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MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development

global challenges, engineering solutions
 

Zhiming Cai

An asssessment of technological options to reduce greenhouse gases emissions from electricity industry

Zhiming Cai

An asssessment of technological options to reduce greenhouse gases emissions from electricity industry

Greenhouse gas emissions, the main contributor of global climate change, have been one of the hot topics causing great concern in the world recently. China, a developing country with fast economic growth, is one of main contributors of carbon emissions. Sustainable energy technologies (low carbon technologies) have a crucial role to play in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions. It is urgent and necessary to analyse and assess the potential of technological options in electricity industry for delivering deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions in China. The main technologies to reduce the GHG emissions include: energy efficiency technology, renewable energy technology, clean coal technology, advanced fission and fusion technology. The focus of the study is mainly on the likely quantitative contribution of the various technologies and their costs; key obstacles to uptake; which technologies are best suited currently for China in the electricity industry; the technologies with the greatest potential; factors that would affect the adoption of the technologies; the challenges ahead to deploy the technologies, which can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas; and finally the suggestions of further actions and recommendation are given.
Subject: 
Energy Demand
2004-05

Course Overview

Context

The need to engage in better problem definition through careful dialogue with all stakeholder groups and a proper recognition of context.

Perspectives

An ability to work with specialists from other disciplines and professional groups acknowledging that technical innovation and business skills also must be understood, nurtured and combined as precursors to the successful implementation of sustainable solutions.

Change

An understanding of mechanisms for managing change in organisations so future engineers are equipped to play a leadership role.

Tools

An awareness of a range of assessment frameworks, sustainability metrics and methodologies such as Life Cycle Analysis, Systems Dynamics, Multi-Criteria Decision making and Impact Assessment.

 

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