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Interprovincial Metal and GHG Transfers Embodied in Electricity Transmission across China: Trends and Driving Factors

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  • Yawen Han

    (School of Economics and Management, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, 2nd Street, Gaojiaoyuan District of Qiantang, Hangzhou 310018, China)

  • Wanli Xing

    (Development Research Center of China Geological Survey, No. 45 Fuwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100037, China)

  • Hongchang Hao

    (School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Xin Du

    (School of Economics and Management, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, 2nd Street, Gaojiaoyuan District of Qiantang, Hangzhou 310018, China)

  • Chongyang Liu

    (Institute for Energy Development of China Southern Power Grid Company, No. 11 Kexiang Road, Huangpu District, Guangzhou 510700, China)

Abstract

With the increasing proportion of low-carbon power in electricity generation mix, power generation will be transformed from carbon-intensive to metal-intensive. In this context, metal and GHG transfers embodied in electricity transmission of China from 2015 to 2019 are quantified by the Quasi-Input-Output model. Combined with complex network theory, we have distinguished whether metal and GHG transfers show different trends as electricity trade changes. Driving factors contributing to forming the metal and GHG transfers are also explored based on the Quadratic Assignment Procedure. The results show that the electricity trade change has strengthened the metal transfer network significantly, while several key links in the GHG transfer network have weakened. Moreover, we find provincial differences in low-carbon electricity investment contributing to the metal transfer while affecting the GHG transfer little. The above facts imply an expanding embodied metal transfer in the future and shed light on policy making for power system decarbonization.

Suggested Citation

  • Yawen Han & Wanli Xing & Hongchang Hao & Xin Du & Chongyang Liu, 2022. "Interprovincial Metal and GHG Transfers Embodied in Electricity Transmission across China: Trends and Driving Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:14:p:8898-:d:867425
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