Wind power station in Xinjiang

 

Chinese delegates to a recent global energy conference in the United States proposed a global energy network to promote the transformation of the energy system.

At the 35th CERAWeek energy conference in Houston from Feb. 22 to 26, China was commended for its commitment to energy reform, sustainable development and the goals laid out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Guo Jiaofeng, a research fellow from the Development Research Center of the State Council, said the energy transformation of China will help address environmental pollution caused by increasing energy demands while guaranteeing a sustainable supply of energy and generating new growth points.
 

Guo said green energy development requires innovation in the trading and pricing mechanisms of the energy market. A modern market mechanism can bring into being a safe, efficient energy system based on clean, low-carbon technologies, which is the key to realizing the 2030 goals, he added.

The policy statements released by the 18th CPC Central Committee last October and the agreement reached at the Paris Climate Conference at the end of last year presented new requirements for China as it works to construct a modern energy system.
 

The 2015-2016 World Energy China Outlook released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences pointed out that China’s energy transformation should be based on a slowdown of economic growth. The report encourages policymakers to prioritize increased energy efficiency and optimized terminal consumption while reforming coal and oil industries and making breakthroughs in the development of renewable energy.
 

Guo pointed out approaches to energy transformation. Above all, the excessive growth of energy consumption must be curbed and the energy structure readjusted. “Moreover, we should promote energy supply reform and international energy cooperation. In particular, we should be aware that the domestic supply is the major means by which to guarantee energy security,” he said.
 

Also, innovation in energy technologies, industries and business models is needed to upgrade and enhance the core competitiveness of energy industries, Guo said, adding that the relationship between the government and the market should be handled properly to build a modern energy market.
 

In addition to energy system reform, Zeng Ming, a professor from North China Electric Power University in Beijing, suggested investing more funds into smart grid technology.

 

Pan Yuefei is a reporter at the Chinese Social Sciences Today.