Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Building Space Heating and Cooling Systems in China

Strategic Insights -

A recent study from the Dalian University of Technology has found that building space heating and cooling systems in China are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The research, published in the journal Renewable Energy, concluded that the application of renewable energy in building space heating and cooling systems can reduce energy consumption and emissions, but the life cycle cost of emission reduction is much higher than the carbon tax in China. The study analyzed two district heating systems for residential buildings and nine space heating and cooling systems for public buildings, finding that the life-cycle carbon emissions for these systems ranged from 620.98 kg/m(2) to 1377.85 kg/m(2).

Key Takeaways:

  • Building space heating and cooling systems in China are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.
  • The application of renewable energy in building space heating and cooling systems can reduce energy consumption and emissions, but the life cycle cost of emission reduction is much higher than the carbon tax in China.
  • The life-cycle carbon emissions for district heating systems in residential buildings ranged from 620.98 kg/m(2) to 743.60 kg/m(2).
  • The life-cycle carbon emissions for space heating and cooling systems in public buildings ranged from 800.15 kg/m(2) to 1377.85 kg/m(2).
  • Equipment materials production, installation, and maintenance phase embodied energy and carbon emissions account for up to 6% to 14% of the total energy consumption and emissions.
  • Energy conservation and emissions reduction potential should not be neglected in building space heating and cooling systems.

Statistics:

  • Life-cycle carbon emissions for district heating systems in residential buildings ranged from 620.98 kg/m(2) to 743.60 kg/m(2).
  • Life-cycle carbon emissions for space heating and cooling systems in public buildings ranged from 800.15 kg/m(2) to 1377.85 kg/m(2).
  • Equipment materials production, installation, and maintenance phase embodied energy and carbon emissions account for up to 6% to 14% of the total energy consumption and emissions.
  • Renewable energy can reduce energy consumption and emissions by up to 14% in building space heating and cooling systems.

Sources:

  • An investigation on life-cycle energy consumption and carbon emissions of building space heating and cooling systems. Renewable Energy, 2015;84():124-129.
  • Dalian University of Technology. Contact: X.L. Li, Sch Civil Engn, Dalian 116024, People's Republic of China.