Overview of Energy resources

although this is not explicitly related to China, it offers a general comparison and criticizes the pros and cons between the different types of energy sources. Considering our presentations has covered quite a lot of material since the beginning of the quarter, i figured this would be fitting just to see the big picture..

The author, a stanford professor, discourages ccs and nuclear power while promotes wind energy and battery electric vehicles as the best currently available technologies that can make a difference "now."

http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/january7/power-010709.html

China Has Built Almost Half the World’s Wind

News item from Greentech Media.

The world built 42.2 gigawatts of wind in 2011; 18 gigawatts were from China.

see
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/stat-of-the-day-china-built-almost-half-of-world-wind/

Cloud of Uncertainty Hovers Over China’s New Emissions Trading Plans

From Worldwatch....

By Haibing Ma (and Alexander Ochs)

Describes the carbon trading system plan developing in China.

Here is a key excerpt:

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) recently issued an official notice to initiate pilot carbon-trading programs in seven regions. By embracing market-based approaches to mitigating climate change, China is seeking to facilitate a smooth and efficient transition to sustainable development. The seven pilot regions are the cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Shenzhen, as well as Guangdong and Hubei provinces.

see
http://blogs.worldwatch.org/revolt/cloud-of-uncertainty-hovers-over-chinas-new-emissions-trading-plans/

China Solar Silicon Production Curbed 30% to Lift Prices

This fairly straight-forward article reports that some of the major Chinese producers of poly-crystalline silicon (including DongFang Electric, mentioned in class yesterday), have been cutting back their output to bolster prices. Poly-crystalline silicon prices had plummeted to a decade-low $28/kilogram at the end of last year before the output cut.

Major Chinese PV manufacturers, who purchase the raw material, noted that the rise in prices lowered their margins but did not prevent them from operating, while some smaller manufacturers were prohibitively affected. Analysts expect an upper bound of $40-50/kg before suppliers re-enter the market.

Being a big-time homer for raw materials use and commodity markets, I found one inference of the article fascinating. While the pricing mechanism for polysilicon isn't entirely clear, it appears to be market driven rather than centrally set (unlike power, for example). This makes for an interesting interplay of the supply chain. With fixed power prices and market-determined prices for a key input (silicon) and the power-producing product (the PV cell), who takes the profits/losses from the fixed prices? It will be interesting to see how the industrial organization of poly-crystalline PV unfolds, and I suspect that we will see some vertical integration in the sector

David

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-16/china-solar-silicon-production-curbed-30-to-lift-prices-energy.html

"Clean Coal" asks for teamwork between China and the US

As China is building a new coal-fired power plant every week, on average, the rapid development and installment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is of critical importance to control the nation's ever increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Critics say that a cooperation between China and the US, where a lot of research on CCS has been performed, might be the only way to attain substantial CO2 reductions. However, this may stay wishful thinking, as the China-US relationship has always more resembled rivalry than cooperation.

Read the full story here: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2012/12/120213-us-china-teamwork-on-clean-coal/

By the way, today, on Valentine's day, the Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping has visited President Obama. Perhaps they have exchanged some words on energy ...?

Further reasons to avoid running in China--new study of pollution

I recall that our first speaker had shared with us a story about a woman who found out she had lung problems because she ran every morning in Beijing.
A new study shows that the level of PM2.5, the smallest solid particles in the atmosphere, is well above safe levels in most regions of China. Previous, Chinese government reported only PM10 (bigger particles) data, but due to rising public pressure it will start paying more attention to PM2.5. PM2.5 actually poses the greatest health risks and result from combustion activities (coal, wood, vehicles) as well as industrial activities.
The article has a map of China, color coded for different levels of PM2.5. Almost all of the regions surpass the level that is considered safe under the WHO guidelines (10mg/m^3)

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/02/pollution-china
another: http://www.economist.com/node/21542826

and if you want to learn more about PM2.5 and PM10:
http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/faq.htm

China 'bans' Airlines from Joining EU Carbon Scheme

I didn't realize that the EU implemented an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) effective January 1st. The goal is to cut carbon emissions and part of the ETS is a tax on flights through EU airspace. The tax depends on the carbon emissions of the flight. The China Air Transportation Association previously said it didn't support the ETS due to the approximately $124 million it would cost Chinese airlines. Now, the government has banned all airlines from joining the ETS and also banned the increase of fares or implementation of additional charges in connection with the scheme. The US and Canada have also voiced disapproval for the ETS and it is unclear how the dispute can be resolved without third party intervention.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16901106