Chinas rural energy system and management

The issues related to rural energy development and the corresponding escalating Aeconomic activities have given rise to a complex, interrelationship among Asocietal, economics, energy, environment and rural policies. With 7% olʹthe Aworldʹs farm land to produce food for 23% of the worldʹs population, combined Awith the increasing energy demands for modernized farming has resulted in a Adynamic rural energy policy for China. This paper discusses the characteristics Aof a rural society, outlines the relationship of rural energy supply and demand Amanagement, and discusses the interrelationship between energy and the Aenvironment utilization. An illustration of the diffusion of biomass as a Asuccess story highlights some of the policies related to self-building, self-Amanaging and self-using. Also discussed in this paper are the results of the integrated rural energy-policy, that is. the social benefits to farmers and the Adecrease of energy consumption per unit of output. Emerging nations must Aundertake a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of their respective rural Aenergy developments and the corresponding interrelationships between Atechnology, economics and the environment.1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights Areserved.