The cost-effective pathways for power decarbonization: Low-carbon generation technologies

This study investigates the cost-effective pathways of China´s power decarbonization with various low-carbon power technologies, incorporating the uncertainties of CO₂ price. An adapted low-carbon generation expansion planning model (GEP) was applied to determine the least-cost decision. Based on the scenario analysis, we conclude with the following findings. First, technically, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is indispensable to help China achieve a high-degree CO₂ reduction in the power sector, but it results in a slight increase in fuel consumption. Second, the cost competitiveness of CCS technology increases with the CO₂ price and exceeds the cost competitiveness of renewable energy power technologies at certain points. Hence, CCS facilitates a cost-effective decarbonization when CO₂ price is introduced. Third, the share of renewable energy generation slightly varies at around 42% across the scenarios, which almost achieves the production limit. A heavy reliance of CO₂ reduction on renewable energy generation is not technically and economically effective for China.