A Parametric Malmquist Analysis of Carbon Emission Performance and Its Dynamic Variation in China’s Thermal Power Generation

Abstract

IntroductionIn response to the challenges arising from global warming and climate change, the Chinese government has made a great effort to control CO 2 emissions in terms of both intensity and amount. In 2015 China promised to lower its carbon intensity by 60-65% by 2030 from the 2005 level and peak its carbon emissions by approximately 2030. The power industry is of vital importance for the accomplishment of these carbon emission reduction targets. As the largest CO 2 emitter among all industries, it consumes approximately 50% of China's coal and emits more than 40% of China's CO 2 from fossil fuel combustion [1]. Given the coal-dominant energy structure in China, the situation of relying on coal-fired power plants to satisfy the growing demand for electricity can hardly be changed in the near future. Under this circumstance, it is crucial for China's thermal power industry to promote its CO 2 emission performance, not only for achieving the Pol. J. Environ. Stud. Vol. 26, No. 6 (2017), 2801-2809 AbstractThis paper employs a parametric Malmquist index to measure carbon emission performance and its dynamic variation of China's thermal power generation sector from 2003 to 2013. The parametric stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) is applied to estimate the total factor carbon emission performance (TFCP), while the Malmquist carbon emission performance index (MCPI) is used to measure the dynamic change. The main findings are as follows:1. The average value of TFCP shows an increasing trend but varies among regions. In addition, the investment-based regulations and the efficiency of fuel utilization have positive effects on TFCP, while the effects of R&D expenditure and fee-based regulations are insignificant. 2. The MCPI of China's provincial thermal power industry grew by an average of 3.1% annually and was mainly driven by the efficiency change component. 3. According to the average levels of TFCP and MCPI, the 30 provinces are divided into four categories, which provide a scientific basis for policymakers to implement regional-oriented strategies for the improvement of both TFCP and MCPI.

Inequality in Fossil Fuel Power Plants in China: A Perspective of Efficiency and Abatement Cost

“…Wei et al [7], Du and Mao [8], Peng et al [9], and Wei and Zhang [10] employed the parametric linear programming (PLP) approach. Zhao and Ma [11], Zhang et al [12], Bi et al [13], Wei et al [14], and Xie et al [15] used the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method, while Chen et al [16], Wang and Jiang [17], Qi and Choi [18], Xie et al [19], and Zhang et al [20] applied the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) approach. However, these existing studies assumed that power plants are consistent with technical homogeneity.…”

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The Synthesis and Evaluation of Heterocycles as Anti-Tuberculosis Agents

“…Phthalazinones are becoming increasingly important in the field of drug discovery due to their diverse range of pharmaceutical properties, such as anti-cancer, [319][320][321] anti-inflammatory, [322][323][324] anti-bacterial, 319,325 antioxidant, 319 and anti-neurodegenerative 326 properties. In particular, antibacterial phthalazinones include inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitor 206 (Figure 5.4), which has an MBC of 0.94 µM against Francisella tularensis, 327 as well as oxadiazole 207, which inhibit the growth of E. coli and Salmonella typhi.…”