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Energy intensity and energy-specific technological progress: A case study in Guangdong province of China

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  • Huang, Junbing
  • Wang, Yajun
  • Guo, Lili

Abstract

Examining the dynamics of technological progress in determining energy intensity not only helps in assessing the relative strength of contributing factors, but also beneficial in designing effective energy policies. The effect of technology on energy intensity was widely discussed, as a whole, without narrowing down to the energy field and considering the technological absorption capacity as well as the heterogeneity. In view of the importance of sustainability in Guangdong province to the Greater Bay Area, this study focused on energy-specific technological progress and investigated the effect of energy-specific technology on energy intensity using a panel dataset covering cities in Guangdong Province for 2005–2017. The empirical evidence shows that energy-specific technology is beneficial in reducing the energy intensity. However, the energy intensity reduction effect is primarily from energy-saving technology rather than the alternative energy technology. From the sources of energy technology, enterprises, rather than from higher education institutions and independent research institutions, are more effective in cutting the energy intensity. In addition, utility-type energy-specific technology shows a stronger reduction effect on energy intensity compared to creation-type. Finally, the study concludes that technological absorption capacity is an important determinant for the effectiveness of energy-specific technology in reducing energy intensity.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Junbing & Wang, Yajun & Guo, Lili, 2022. "Energy intensity and energy-specific technological progress: A case study in Guangdong province of China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 990-1001.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:184:y:2022:i:c:p:990-1001
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.11.087
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