A GIS-based high spatial resolution assessment of large-scale PV generation potential in China

Qing Yang, Tianyue Huang, Saige Wang, Jiashuo Li, Shaoqing Dai, Sebastian Wright, Yuxuan Wang and Huaiwu Peng

Applied Energy, 2019, vol. 247, issue C, 254-269

Abstract: The achievement of temperature control target requires a low carbon transition of global energy structure. While China is actively promoting the implementation of large-scale PV generation technology, there is still a lack of scientific knowledge of the generation potential in China. To address this deficiency, this study builds a GIS-based model with 600 land conversion factors incorporated to accurately estimate the large-scale PV power generation potential in China. The results show a potential installed capacity of 1.41 × 105 GW, corresponding to an annual power generation of 1.38874 × 1014 kWh or 21.4 times national electricity consumption in China 2016. If this potential were fully realized as a replacement for current fossil fuel-based power generation in China 2030, a reduction in China’s carbon intensity of 63–68% compared to 2005 would result, which is sufficient to meet China’s CO2 emission reduction commitment. On a provincial level, while generation potential in Northwest and Inner Mongolia together account for 86% of the total, China's eight economically developed coastal provinces only account for 1%. To achieve a maximum large-scale PV scenario in China 2030, the capacity of inter-regional transmission grids from Northwest region and Inner Mongolia to the regions with insufficient potential should reach an approximate 300 GW. Our study could provide decision-makers with the precise information on large-scale PV power generation map of China, and optimizing low carbon strategies and inter-regional power transmission for achieving sustainable development.

Keywords: Large-scale PV; Resource assessment; Geographic information system; Renewable energy development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (37)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:appene:v:247:y:2019:i:c:p:254-269

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.04.005

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