Substantial emission reductions from Chinese power plants after the introduction of ultra-low emissions standards

Ling Tang, Jiabao Qu, Zhifu Mi, Xin Bo (), Xiangyu Chang, Laura Diaz Anadon, Shouyang Wang, Xiaoda Xue, Shibei Li, Xin Wang and Xiaohong Zhao
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Ling Tang: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Jiabao Qu: Appraisal Center for Environment and Engineering, Ministry of Environmental Protection
Xin Bo: Appraisal Center for Environment and Engineering, Ministry of Environmental Protection
Xiangyu Chang: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Laura Diaz Anadon: University of Cambridge
Shouyang Wang: Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiaoda Xue: Beihang University
Shibei Li: Appraisal Center for Environment and Engineering, Ministry of Environmental Protection
Xin Wang: China National Environmental Monitoring Center, Ministry of Environmental Protection
Xiaohong Zhao: Appraisal Center for Environment and Engineering, Ministry of Environmental Protection

Nature Energy, 2019, vol. 4, issue 11, 929-938

Abstract: Abstract In 2014, China introduced an ultra-low emissions (ULE) standards policy for renovating coal-fired power-generating units to limit SO2, NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions to 35, 50 and 10 mg m−3, respectively. The ULE standard policy had ambitious levels (surpassing those of all other countries) and implementation timeline. We estimate emission reductions associated with the ULE policy by constructing a nationwide, unit-level, hourly-frequency emissions dataset using data from a continuous emissions monitoring systems network covering 96–98% of Chinese thermal power capacity during 2014–2017. We find that between 2014 and 2017 China’s annual power emissions of SO2, NOx and PM dropped by 65%, 60% and 72%, respectively. Our estimated emissions using actual monitoring data are 18–92% below other recent estimates. We detail the technologies used to meet the ULE standards and the determinants of compliance, underscoring the importance of ex post evaluation and providing insights for other countries wishing to reduce their power emissions.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-019-0468-1

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