Submit to Sustainability Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2017) | Viewed by 83780

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Liexun Yang

E-Mail
Guest Editor

Department of Management Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing 100085, China
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Peng Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. College of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 29 Jiangjun Avenue, Nanjing 211106, China
2. Research Centre for Soft Energy Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 29 Jiangjun Avenue, Nanjing 211106, China
Interests: energy economics; low-carbon development

Prof. Dr. Ning Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

¹ School of Economics, Jinan University, No. 601, West of Huangpu Avenue, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510632, China
² Institute of Poyang Lake Eco-economics, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchang 330013, China
³ Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Interests: environmental economics; energy economics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will consist of selected papers from the “7th annual conference of Energy Economics and Management”, a large conference held in Nanjing, China, 14–16 October 2016. The topic of this conference will be “Low-carbon transformation and Energy innovation”. This conference is co-hosted by the Management Science Department of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the Chinese Society of Energy Economics and Management (under SCOPE), and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

This conference is one of the leading conferences in China for presenting novel and fundamental advances in energy economics and management for policy decision making. The purpose of this conference is for scientists, scholars, engineers, and graduate students from universities and research institutes to present ongoing research activities in order to exchange research ideas in the area of energy economics and management, low-carbon economics and sustainable development. This conference provides opportunities for delegates to exchange new working papers and application experiences, face-to-face, in order to establish research or collaboration relations. The scope of this Special Issue encompasses topics related to energy economics and management, low-carbon management and sustainability at both the macro- and micro-levels. This Special Issue will publish 10–12 papers of high quality, from the conference presentations.

Prof. Dr. Liexun Yang
Prof. Dr. Peng Zhou
Prof. Dr. Ning Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Energy efficiency and conservation
Low carbon and sustainable development
Climate change economics and policy
Carbon emissions trading market and carbon finance
Resources sustainability management
Energy economics and finance
Energy security and energy poverty
Renewable and sustainable energy
Energy and environmental modeling

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers

Editorial

Jump to: Research

152 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

A Review of Low-Carbon Transformation and Energy Innovation Issues in China

by Liexun Yang, Peng Zhou and Ning Zhang

Sustainability 2017, 9(7), 1238; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su9071238 - 15 Jul 2017

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3496

Abstract

Scale-oriented economic development in China has given rise to problems associated with high energy consumption and severe environmental pollution. Thus, the 7th China Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management provides a platform for presenting ongoing research activities in order to exchange research ideas in the area of low-carbon economics and sustainable development for China. We thank Sustainability for providing this timely special issue. This editorial highlights the contents and methodologies of this conference special issue, presenting several important issues in energy economics and management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

1126 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Contribution of China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) to the Reduction of Global CO₂ Emissions

by Tao Ding, Yadong Ning and Yan Zhang

Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 741; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su9050741 - 04 May 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5218

Abstract

Under economic globalization, with the intensification of China’s reform and opening up, China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) has continuously gained momentum, but CO₂ emissions caused by the OFDI have not been given due attention. As one China is of the world’s leading CO₂ emitters, it is necessary to conduct thorough research into the CO₂ emission problem caused by China’s OFDI. Thirty-four host countries were selected as the objects of this study, including some European countries, Australia, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, and the USA. Their CO₂ emissions as caused by China’s OFDI were calculated using the input-output model with non-competitive imports, the data of China’s OFDI flows, and their own energy consumption and CO₂ emissions from 2000 to 2011. Then a comparative analysis was performed taking China as the comparative object. CO₂ emission transfer of China’s OFDI was studied quantitatively. Finally, CO₂ emissions from China’s OFDI were discussed from the perspective of industry selection and location selection. The results showed that China’s OFDI could achieve the aim of reducing global carbon emissions with reasonable industry and location selection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

2831 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Residential Fuel Choice in Rural Areas: Field Research of Two Counties of North China

by Jingwen Wu, Bingdong Hou, Ruo-Yu Ke, Yun-Fei Du, Ce Wang, Xiangzheng Li, Jiawei Cai, Tianqi Chen, Meixuan Teng, Jin Liu, Jin-Wei Wang and Hua Liao

Sustainability 2017, 9(4), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9040609 - 14 Apr 2017

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6309

Abstract

Solid fuels are still widely used in rural China though the living standard has improved greatly. Energy poverty is an obvious indicator of poverty, which has serious effects on economic development, environment, and health. In this paper, we conducted a detailed analysis on fuel choice and usage behavior of different end-use activities in rural residential energy consumption. Using 717 household observations from micro-survey data in two counties of Shandong and Hebei province in 2016, we find that biomass is the dominant fuel used for cooking among all energy sources despite of obvious decreasing trend in recent years, accounting for 44%. Clean energy used to cook increased markedly with a proportion of nearly 50%. Solar energy is an ordinary fuel used for water heating except for biomass. Almost 90% of households rely on coal for space heating in winter, and one-third of households have space heating for fewer than two months. Ownership of home appliances for basic needs is higher than that for hedonistic needs, and usage behaviors of some appliances are economical. Fuel accessibility of commercial energy have improved noticeably in rural areas, and the high proportion usage of biomass is affected by family income, usage habits, local resources, environmental recognition, education, and age. Since the negative effects of using solid fuels, it is urgent to cleanse biomass, develop new energy, and improve residents’ cognition about the consequences of using solid fuels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Hybrid Method for Short-Term Wind Speed Forecasting

by Jinliang Zhang, YiMing Wei, Zhong-fu Tan, Wang Ke and Wei Tian

Sustainability 2017, 9(4), 596; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su9040596 - 12 Apr 2017

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 3896

Abstract

The accuracy of short-term wind speed prediction is very important for wind power generation. In this paper, a hybrid method combining ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), adaptive neural network based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and seasonal auto-regression integrated moving average (SARIMA) is presented for short-term wind speed forecasting. The original wind speed series is decomposed into both periodic and nonlinear series. Then, the ANFIS model is used to catch the nonlinear series and the SARIMA model is applied for the periodic series. Numerical testing results based on two wind sites in South Dakota show the efficiency of this hybrid method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

7750 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Dynamic Evolutionary Behavior of American Heating Oil Spot and Futures Price Fluctuation Networks

by Huan Chen, Lixin Tian, Minggang Wang and Zaili Zhen

Sustainability 2017, 9(4), 574; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su9040574 - 10 Apr 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4130

Abstract

Heating oil is an extremely important heating fuel to consumers in northeastern United States. This paper studies the fluctuations law and dynamic behavior of heating oil spot and futures prices by setting up their complex network models based on the data of America in recent 30 years. Firstly, modes are defined by the method of coarse graining, the spot price fluctuation network of heating oil (HSPFN) and its futures price fluctuation network (HFPFN) in different periods are established to analyze the transformation characteristics between the modes. Secondly, several indicators are investigated: average path length, node strength and strength distribution, betweeness, etc. In addition, a function is established to measure and analyze the network similarity. The results show the cumulative time of new nodes appearing in either spot or futures price network is not random but exhibits a growth trend of straight line. Meanwhile, the power law distributions of spot and futures price fluctuations in different periods present regularity and complexity. Moreover, these prices are strongly correlated in stable fluctuation period but weak in the phase of sharp fluctuation. Finally, the time distribution characteristics of important modes in the networks and the evolution results of the topological properties mentioned above are obtained. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Low-Carbon Innovation and Its Heterogeneous Components on CO₂ Emissions

by Zheming Yan, Lan Yi, Kerui Du and Zhiming Yang

Sustainability 2017, 9(4), 548; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su9040548 - 05 Apr 2017

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4489

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the impact of low-carbon innovation on CO₂ emissions. Using patent statistics, we measured low-carbon innovations for 15 major economies during the period of 1992–2012. Then, we classified low-carbon technology into clean and gray technology according to the patent classification system. Following the empirical Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework, we explored the effects of low-carbon innovation and its components on CO₂ emissions. We did not find any evidence of significant influence of low-carbon innovation. Through further estimations, a significantly negative effect of clean innovation was found while the effect of gray innovation is not clear. Heterogeneous impacts within low-carbon technology provide an explanation for the insignificant impact of low-carbon innovation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

3284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

GHG Emissions from the Production of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles in China

by Han Hao, Zhexuan Mu, Shuhua Jiang, Zongwei Liu and Fuquan Zhao

Sustainability 2017, 9(4), 504; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su9040504 - 04 Apr 2017

Cited by 101 | Viewed by 35826

Abstract

With the mass market penetration of electric vehicles, the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions associated with lithium-ion battery production has become a major concern. In this study, by establishing a life cycle assessment framework, GHG emissions from the production of lithium-ion batteries in China are estimated. The results show that for the three types of most commonly used lithium-ion batteries, the (LFP) battery, the (NMC) battery and the (LMO) battery, the GHG emissions from the production of a 28 kWh battery are 3061 kgCO₂-eq, 2912 kgCO₂-eq and 2705 kgCO₂-eq, respectively. This implies around a 30% increase in GHG emissions from vehicle production compared with conventional vehicles. The productions of cathode materials and wrought aluminum are the dominating contributors of GHG emissions, together accounting for around three quarters of total emissions. From the perspective of process energy use, around 40% of total emissions are associated with electricity use, for which the GHG emissions in China are over two times higher than the level in the United States. According to our analysis, it is recommended that great efforts are needed to reduce the GHG emissions from battery production in China, with improving the production of cathodes as the essential measure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Are Chinese Green Transport Policies Effective? A New Perspective from Direct Pollution Rebound Effect, and Empirical Evidence From the Road Transport Sector

by Lu-Yi Qiu and Ling-Yun He

Sustainability 2017, 9(3), 429; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su9030429 - 15 Mar 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4348

Abstract

Air pollution has become a serious challenge in China. Emissions from motor vehicles have been found to be one main sources of air pollution. Although the Chinese government has undertaken numerous green policies to mitigate harmful emissions from road transport sector, it is still uncertain for both policy makers and researchers to know whether the policies are effective in the short and long terms. We propose a new concept of “pollution rebound effect” (PRE) to estimate the effectiveness of green traffic policies. We estimate direct air PRE as a measure of the effectiveness of the policies of reducing air pollution from the transport sector based on time-series data from the period 1986–2014. We find that the short-term direct air PRE is −0.4105, and the corresponding long-run PRE is −0.246. The negative results indicate that the direct air PRE does not exist in the road passenger transport sector in China, both in the short term and in the long term during the period 1986–2014. This implies that the Chinese green transport policies are effective in terms of harmful emissions reduction in the transport sector. This research, to the best of our knowledge, is the first attempt to quantify the effectiveness of the green transport policies in the transitional period that China is currently undergoing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

3009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rockets and Feathers: The Asymmetric Effect between China’s Refined Oil Prices and International Crude Oil Prices

by Yufeng Chen, Guobin Huang and Lihua Ma

Sustainability 2017, 9(3), 381; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su9030381 - 07 Mar 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5412

Abstract

This paper employs an asymmetric error-correction model (AECM), and uses monthly data on wholesale prices of gasoline and diesel products in China and international crude oil prices from February 2006 to October 2013 to examine whether China’s gasoline and diesel prices adjust asymmetrically to international crude oil price changes. Our empirical results suggest that increases and decreases in international oil prices have asymmetric effects on both wholesale prices of gasoline and diesel fuel in China, and that both increases and decreases in international oil prices have a greater effect on diesel prices than on gasoline prices in China. If there is no change in the maximum retail price, the asymmetry results from the transmission of wholesale prices in China with international oil prices. However, if there is a change in maximum retail prices, both international oil prices and maximum retail prices cause the asymmetry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

1451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How to Set the Allowance Benchmarking for Cement Industry in China’s Carbon Market: Marginal Analysis and the Case of the Hubei Emission Trading Pilot

by Fan Dai, Ling Xiong and Ding Ma

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 322; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su9020322 - 22 Feb 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4988

Abstract

Greenhouse gas (GHG) benchmarking for allocation serves as rewards for early actions in mitigating GHG emissions by using more advanced technologies. China Hubei launched the carbon emission trading pilot in 2014, with the cement industry represented as a major contributor to the GHG emissions in Hubei. This article is set to establish a general benchmarking framework by describing and calculating the marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) and marginal revenue and then comparing the different GHG benchmarking approaches for the cement industry in the Hubei Emission Trading Pilot (Hubei ETS) case. Based on the comparison of three GHG benchmarking approaches, the Waxman-Markey standard, the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) cement benchmarking, and the benchmarking approach applied in California Cap-and-Trade program, it is found that; (1) the Waxman-Markey benchmark is too loose to apply in Hubei as it provides little incentive for companies to mitigate; (2) the EU ETS benchmark approach fits the current cement industry in Hubei ETS; and (3) the GHG benchmarking standard in the California Cap-and-Trade Program is the most stringent standard and drives the direction of the future development for Hubei ETS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

1119 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does the Central Government’s Environmental Policy Work? Evidence from the Provincial-Level Environment Efficiency in China

by Qiong Xia, Min Li, Huaqing Wu and Zhenggang Lu

Sustainability 2016, 8(12), 1241; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su8121241 - 01 Dec 2016

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4844

Abstract

This paper aims at checking the effectiveness of environmental policy pushed by the Central Government at provincial level since China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). For this purpose, the industrial system of each province is divided into industrial production sub-system and pollution treatment sub-system, and a novel slack-based measure data envelopment analysis (SBM-DEA) model with non-cooperative game is proposed to evaluate the environment efficiency of both industrial production sub-system and pollutant treatment sub-system. The results show that the proposed model can describe the environmental efficiency more precisely than the traditional DEA models. During 2003–2012, the efficiencies of industrial production sub-system and pollution treatment sub-system at the provincial level are both relatively low. Specifically, the efficiency of industrial production is not only lower than pollution treatment efficiency, but is falling generally, especially in the Eastern area. However, in the Central and Western area, the efficiency of industrial production remains relatively stable, and pollution treatment efficiency is rising steadily. The technology gap between the Central/Western area and the Eastern area is narrowing, particularly concerning pollution treatment technology. We thus conclude that though the Central Government’s environmental policies fail to solve the inner contradiction between economic and environmental systems, and they indirectly contribute to the expansion of pollutant treatment technology among the Eastern, Central, and Western areas, which is conducive to the coordinated development among different areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

► Show Figures