Assessing renewable energy efficiency and policies: A combined analysis of LMDI, super-SBM, and fieldwork in Qinghai, China

Nyangchak, Niangjijia

Abstract

The significance of renewable energy as a pivotal green industry in decarbonizing the global economy and addressing the climate change is profound. The rise of China's regional renewable energy serves as a testament to its transition from an industrial powerhouse to a leader of sustainable growth, offering valuable insights for a sustainable future worldwide. This study analyzes renewable energy efficiency, alongside the factors that influence it, in Qinghai Province over 2000–2021. It uses a combination of the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index factor decomposition, Data Envelopment Analysis of Super-SBM models, and field research with a rounded approach. The study finds a robust increase in renewable energy capacity, particularly after 2016. Efficiency in renewable energy generally has risen, although periods of inefficiency were noted from 2014 to 2019. Despite fluctuations, the overall impact of factors such as renewable energy structure, electricity intensity, energy security, energy intensity, carbon productivity, and carbon emissions, all contribute positively to the development of renewable energy, notably in recent years. The paper concludes with a discussion of green industrial policies with wider implications for the renewable energy sector.

Citation

Nyangchak, N. (2024). Assessing renewable energy efficiency and policies: A combined analysis of LMDI, super-SBM, and fieldwork in Qinghai, China. Energy for Sustainable Development, 80, Article 101420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2024.101420

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 2, 2024
• Publication Date: Mar 20, 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 24, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 24, 2024
• Journal: Energy for Sustainable Development
• Print ISSN: 0973-0826
• Electronic ISSN: 2352-4669
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 80
• Article Number: 101420
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2024.101420
• Keywords: Renewable energy, Efficiency, Influencing factors, Green industrial policies, Carbon neutrality
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0973082624000462