Research
China faces daunting challenges in meeting its energy needs but also a wealth of opportunities, particularly in improvements to energy efficiency. The China Energy Group at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is committed to understanding those opportunities and to exploring their implications for policy and business. We work collaboratively with energy researchers, suppliers, regulators, and consumers in China to better understand the dynamics of energy use in China, to develop and enhance the capabilities of institutions that promote energy efficiency in that country, and to create links between Chinese and international institutions. Our work falls into the following five areas:
Industry — understanding China's industrial sector, responsible for the majority of energy consumption in China. Current work includes the examination of energy efficiency trends in China's steel and cement industries, working to implement voluntary energy efficiency agreements for iron and steel plants based on pilot projects in Shandong province, and a multi-year program to optimize the design and testing of industrial motor systems in China. Past work has included a comprehensive study of China's oil refining sector.
Policy & Analysis — actively following and analyzing energy policy developments in China. Current cross-cutting policy and analysis research includes work on investment in energy infrastructure and energy efficiency and conservation; government procurement programs; energy service companies; a national energy policy assessment including the national National Energy Strategy released by the government in early 2005 and on energy efficiency policy; an analysis of past trends in energy consumption in China as well as of future scenarios; and our China Energy Databook accompanied by chapter summaries and analysis of recent trends.
Buildings — working to promote energy efficient buildings and energy efficient equipment used in buildings. Current work includes promoting the design and use of minimum energy efficiency standards and energy labeling for appliances, and assisting in the development of energy efficient building codes for residential and commercial/public buildings. Past work has included a China Residential Energy Consumption Survey and a study of the health impacts of rural household energy use.
Capacity Building — facilitating the development of new organizations to promote energy efficiency in China, and providing targeted training for our Chinese colleagues. We have been instrumental in establishing important new institutions to deal with China's energy problems; the China Sustainable Energy Program (founded by the Packard Foundation and managed by the Energy Foundation) and the Beijing Energy Efficiency Center are two prominent examples.
Renewable Resources — promoting the utilization of renewable energy resources tin China through research on renewable energy technology and policy. The China Energy Group collaborates with other institutions including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Center for Resource Solutions to provide policy support for new regulations to promote renewable energy in China, and to conduct studies on renewable energy technology industry development in China.
Through its current activities, LBNL's China Energy Group continues to provide a unique service, applying international experience to facilitate the adaptation and deployment in China of key energy efficiency policies and technologies.