energy is essential to China’s economic growth and environmental health. The combination of a
rapidly increasing population, substantial economic growth, and steady urbanization has contributed to China’s astounding energy
consumption growth rate of 9.4% and a 3.5% average annual rate of increased electricity consumption. 1,2 Coal and oil remain the
major sources of energy in China, which means that at this rate of increased energy consumption greenhouse gas emissions will
only continue to rise unless there is a dramatic change in energy usage. 3 An integration of and gradual transition to renewable
energy sources would curb greenhouse gas emissions while meeting China’s growing energy needs. However, China has many
diverse regions, each with different energy needs and resources. It is necessary to consider characteristics of each region when
determining the optimal plan to meet energy needs. Once a proper energy plan has been created for each region, modeling each
regional system in PowerWorld will make it possible to adjust each plan and visualize where and how integration of each new
system will optimize energy output, economic benefits, and environmental sustainability.
We used the tutorials in “Power System Analysis and Design” by J. Duncan Glover and Mulukutla S. Sarma to acquire the
skills to use PowerWorld, in order model and analyze systems more easily in the future. Articles pertaining to separate renewable
energy resources and energy demands by region in China were found using sciencedirect.com and used to create a bank of
knowledge in order to better determine which new energy sources will optimize increased energy production in each region.
We found that it may be most effective to provide a sustainable energy production plan to quickly developing rural regions
before integrating renewable into the existing urban grid or bringing electricity to other rural communities. Although urbanization
has led to redistribution of population and increased energy consumption, the majority of increased energy consumption is
projected to occur in the developing rural areas of Central China where commercialized energy is becoming more accessible. 4 We
chose to focus on Central China since that region contains the quickly developing province of Anhui and is predicted to require
the most energy by 2020. 5 Regardless of the optimal renewable energy source for this region, integration of this new source
will be met with many challenges. Since renewable energy such as solar and wind power are variable sources, it will be necessary
to increase the flexibility of the regional generation portfolio. 6 This can be accomplished through balancing of the generation
portfolio, controlling the system load, and improving methods of energy storage. 7
In order for a successful integration into the existing electrical grid, it is necessary that renewable sources be accounted for
early in system planning and included with traditional sources in the overall system load. First, more research must be completed to
determine the optimal combination of energy resources to meet unique regional energy demands. After determining appropriate
regional needs, it will be possible to model regional systems in PowerWorld, accounting for increased need of flexibility. According
to model results, it will be necessary to adjust percentages of energy supplied by each source in order to remain efficient and
achieve the desired economic and environmental stability. (Supported by the Schultz Foundation)
Advisor: Judith Cardell
References:
1
Komiyama, Ryoichi. Asia energy outlook to 2030: Impacts of energy outlook in China and India on the world.The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) EDMC.
2
Linewei Ma, Pei Liu, Feng Fu, Zheng Li, Weidou Ni. 2010. Integrated energy strategy for the sustainable development of China. State Key Laboratory of Power Systems,
Department of Thermal Engineering, Tsinghua BP Clean Energy Center, Tsinghua University.
3
2010. China: Country Analysis Brief. EIA, International Energy Statistics.
4
Aiao Mei Liang, Ying Fan, Yi Ming Wei. 2006. Mulit regional input output model for regional energy requirements and CO2 emissions in China. Institute of Policy and
Management (IPM), Graduate University, Center of Forecasting Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
5
Ibid.
6
Bebic, J. 2008. Power System Planning: Emerging Practices Suitable for Evaluating the Impact of High Penetration Photovoltaics. GE Global Research Niskayuna, New York.
7
Ibid.
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