Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Integrated assessment of the environmental and economic effects of “coal-to-gas conversion” project in rural areas of northern China

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Northern China suffers from serious air pollution especially in winter, much of which derives from solid fuel used for domestic heating in rural areas. In order to reduce pollution emissions in the heating season, the Chinese government has introduced a “coal-to-gas conversion” policy, promoting a switch to natural gas which is much cleaner than the coal normally used for winter heating. The “coal-to-gas conversion” project will cover more than 1.8 billion m2 of heated built floor area and affect more than 12 million heat users in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and the surrounding areas. Life cycle assessment and life cycle cost methods are applied to compare and analyze the environmental impact and economic cost of household energy usage for the whole year under 5 scenarios before and after “coal-to-gas conversion.” In the three scenarios after “coal-to-gas conversion,” the environmental impact decreases by around 50% while the total economic cost increases by around 80%. Particulate emissions responsible for air pollution are considerably reduced with accompanying benefits for human health, though significant, but reduced, impacts on freshwater and marine ecotoxicity remain. Improving thermal efficiency through natural gas utilization, implementing an energy-saving retrofit of rural housing, and promoting straw utilization yield benefits for people and the environment in rural areas of northern China.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adamczyk J, Dzikuć M (2014) The analysis of suppositions included in the Polish Energetic Policy using the LCA technique—Poland case study. Renew Sust Energ Rev 39:42–50

    Google Scholar 

  • BP (BP) (2019) Statistical review of world energy. https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp-country/zh_cn/Publications/2019SRbook.pdf. Accessed 1 November 2019

  • Chen S, Xu L, Zhang Y, Chen B, Wang X, Zhang X, Zheng M, Chen JM, Wang W, Sun Y, Fu P, Wang Z, Li W (2017) Direct observations of organic aerosols in common wintertime hazes in North China: insights into direct emissions from Chinese residential stoves. Atmos Chem Phys 17:1259–1270

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Shen H, Smith KR, Guan D, Chen Y, Shen G, Liu J, Cheng H, Zeng E, Tao S (2018) Estimating household air pollution exposures and health impacts from space heating in rural China. Environ Int 119:117–124

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen QF, Yuan ZX, Guo ZQ, Zhao Y (2019) Practical performance of a small PTC solar heating system in winter. Sol Energy 179:119–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Cieslik M, Dach J, Lewicki A, Smurzynska A, Janczak D, Kaczorowska JP, Boniecki P, Cyplik P, Czekala W, Jozwiakowski K (2016) Methane fermentation of the maize straw silage under meso- and thermophilic conditions. Energy 115(Part 2):1495–1502

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devaux P, Farid MM (2017) Benefits of PCM underfloor heating with PCM wallboards for space heating in winter. Appl Energy 191:593–602

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong J, Ni M, Chi Y, Zou D, Fu C (2013) Life cycle and economic assessment of source-separated MSW collection with regard to greenhouse gas emissions: a case study in China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20(20):5512–5524

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dong Y, Jiang X, Liang Z, Yuan J (2018) Coal power flexibility, energy efficiency and pollutant emissions implications in China: a plant-level analysis based on case units. Resour Conserv Recycl 134:184–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Du J, Zhang X, Huang T, Gao H, Mo J, Mao X, Ma J (2019) Removal of PM2.5 and secondary inorganic aerosols in the North China Plain by dry deposition. Sci Total Environ 651:2312–2322

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duan X, Jiang Y, Wang B, Zhao X, Shen G, Cao S, Huang N, Qian Y, Chen Y, Wang L (2014) Household fuel use for cooking and heating in China: results from the first Chinese Environmental Exposure-Related Human Activity Patterns Survey (CEERHAPS). Appl Energy 136:692–703

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunmade I, Madushele N, Adedeji PA, Akinlabi ET (2019) A streamlined life cycle assessment of a coal-fired power plant: the South African case study. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26(18):18484–18492

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gong M, Werner S (2015) An assessment of district heating research in China. Renew Energy 84:97–105

    Google Scholar 

  • GOSC (General Office of the State Council) (2013) The action plan for the prevention and control of air pollution. http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2013-09/13/content_4561.htm. Accessed 16 May 2019

  • GOSC (General Office of the State Council) (2017) Comprehensive program for energy conservation and emission reduction in the 13th five-year plan. http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2017-01/05/content_5156789.htm. Accessed 16 May 2019

  • GOSC (General Office of the State Council) (2018) The 3-year action plan for defending the blue sky. http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2018-07/03/content_5303158.htm. Accessed 16 May 2019

  • He W, Zhou JZ, Chen C, Ji J (2014) Experimental study and performance analysis of a thermoelectric cooling and heating system driven by a photovoltaic/thermal system in summer and winter operation modes. Energy Convers Manag 84:41–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu J, Zhang Q, Jing Y, Lee DJ (2016) Photosynthetic hydrogen production from enzyme-hydrolyzed micro-grinded maize straws. Int J Hydrog Energy 41:21665–21669

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang K, Xiao Q, Meng X, Geng G, Wang Y, Lyapustin A, Gu D, Liu Y (2018) Predicting monthly high-resolution PM2.5 concentrations with random forest model in the North China Plain. Environ Pollut 242(Part A):675–683

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huo H, Shao J, Huo H (2017) Contributions of energy-saving technologies to building energy saving in different climatic regions of China. Appl Therm Eng 124:1159–1168

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO (International Organization for Standardization) (2006) Environmental management: life cycle assessment: principles and framework (ISO 14040-2006). https://www.iso.org/standard/37456.html. Accessed 1 Nov 2019

  • Johnson T, Mol APJ, Zhang L, Yang S (2017) Living under the dome: individual strategies against air pollution in Beijing. Habitat Int 59:110–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Jolliet O, Wenk RM, Bare J, Brent A, Goedkoop M, Heijungs R, Itsubo N, Pena C, Pennington D, Potting J, Rebitzer G, Stewart M, de Haes HU, Weidema B (2004) The LCIA midpoint-damage framework of the UNEP/SETAC life cycle initiative. Int J Life Cycle Assess 9:394–404

    Google Scholar 

  • Kong XF, Wang L, Li H, Yuan GP, Yao CQ (2020) Experimental study on a novel hybrid system of active composite PCM wall and solar thermal system for clean heating supply in winter. Sol Energy 195:259–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Li X, Tilt B (2019) Public engagements with smog in urban China: knowledge, trust, and action. Environ Sci Pol 92:220–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Jia H, Wang Y, Li T, Wang L, Li Q, Yang M, Yue J, Yi X, Guo L (2019) Characterization of PM2.5-bound phthalic acid esters (PAEs) at regional background site in northern China: long-range transport and risk assessment. Sci Total Environ 659:140–149

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ling-Chin J, Heidrich O, Roskilly AP (2016) Life cycle assessment (LCA)—from analysing methodology development to introducing an LCA framework for marine photovoltaic (PV) systems. Renew Sust Energ Rev 59:352–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Mauzerall DL, Chen Q, Zhang Q, Song Y, Peng W, Klimont Z, Qiu X, Zhang S, Hua M, Lin W, Smith KR, Zhu T (2016) Air pollutant emissions from Chinese households: a major and underappreciated ambient pollution source. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:7756–7761

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu H, Huang Y, Yuan H, Yin X, Wu C (2018a) Life cycle assessment of biofuels in China: status and challenges. Renew Sust Energ Rev 97:301–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu H, Ou X, Yuan J, Yan X (2018b) Experience of producing natural gas from corn straw in China. Resour Conserv Recycl 135:216–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu S, Li Z, Dai B, Zhong Z, Li H, Song M, Sun Z (2019) Energetic, economic and environmental analysis of air source transcritical CO2 heat pump system for residential heating in China. Appl Therm Eng 148:1425–1439

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu W, Ma Y (2004) Image of energy consumption of well off society in China. Energy Convers Manag 45:1357–1367

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MARA (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs) (2017) National rural renewable energy statistical survey system. http://www.sdny.gov.cn/zwgk/tfwj/stc/201901/P020190116536412536360.pdf. Accessed 24 June 2019

  • MEE (Ministry of Ecology and Environment) (2017) A work program of air pollution prevention and control in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and the surrounding areas in 2017. http://dqhj.mee.gov.cn/dtxx/201703/t20170323_408663.shtml. Accessed 16 May 2019

  • MEE (Ministry of Ecology and Environment) (2018a) China Eco-environment Bulletin 2017. http://www.mee.gov.cn/gkml/sthjbgw/qt/201805/t20180531_442212.htm. Accessed 10 May 2019

  • MEE (Ministry of Ecology and Environment) (2018b) Action plan for comprehensive control of air pollution in autumn and winter of 2018–2019 in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and its surrounding areas. http://www.mee.gov.cn/gkml/sthjbgw/sthjbwj/201809/t20180927_630570.htm. Accessed 16 May 2019

  • MEE (Ministry of Ecology and Environment) (2018c) Fulfilment of air quality target of the action plan for comprehensive control of air pollution in autumn and winter of 2017–2018 in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and surrounding areas. http://www.mee.gov.cn/gkml/sthjbgw/qt/201805/t20180503_435860.htm. Accessed 17 May 2019

  • Mehetre SA, Panwar NL, Sharma D, Kumar H (2017) Improved biomass cookstoves for sustainable development: a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 73:672–687

    Google Scholar 

  • MOHURD (Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development) (2013) Design standard for energy efficiency of rural residential buildings (GB/T 50824-2013)

  • MOHURD (Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development) (2017) Opinions on promoting clean heating in cities and towns in northern heating areas. http://www.mohurd.gov.cn/wjfb/201709/t20170913_233287.html. Accessed 16 May 2019

  • NBS (National Bureau of Statistics) (2018a) China Energy Statistics Yearbook 2017. http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/tjcbw/201706/t20170621_1505833.html. Accessed 16 May 2019

  • NBS (National Bureau of Statistics) (2018b) China Statistical Yearbook 2017. http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2018/indexch.htm. Accessed 10 May 2019

  • NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission) (2017a) The Clean Heating Plan in Northern China in Winter (2017–2021). http://www.ndrc.gov.cn/zcfb/zcfbtz/201712/t20171220_871052.html. Accessed 16 May 2019

  • NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission) (2017b) Price Policy for Clean Heating in Northern China. http://www.ndrc.gov.cn/zcfb/zcfbtz/201709/t20170925_861387.html. Accessed 16 May 2019

  • NEA (National Energy Administration) (2015) The Action Plan for Clean and Efficient Utilization of Coal (2015–2020). http://zfxxgk.nea.gov.cn/auto85/201505/t20150505_1917.htm. Accessed 16 May 2019

  • NEA (National Energy Administration) (2019) Notice on Resolving Problems Related to the Promotion of Clean Heating. http://www.nea.gov.cn/2019-07/03/c_138195454.htm. Accessed 8 July 2019

  • Owsianiak M, Laurent A, Bjorn A, Hauschild MZ (2014) IMPACT 2002+, ReCiPe 2008 and ILCD’s recommended practice for characterization modelling in life cycle impact assessment: a case study-based comparison. Int J Life Cycle Assess 19:1007–1021

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Radic S, Medunic G, Kuharic Z, Roje V, Maldini VV, Krivohlavek A (2018) The effect of hazardous pollutants from coal combustion activity: phytotoxicity assessment of aqueous soil extracts. Chemosphere 199:191–200

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SAC (Standardization Administration of the P.R.C.) (2015a) Test method for household coal and stove (GB/T 6412-2015)

  • SAC (Standardization Administration of the P.R.C.) (2015b) Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and energy efficiency grades for domestic gas instantaneous water heaters and gas fired heating and hot water combi-boilers (GB 20665-2015)

  • Santos HCM, Maranduba HL, Neto JAD, Rodrigues LB (2017) Life cycle assessment of cheese production process in a small-sized dairy industry in Brazil. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24(4):3740–3482

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi H, Wang Y, Chen J, Huisingh D (2016) Preventing smog crises in China and globally. J Clean Prod 112:1261–1271

    Google Scholar 

  • Staffell I, Brett D, Brandon N, Hawkes A (2012) A review of domestic heat pumps. Energy Environ Sci 5:9291–9306

    Google Scholar 

  • Su C, Madani H, Palm B (2018) Heating solutions for residential buildings in China: current status and future outlook. Energy Convers Manag 177:493–510

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang R, Jiang Z (2017) Energy consumption in China’s rural areas: a study based on the village energy survey. J Clean Prod 143:452–461

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang XL, Chen YQ, Sui P, Gao WS, Qin F, Wu X, Xiong J (2014) Efficiency and sustainability analysis of biogas and electricity production from a large-scale biogas project in China: an emergy evaluation based on LCA. J Clean Prod 65:234–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Li K, Song J, Duan H, Wang S (2018) Integrated assessment of straw utilization for energy production from views of regional energy, environmental and socioeconomic benefits. J Clean Prod 190:787–798

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang XL, Mai XM, Lei B, Bi HQ, Zhao B, Mao G (2020) Collaborative optimization between passive design measures and active heating systems for building heating in Qinghai-Tibet plateau of China. Renew Energy 147:683–694

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodward DG (1997) Life cycle costing—theory, information acquisition and application. Int J Proj Manag 15:335–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu F, Wang W, Man Y, Chan C, Liu W, Tao S, Wong M (2015) Levels of PM2.5/PM10 and associated metal(loid)s in rural households of Henan Province, China. Sci Total Environ 512:194–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie R, Sabel CE, Lu X, Zhu W, Kan H, Nielsen CP, Wang H (2016) Long-term trend and spatial pattern of PM2.5 induced premature mortality in China. Environ Int 97:180–186

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu C, Wang C, Xu G, Hu Y, Guo H, Yang Y (2017) Thermodynamic and environmental evaluation of an improved heating system using electric-driven heat pumps: a case study for Jing-Jin-Ji region in China. J Clean Prod 165:36–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan X, Tang Y, Li Y, Wang Q, Zuo J, Song Z (2018) Environmental and economic impacts assessment of concrete pavement brick and permeable brick production process—a case study in China. J Clean Prod 171:198–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan J, Luo X, Ding X, Liu C, Li C (2019) Biomass power generation fuel procurement and storage modes evaluation: a case study in Jilin. Renew Sust Energ Rev 111:75–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Smith KR (2007) Household air pollution from coal and biomass fuels in China: measurements, health impacts, and interventions. Environ Health Perspect 115:848–855

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Platten A, Shen L (2011) Green property development practice in China: costs and barriers. Build Environ 46:2153–2160

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Wang JM, Feng Y (2018) Life cycle assessment of opencast coal mine production: a case study in Yimin mining area in China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25(9):8475–8486

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao S, Yu Y, Yin D, He J, Liu N, Qu J, Xiao J (2016) Annual and diurnal variations of gaseous and particulate pollutants in 31 provincial capital cities based on in situ air quality monitoring data from China National Environmental Monitoring Center. Environ Int 86:92–106

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng X, Wei C, Qin P, Guo J, Yu Y, Song F, Chen Z (2014) Characteristics of residential energy consumption in China: findings from a household survey. Energ Policy 75:126–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng W, Ye T, You S, Zhang H (2015) The thermal performance of seawater-source heat pump systems in areas of severe cold during winter. Energy Convers Manag 90:166–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Z, Wang C, Sun X, Gao F, Feng W, Zillante G (2018) Heating energy saving potential from building envelope design and operation optimization in residential buildings: a case study in northern China. J Clean Prod 174:413–423

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This research is supported by Natural Science Foundation of China (71974116), National Key R&D Plan (2019YFC190208), Shandong Natural Science Foundation (ZR2019MEE104, ZR2019MG009), and The Fundamental Research Fund of Shandong University (2018JC049, 2018GN046).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy and Power Engineering, Research Center for Sustainable Development, National Engineering Laboratory for Reducing Emissions from Coal Combustion, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, China

    Yue Li, Xueliang Yuan, Yuzhou Tang, Qingsong Wang & Qiao Ma

  2. School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, China

    Ruimin Mu

  3. Jinan Ecology and Environment Monitoring Center of Shandong Province, 17199 Lvyou Road, Jinan, 250101, China

    Junhua Fu

  4. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China

    Jinglan Hong

  5. School of Architecture & Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Jon Kellett & Jian Zuo

Authors
  1. Yue Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xueliang Yuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yuzhou Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Qingsong Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Qiao Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ruimin Mu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Junhua Fu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Jinglan Hong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Jon Kellett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Jian Zuo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Xueliang Yuan or Ruimin Mu.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Eyup Dogan

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, Y., Yuan, X., Tang, Y. et al. Integrated assessment of the environmental and economic effects of “coal-to-gas conversion” project in rural areas of northern China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 14503–14514 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08004-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08004-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation