Energies Webinar: New Energy Research Hotspots in Energy Transition | MDPI Seminar

Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, CAS

Former director of the Key Laboratory of Resource Utilization and Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), second level professor, doctoral advisor, post-doc advisor and chief professor of resource economics at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), former vice president and secretary-general for China Society of Natural Resources. Associate Editor in Chief of journals such as Journal of Natural Resources, Resources and Industry, Resources, Conservation & Recycling, etc. His research areas include energy and mineral resources economics and policy, resource development and regional development, resource and environmental management, etc. He has led over 100 projects, published more than 300 SCI/SSCI and Chinese academic papers, and won multiple awards such as the Special Prize for Excellent Research Reports from the China Association for Science and Technology and the National Excellent Scientific and Technical Author Award.

Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, CAS

Professor, doctor, doctoral supervisor at Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS. He Obtained a PhD in Industry Ecology from Leiden University in the Netherlands. He has conducted research at Leiden University in the Netherlands, Imperial College London in the UK, and Yale University in the US. He has also been appointed as a scientific expert at the French National Agricultural Research Institute and the Latvian Science Council, as well as a senior visiting scholar at the Key Laboratory of Resource and Environmental Carrying Capacity of the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources.

Published over 60 papers in academic journals, books, and conference proceedings, including international journals such as Global Environmental Change, Applied Energy, Environmental Science & Technology, Cleaner Production, and Communication Earth & Environment. As a paper reviewer, He was invited to review academic papers from 33 high-level SCI/SSCI journals in the field of resources and environment, including Nature, Nature Energy, Nature Climate Change, and Nature Sustainability. Hosted multiple sub conferences at international conferences and served as a member of the scientific committee and scientific advisory committee for multiple conferences.

Presentation Title: The implications of circular economy strategies on the future energy transition technologies and their impacts

Abstract: Circular economy (CE) strategies aiming at increasing resources use efficiencies, extending the use of products, and increasing the recycling and resources recovery have the potential to increase economic benefit, improve resource security, and minimize the environmental impacts. This report discusses the impacts of several individual CE strategies and their combined implications for the minerals required for energy transition technologies in terms of resources availability for their future development and the materials related environmental impacts. The analysis is carried out using dynamic material flow analysis and material energy climate nexus approach.

Beijing University of Technology

Second level professor, doctoral supervisor, national outstanding scientific and technological worker, expert enjoying special allowances from the State Council, expert in the review of the National Social Science Foundation, and expert in the review of the National Major Talent Plan. Distinguished Professor at the School of Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Vice Chairman of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Director of the Green and Low Carbon Development Research Center, and Leader of the Responsible Professor of Applied Economics. Engaged in long-term research on national energy transformation, resource environment and carbon asset management, climate change and governance, and has led 3 major national projects, 6 national projects including the National Natural Science Foundation and the National Social Science Fund, and more than 20 provincial and ministerial level projects; Published nearly 150 papers in important domestic journals such as Nature Climate Change and Environmental Science & Technology, and served as the deputy editor in chief of Structural Change and Economic Dymatics. Selected successively as a leading talent in philosophy and social sciences under the National “Ten Thousand Talents Plan” of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, a candidate for the National Hundred, Thousand, and Ten Thousand Talents Project of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and a cultural expert and “Four Batches” talent of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee; New Century Excellent Talents of the Ministry of Education, awarded the honorary title of National Outstanding Young Expert with Outstanding Contributions, etc. Serving as Vice Chairman of the Energy and Environmental Management Branch of the Chinese Society of Management Science and Engineering, Vice Chairman of the Smart Energy and Industrial Zero Development Special Committee of the China Energy Research Association, Vice Chairman of the Green Supply Chain Special Committee of the China Association for Material Recycling, and Vice Chairman of the Youth Expert Committee/Tourism Resources Research Professional Committee of the China Natural Resources Society.  

Presentation Title: The Development of China’s New Energy Industry in the New Stage: Evaluation, Characteristics, and Trends

Abstract: A new round of energy transformation and energy revolution is unfolding around clean, green, and low-carbon new energy. The new energy industry in China has continuously evolved over the past decade, especially since the introduction of the “dual carbon” target, the industry has rapidly grown and maintained its position as the world’s largest for several consecutive years. However, in the long-term development, it has also exposed characteristics such as emphasis on scale over efficiency, emphasis on input over output, and problems such as blind investment by local governments and lagging consumption levels behind installed capacity construction. As a strategic emerging industry, this does not meet the development requirements of new quality productivity and also restricts the high-quality development of the industry. At the current stage of vigorously developing new quality productivity and promoting high-quality industrial development, based on the inherent requirements of new quality productivity, scientifically evaluating the development level of the new energy industry, identifying the characteristics of industrial development and the trends of new stage development, has guiding significance for promoting high-quality development of the new energy industry. This study re-examines the development of China’s new energy industry from the perspective of new quality productivity, evaluates the level of industry development, and analyzes its regional differences and dynamic evolution trends.

Taiyuan University of Technology

Doctor of Engineering, Second Class Professor, Doctoral Supervisor. Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee of Taiyuan University of Technology, Minister of United Front Work, Director of Shanxi Hydrogen Energy Development and Utilization Engineering Research Center, and Head of Shanxi Province’s New Think Tank “Strategic Emerging Energy Industry Research Institute”. Serving as a director of the Chinese Society of Natural Resources, vice chairman of the Resource Economy Research Professional Committee, and editorial board member of “Resources and Environment in Arid Regions”. Approved talent programs such as the Shanxi Provincial Committee’s “Three Jin Talents” Support Program, Shanxi Province’s “Academic and Technical Leaders”, and the “131” Leading Talent Project for Higher Education Institutions; He was awarded the honorary titles of “Excellent Party Affairs Worker” in Shanxi Province, “Excellent Scientific and Technological Worker” in Shanxi Province, “exemplary individual in the Education System” in Shanxi Province, and “March 8^th Red Bannerman” in Shanxi Province. The monograph won the first prize of the 8^th Excellent Achievement in Social Science Research in Shanxi Province. Hosted 1 major consulting project of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 2 general projects of the National Natural Science Foundation, and completed 15 provincial and ministerial level key projects. As the first author and corresponding author in Energy Policy Resources, Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal of Environmental Management, China Population, Resources and Environment and other important journals at home and abroad published more than 100 papers, including SCI SSCI and CSSCI have collected over 70 articles, including 12 papers from top journals, with a total citation count of over 100 times.

Presentation Title:  How does institutional configuration drive the regional adoption and market diffusion of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles? Multi period fsQCA analysis based on provincial panel data in China

Abstract:  This study focuses on the institutional driven mechanism of regional adoption and market diffusion of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCV). In response to the strong heterogeneity of institutional environments, uneven market development, and dynamic evolution of promotion paths in different regions, combined with institutional configuration theory, necessary condition analysis (NCA) and multi period fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methods were used to construct an institutional analysis framework suitable for HFCV promotion. Based on data from 31 provinces in China from 2022 to 2023, the linkage effects and configuration patterns of government, market, and social governance factors were systematically evaluated. Firstly, identify the necessary conditions for promoting HFCV and evaluate the impact boundary of a single institutional factor. Subsequently, through fsQCA analysis, the institutional configuration patterns at different time stages were revealed. Further analysis reveals significant differences in the institutional configuration of HFCV promotion among the eastern, central, and western regions of China, reflecting the adaptability of different governance models. This study provides decision-making basis for developing precise promotion strategies in different regions, and helps promote the sustainable development of new energy transportation.

Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research. CAS

Associate professor, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS. In 2006, he received a doctor’s degree from the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. From 2006 to 2007, he was engaged in postdoctoral research in the School of Natural Resources and Environment of the University of Michigan. In 2014, he was selected as a member of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the CAS, and in 2022, he was selected as a distinguished research backbone of the CAS. Mainly engaged in remote sensing detection and spatial simulation of land use change, comprehensive assessment of regional natural resources and ecosystems, and has led more than 20 projects (topics, themes) funded by the National Natural Science Foundation, National Key R&D Program, and National Forestry and Grassland Administration. Published over 80 academic papers in domestic and international academic journals such as PNAS and Nature Communications, and authored 3 translated works and monographs. Led the completion of over 20 consulting reports, which were adopted by relevant central departments. Also serves as a representative of the 9^th and 10^th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology, director of the Youth Work Committee of the China Society of Natural Resources, and editorial board member of the Journal of Natural Resources.

Presentation Title:  The spatial pattern, temporal changes, and ecological impacts of photovoltaic coatings in China

Abstract:  Developing solar photovoltaic energy is an important way to alleviate the energy crisis, reduce carbon emissions, and mitigate global climate change. China has set the goal of achieving peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060, and encourages the development of solar photovoltaics through laws, regulations, and industrial policies. As of the end of 2024, the installed capacity of photovoltaic power generation connected to the grid in China has reached 886 million kilowatts, which is 3.50 times the installed capacity of photovoltaic power generation connected to the grid at the end of 2020 (253 million kilowatts). The rapid expansion of China’s photovoltaic space (which has reached 60% of the global photovoltaic coverage area) is not only a new manifestation of the vigorous development of renewable energy, but also a new characteristic and form of land use change that deserves high attention. Based on the Google Earth Engine platform and Landsat-8 OLI satellite imagery, Jiang Luguang’s research team used a random forest classification method that combines pixel based and object-oriented methods to extract the layout information of photovoltaic power stations in China from 2023 to 2024. Based on the current spatial scope of photovoltaic power stations and validated through high-resolution images over the years, a national photovoltaic spatiotemporal variation dataset from 2010 to 2023 has been developed. On this basis, research has been conducted on the spatiotemporal changes and ecological impacts of photovoltaics nationwide. This report will introduce the research work conducted by the research team on information extraction, spatial patterns, temporal changes, and ecological impacts of photovoltaic coatings in China.

Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, CAS

Associate professor, Master Tutor, and Deputy Director of the Research Office of Resource Economics, Energy and Mineral Resources, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS. Also serves as the Secretary General of the Youth Work Committee of the Chinese Society of Natural Resources. Mainly focusing on the scientific issues of coupling climate change and sustainable development goals, conducting systematic research on the pattern, process, model, mechanism, and policy of China’s soil, water, and energy resources. As the person in charge, he has undertaken 12 national scientific research projects or topics (special topics or sub topics), including the general projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Youth Fund, the sub topics of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s basic project “The Second Comprehensive Scientific Expedition on the Tibetan Plateau” and the theme of “The Third Scientific Expedition in Xinjiang”, the major projects of the Social Science Fund, the Lancang Mekong River Special Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the international cooperation project of the CAS, and the consulting and evaluation project of the CAS. Published over 80 papers, applied for 5 software copyrights and 2 invention patents, and submitted 12 consultation and recommendation reports to relevant central departments for submission or adoption.

Presentation Title:  Strategies for optimizing the distribution of wind energy utilization in Xizang: from potential to utilization

Abstract:  In view of the remote location, complex natural environment, lack of observation points and related facilities, incomplete data and other problems in the plateau area, this study combines the geographic information system modeling, fan characteristics and Xizang wind speed data to design a set of practical plateau comprehensive wind energy assessment methods, and applies them to assess the technical and economic potential of Xizang’s local wind energy. Firstly, there is the assessment of technological potential, which integrates geographical factors and technical parameter information to construct a dedicated dataset. Geographical factors include land use, slope, and altitude, while technical parameters include turbine characteristics and array layout. The relationship between the average wind speed and the output power of wind turbines in Xizang is fitted by using exclusive data sets and five parameter logistic analysis method, and the technical potential of local wind resources is estimated.

Institute of Urban Environment, CAS

Professor, Institute of Urban Environment, CAS. Mainly conducting cross disciplinary research on artificial intelligence and resource geography, with the first communication (including joint) in Nature Energy, Nature Geoscience (cover paper) More than 40 papers were published in Nature Computational Science (cover paper), Nature Communications, One Earth, PNAS nexus and other journals, which were funded by the BR Program of the CAS and other projects. The achievements provided important support for national resource security and global sustainable development, and were reprinted by Xinhua Digest, Learning Power, New York Times, Washington Post and other domestic and foreign media.

Presentation Title:  Research on Coupling System of Critical Metals Based on Artificial Intelligence

Abstract: Critical metals such as rare earths, lithium, cobalt, platinum group, etc. have wide applications in low-carbon energy and semiconductor digital technology, and have become strategic resources fiercely contested internationally. As a bridge connecting “natural resources” and “social consumption”, the metal recycling system plays an important role in shaping the pattern of resource flow, balancing regional supply and demand, and influencing geopolitical game dynamics. Therefore, accurately identifying the cyclic flow processes, coupled interaction mechanisms, and their effects of key metals is a fundamental work to support the international sustainable and just transformation. To this end, this report will introduce how to integrate multiple methods such as remote sensing technology, machine learning, digital twins, and comprehensive evaluation models to build a research platform for key metal coupling systems, and explain their applications and progress.

Nankai University

Professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University. Selected for the National Youth Talent Program and Nankai University’s Top 100 Young Discipline Leaders Program. Mainly engaged in research in the fields of industrial ecology, material flow analysis, life cycle assessment, environmental system analysis, climate resilience, etc. He graduated from the Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research of the CAS. He used to be an assistant professor of teaching track employed by the head of Antwerp University in the Dutch speaking region of Belgium, and he has worked in Northwestern University in the United States and the University of Southern Denmark in Denmark. Published papers in top resource and environmental journals such as Nature Climate Change, Nature Sustainability, One Earth, Nature Communications, and Environmental Science & Technology. The relevant research results have been directly used and cited by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and others. Serving as Editor of journals such as Resources, Conservation & Recycling, concurrently serving as a council member of the International Society for Industrial Ecology (ISIE) and chairman of its Socio-economic Metabolism Branch, as well as a council member of the Chinese Society for Industrial Ecology (CSIE).

Presentation Title:  Global passenger car rubber flow, stock, and carbon emissions assessment under the background of low-carbon transformation

Abstract:  The aim of this study is to evaluate the flow and stock of rubber in the global passenger car fleet, and comprehensively track the lifecycle of rubber from production to disposal. Based on the historical trends and current status of rubber flow and stock in the global passenger car fleet, the future scenarios of rubber flow, stock, and related carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 are predicted. Based on data on rubber production, passenger car manufacturing, types and quantities of rubber used, and the destination of rubber after vehicle scrapping, this study developed a comprehensive evaluation method that combines dynamic material flow analysis and life cycle assessment to systematically assess the emission reduction potential of material efficiency measures. The analysis results indicate that due to global population growth and increasing car ownership, the use of rubber in passenger cars worldwide has significantly increased. Therefore, as tires and vehicles reach their service life, rubber waste also increases significantly. It is expected that by 2050, the increase in car ownership and rubber usage per vehicle will lead to a significant increase in rubber demand, waste generation, and related carbon emissions. Improving the material efficiency of passenger car rubber throughout its entire lifecycle can significantly alleviate these impacts. Among them, improving the efficiency of car usage has the greatest potential for emission reduction, followed by the strategy of car miniaturization.

Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, CAS

Associate professor, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS. In 2013, she obtained a doctoral degree from the Graduate School of Chiba University in Japan. From 2014 to 2016, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Circular Economy Industry Research Center of the School of Environment, Tsinghua University. Mainly engaged in research on resource recycling and environmental economic impact assessment, sustainability assessment and management of electrification transformation, optimization of energy-saving and emission reduction paths, and strategies for addressing climate change. She has presided over and participated in more than 10 projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation and the National Key R&D Program, and have won 2 provincial and ministerial level scientific and technological progress awards. Published over 20 academic papers in domestic and international academic journals, obtained 1 invention patent, and authored 3 monographs. The consulting report participated in has been adopted by relevant departments such as the Ministry of Natural Resources of China.

Presentation Title:  Quantitative analysis of circular economy policy texts for power batteries and research on the fiscal and tax incentive effects of new energy vehicles

Abstract:  With the increasing global attention to environmental protection and sustainable development, the promotion and application of new energy vehicles (NEVs) as an important means to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change have received high attention from governments around the world. As the world’s largest market for new energy vehicles, China has made significant progress in this field, but at the same time, it also faces new challenges such as the scrapping and recycling of power batteries. Promoting the recycling of power batteries not only contributes to resource conservation and efficient utilization, but also effectively reduces environmental pollution, ensures the stability and safety of the industrial chain, and is of great significance for achieving carbon neutrality goals. This study used quantitative text analysis to conduct a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of China’s relevant policies on the recycling of power batteries and fiscal policies for new energy vehicles. In terms of circular economy policies for power batteries, a database covering policies at both central and local levels has been constructed, and based on theme extraction results, a two-dimensional analysis framework with “goals” and “tools” as dimensions has been developed to explore policy evolution trends, goal setting, tool selection, and regional differences. For the fiscal policy of new energy vehicles, a systematic review of 45 peer-reviewed articles from 2000 to 2023 was conducted to evaluate the implementation effect of fiscal policy from both the supply and demand sides of enterprises and consumers. The impact of different types of policy tools on enterprise innovation, financial performance, and consumer preferences and purchase intentions was analyzed, revealing the heterogeneous influencing factors of policies.