Energy Consumption and Production in China

1. What are some ways to Decrease Energy Consumption in China

1.1. Although China is starting to be more energy efficient, it is clear that it needs more ways to reduce energy consumption. Some ways that China could accomplish this are to regulate factory emissions, to do air quality testing for pollution, to manufacture energy efficient cars such as electric cars, to invest in modern, energy efficient equipment and to invest in green transport. Other possibilities are to order polluting cars and motorbikes off the roads, to use more efficient lighting such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), to invest in clever building design and to teach efficient use of machinery.

2. What are the effects of Pollution in China?

2.1. The extreme levels of air pollution found in China are caused by energy wastage, overuse of cars and bad manufacturing. Pollution is the most serious implication of the massive level of energy consumption in China because each year approximately 3 million people die of diseases related to outdoor air pollution. Also, acid rain in China is a very big result of air pollution because it dissolves trees, historical buildings and makes soil unsuitable for plant growth. It is frightening that 2/3 of Chinese cities do not meet the pollution requirements and are seriously unhealthy. Ways to solve pollution include creating green spaces, creating walking and cycling zones and renewable energy.

3. What are some Planned Future Energy Sources in China?

3.1. Coal is the most abundant energy resource, so efforts continue in China to develop clean coal. Also China is planning on building an thorium nuclear reactor. Improved oil pipelines - domestically and internationally are being built. China aims to increase liquid natural gas (LNG) use, and also sourced from other sources such as CSG, deep water and shale gas. China has been increasing their hydroelectricity use - the Three Gorges project is very successful so far, but more is planned in this area.

4. What are some examples of Renewables and in what way is China using them?

4.1. Wind

4.2. Hydro

4.3. Solar

4.4. Nuclear

4.5. Examples of renewable energy include solar, wind, hydroelectric, nuclear, and geothermal. Many people believe China’s solution is solar energy. More energy hits the earth from the sun in 1 hour than what the earth uses in 1 year, which makes solar energy a very suitable solution. China is expanding in several different ways and this is proven because of the fact that China has the world’s largest plans for building thorium nuclear reactors, and is planning to expand in multiple areas of renewable electricity. China has installed so far 60 million wind turbines but they only produce 2% of the country’s electricity.

5. What is the scale of the problem

5.1. China is the worlds most populous country and now has the worlds biggest economy. 11 million barrels of oil equivalent are being consumed each day. China’s energy consumption has tripled in the last 20 years, and demand has outstripped supply. Not only this, but also the demand is expected to triple again by 2030. The overall industrial output has grown at 10% each year. The main cause to this rapidly growing problem is China’s swiftly expanding economy which demands huge amounts of energy to fuel its ambitious plans. Another reason of this is because Chinas already massive population is becoming urbanised and modern. In this they are buying cars, motorcycles and appliances such as TVs, refrigerators, air conditioning units and stoves. All of these items need lots of energy to make and run.