An analysis on energy utilization in China based on NRCA model

As to the data of energy utilization in 30 Provinces of China since 1985 and the comparative advantage principle (CAI), the scale advantage indices (SAI) and benefit advantage indices (BAI) were calculated with the normalized revealed comparative advantage index (NRCA) model. The 30 Provinces were clustered by the comparative advantage value, and the temporal-spatial difference was analyzed, and we find that the driving factors which brought on the fluctuation of the comparative advantage index of productive energy utilization, were population, energy resource, economic development level as well as energy utilization benefit; and that of residential water was urbanization level. The results showed that the superiority regions of agricultural production energy-using were in Sichuan, Hubei, Anhui, Guangxi, Yunnan, Hainan and Jilin etc; the superiority regions of industrial production energy-using were in Hebei, Shanxi, Henan and Jiangsu etc; and the superiority regions of building energy utilization were in Heilongjiang, Henan and Jiangxi etc, and the superiority regions of tertiary industrial production energy-using were in the eastern part and the middle reaches area of the Yangtze River. The results show the feasibility of NRCA method in energy resources advantage assessment.