IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i12p5505-d1679282.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Techno-Economic Analysis of an All-Electric Energy Station in Eastern China

Author

Listed:
  • Yihan Sun

    (Department of Environmental Design, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110178, China)

  • Duo Zhang

    (School of Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

Abstract

This study conducts a techno-economic evaluation of an all-electric energy station in China. It assesses the system’s feasibility and sustainability. The all-electric energy station integrates multiple components: chillers, air-source heat pumps, electric boilers, water thermal storage, and gas boilers. These components work together to deliver comprehensive cooling and heating services. The research compares this system with an integrated electricity-gas system. It analyzes performance across three key areas: economic benefits, environmental impact, and energy utilization efficiency. The results show significant advantages for the all-electric energy station. Economic analysis reveals that the net present value ( NPV ) of the all-electric energy station is positive, the internal rate of return (IRR) is high, and the payback period is significantly shorter compared to traditional systems. Sensitivity analysis highlights that the discount rate and initial investment are the most influential factors affecting NPV , while cooling prices present substantial revenue optimization potential. The all-electric configuration exhibits greater sensitivity to parameter variations, underscoring the importance of strategic risk management. Additionally, the all-electric energy station excels in environmental protection. Carbon emissions are reduced by 11.5% compared to conventional systems. As renewable energy increases in the grid, indirect carbon emissions will decrease further. The all-electric energy station demonstrates strong economic feasibility. It plays a crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality and promoting green energy development. This study provides valuable insights for future regional integrated energy systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Yihan Sun & Duo Zhang, 2025. "Techno-Economic Analysis of an All-Electric Energy Station in Eastern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-19, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5505-:d:1679282
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5505/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5505/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fang, Kai & Tang, Yiqi & Zhang, Qifeng & Song, Junnian & Wen, Qi & Sun, Huaping & Ji, Chenyang & Xu, Anqi, 2019. "Will China peak its energy-related carbon emissions by 2030? Lessons from 30 Chinese provinces," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    2. Sara Rajabi Hamedani & Mauro Villarini & Andrea Colantoni & Maurizio Carlini & Massimo Cecchini & Francesco Santoro & Antonio Pantaleo, 2020. "Environmental and Economic Analysis of an Anaerobic Co-Digestion Power Plant Integrated with a Compost Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, May.
    3. Umut Burak Geyikci & Serkan Çınar & Fatih Mehmet Sancak, 2022. "Analysis of the Relationships among Financial Development, Economic Growth, Energy Use, and Carbon Emissions by Co-Integration with Multiple Structural Breaks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-11, May.
    4. Sara Rajabi Hamedani & Tom Kuppens & Robert Malina & Enrico Bocci & Andrea Colantoni & Mauro Villarini, 2019. "Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Valuation of Biochar Production: Two Case Studies in Belgium," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-21, June.
    5. Qadrdan, Meysam & Chaudry, Modassar & Wu, Jianzhong & Jenkins, Nick & Ekanayake, Janaka, 2010. "Impact of a large penetration of wind generation on the GB gas network," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(10), pages 5684-5695, October.
    6. Fubara, Tekena Craig & Cecelja, Franjo & Yang, Aidong, 2014. "Modelling and selection of micro-CHP systems for domestic energy supply: The dimension of network-wide primary energy consumption," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 327-334.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Andrea Colantoni & Rodolfo Picchio & Alvaro Marucci & Elena Di Mattia & Valerio Cristofori & Fabio Recanatesi & Mauro Villarini & Danilo Monarca & Massimo Cecchini, 2020. "WP3—Innovation in Agriculture and Forestry Sector for Energetic Sustainability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-7, November.
    2. Wang, Yongli & Wang, Yudong & Huang, Yujing & Yang, Jiale & Ma, Yuze & Yu, Haiyang & Zeng, Ming & Zhang, Fuwei & Zhang, Yanfu, 2019. "Operation optimization of regional integrated energy system based on the modeling of electricity-thermal-natural gas network," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    3. Shi, Changfeng & Zhi, Jiaqi & Yao, Xiao & Zhang, Hong & Yu, Yue & Zeng, Qingshun & Li, Luji & Zhang, Yuxi, 2023. "How can China achieve the 2030 carbon peak goal—a crossover analysis based on low-carbon economics and deep learning," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    4. Katsuyuki Nakano & Ken Yamagishi, 2021. "Impact of Carbon Tax Increase on Product Prices in Japan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, April.
    5. Lin, Fan & Xie, Danyang, 2024. "The Role of R&D for Climate Change Mitigation in China: a Dynamic General Equilibrium Analysis," MPRA Paper 123556, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Meng Guo & Shukai Cai, 2022. "Impact of Green Innovation Efficiency on Carbon Peak: Carbon Neutralization under Environmental Governance Constraints," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-18, August.
    7. Chi, Lixun & Su, Huai & Zio, Enrico & Zhang, Jinjun & Li, Xueyi & Zhang, Li & Fan, Lin & Zhou, Jing & Bai, Hua, 2020. "Integrated Deterministic and Probabilistic Safety Analysis of Integrated Energy Systems with bi-directional conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    8. Dumitru Alexandru Bodislav & Liviu Cătălin Moraru & Raluca Iuliana Georgescu & George Eduard Grigore & Oana Vlăduț & Gabriel Ilie Staicu & Alina Ștefania Chenic, 2025. "Recyclable Consumption and Its Implications for Sustainable Development in the EU," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-36, April.
    9. Pellegrino, Sandro & Lanzini, Andrea & Leone, Pierluigi, 2017. "Greening the gas network – The need for modelling the distributed injection of alternative fuels," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 266-286.
    10. Kledja Canaj & Andi Mehmeti & Julio Berbel, 2021. "The Economics of Fruit and Vegetable Production Irrigated with Reclaimed Water Incorporating the Hidden Costs of Life Cycle Environmental Impacts," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-13, September.
    11. Mohamed A. Hassaan & Antonio Pantaleo & Francesco Santoro & Marwa R. Elkatory & Giuseppe De Mastro & Amany El Sikaily & Safaa Ragab & Ahmed El Nemr, 2020. "Techno-Economic Analysis of ZnO Nanoparticles Pretreatments for Biogas Production from Barley Straw," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-26, September.
    12. Lili Sun & Huijuan Cui & Quansheng Ge, 2021. "Driving Factors and Future Prediction of Carbon Emissions in the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-21, September.
    13. Laura Canale & Anna Rita Di Fazio & Mario Russo & Andrea Frattolillo & Marco Dell’Isola, 2021. "An Overview on Functional Integration of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems in Multi-Energy Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-33, February.
    14. Lauri Leppäkoski & Miika P. Marttila & Ville Uusitalo & Jarkko Levänen & Vilma Halonen & Mirja H. Mikkilä, 2021. "Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Biochar from Willow Grown on Marginal Lands in Finland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.
    15. Yang, Yi & Qin, Huan, 2024. "The uncertainties of the carbon peak and the temporal and regional heterogeneity of its driving factors in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    16. Musah, Mohammed & Onifade, Stephen Taiwo & Ankrah, Isaac & Gyamfi, Bright Akwasi & Amoako, George Kofi, 2024. "Achieving net-zero emission target in Africa: Are sustainable energy innovations and financialization crucial for environmental sustainability of sub-Saharan African state?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 364(C).
    17. Zhang, Lixiao & Yang, Min & Zhang, Pengpeng & Hao, Yan & Lu, Zhongming & Shi, Zhimin, 2021. "De-coal process in urban China: What can we learn from Beijing's experience?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    18. Zheng, Li & Yuan, Ling & Khan, Zeeshan & Badeeb, Ramez Abubakr & Zhang, Leilei, 2023. "How G-7 countries are paving the way for net-zero emissions through energy efficient ecosystem?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    19. Struhs, Ethan & Mirkouei, Amin & You, Yaqi & Mohajeri, Amir, 2020. "Techno-economic and environmental assessments for nutrient-rich biochar production from cattle manure: A case study in Idaho, USA," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    20. Marco Maialetti & Clio Ciaschini & Giovanni Quaranta & Rosanna Salvia & Donato Scarpitta & Stefano Bigiotti & Francesco Maria Chelli & Luca Salvati, 2024. "Investigating ‘Land-Use Trajectories’ in Mediterranean Rural Areas with Official Statistics and a Multiway Factor Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-16, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5505-:d:1679282. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.