Large-scale renewable energies power supply for metropolitan region of China

Kurzfassung

Accelerated urbanization and industrialization in China result in big challenges of increasing energy demand and emissions. Particularly cities play an important role in decision making and implementation processes in energy transition, but with their limited local energy potentials strongly depend on supply regions. This case study focusses on the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei metropolitan region with Inner Mongolia as supply region, characterised by heterogeneities regarding infrastructures, resources and consumptions. Main research questions are how a predominantly renewable energy power supply can be implemented, based on which shares of locally available or imported renewable resources. The contextual energy scenario was built using an accounting framework constructing target-oriented pathways with a normative approach. Short-term developments were derived from a review of current official Five-year plans until 2020. Based on this framework we analyse future power systems using the energy system model REMix, applying a cost-minimizing algorithm, limiting CO2 emissions to the level of 1995 and minimum 60% of renewable power generation by 2050. We model temporally and spatially resolved load, fluctuating wind and solar power generation and infrastructural needs such as storage and grid expansion. Quantitative results illustrate the utilization of different technologies, investments in backup generation, storage, grid transfer and costs for electricity generation. The spatial resolution allows for conclusions about the power supply structure of the metropolitan region regarding generation, storage, transmitted energy and energy losses. For calculated potentials and power demand, the metropolitan region is mainly supplied by power from (imported) concentrating solar power and wind. Therefore energy system transition in cities requires integrated strategies beyond cities themselves. Regional coordination and governance are critical factors for both regional and local transition processes. Regional integrated modelling of their power systems contributes to support decision making regarding implementing new technologies and infrastructural options for metropolitan region towards long-term climate targets.