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De-carbonization of global energy use during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Zhu Liu
  • Biqing Zhu
  • Philippe Ciais
  • Steven J. Davis
  • Chenxi Lu
  • Haiwang Zhong
  • Piyu Ke
  • Yanan Cui
  • Zhu Deng
  • Duo Cui
  • Taochun Sun
  • Xinyu Dou
  • Jianguang Tan
  • Rui Guo
  • Bo Zheng
  • Katsumasa Tanaka
  • Wenli Zhao
  • Pierre Gentine

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted human activities, leading to unprecedented decreases in both global energy demand and GHG emissions. Yet a little known that there is also a low carbon shift of the global energy system in 2020. Here, using the near-real-time data on energy-related GHG emissions from 30 countries (about 70% of global power generation), we show that the pandemic caused an unprecedented de-carbonization of global power system, representing by a dramatic decrease in the carbon intensity of power sector that reached a historical low of 414.9 tCO2eq/GWh in 2020. Moreover, the share of energy derived from renewable and low-carbon sources (nuclear, hydro-energy, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass) exceeded that from coal and oil for the first time in history in May of 2020. The decrease in global net energy demand (-1.3% in the first half of 2020 relative to the average of the period in 2016-2019) masks a large down-regulation of fossil-fuel-burning power plants supply (-6.1%) coincident with a surge of low-carbon sources (+6.2%). Concomitant changes in the diurnal cycle of electricity demand also favored low-carbon generators, including a flattening of the morning ramp, a lower midday peak, and delays in both the morning and midday load peaks in most countries. However, emission intensities in the power sector have since rebounded in many countries, and a key question for climate mitigation is thus to what extent countries can achieve and maintain lower, pandemic-level carbon intensities of electricity as part of a green recovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhu Liu & Biqing Zhu & Philippe Ciais & Steven J. Davis & Chenxi Lu & Haiwang Zhong & Piyu Ke & Yanan Cui & Zhu Deng & Duo Cui & Taochun Sun & Xinyu Dou & Jianguang Tan & Rui Guo & Bo Zheng & Katsumas, 2021. "De-carbonization of global energy use during the COVID-19 pandemic," Papers 2102.03240, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2102.03240
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Zhu Liu & Philippe Ciais & Zhu Deng & Steven J. Davis & Bo Zheng & Yilong Wang & Duo Cui & Biqing Zhu & Xinyu Dou & Piyu Ke & Taochun Sun & Rui Guo & Olivier Boucher & Francois-Marie Breon & Chenxi Lu, 2020. "Carbon Monitor: a near-real-time daily dataset of global CO2 emission from fossil fuel and cement production," Papers 2006.07690, arXiv.org.
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