China is a powerhouse of renewable energy and the country is poised to leverage its experiences and expertise for international exchanges and cooperation in this increasingly important field, according to a global expert.
"The role of China is crucial and recognized in the world. China is an incredible powerhouse of renewable energy projects," said Francesco La Camera, director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency, or IRENA, during a recent visit to China's National Energy Administration.
Both domestically and internationally, the production of renewable energy and renewable energy equipment has put China at the forefront of the global green energy drive, La Camera said.
IRENA is an intergovernmental organization that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. It comprises 167 member nations and the European Union. China officially joined the group in January 2014.
The National Energy Administration drafts China's energy strategy, implements the country's energy policy and regulates its energy sectors, including coal, electricity, oil and gas, and nuclear power. It also supports science and technology research on energy efficiency and renewable energy, formulating plans for national reserves of oil and gas.
On April 18, a China-IRENA cooperation seminar was held in Beijing with the support of the energy administration. About 100 representatives of central and local governments, energy enterprises, financial institutions, research institutions, industry associations and universities attended the conference.
The delegates held in-depth discussions on topics ranging from China's energy transition and renewable energy development to international cooperation on clean energy and cooperation between China and IRENA.
China's renewable energy industry continued its global lead last year, with its renewable energy generation equivalent to the reduction of 2.26 billion tons of domestic carbon dioxide emissions, according to data from the administration.
Chinese exports of wind power and photovoltaic products also helped other countries reduce emissions by about 573 million tons, data showed.
La Camera said that China's latest renewable energy projects show the world a way to move forward toward sustainable development.
"What is interesting to see is the speed and the impetus of the process. So we see that there is really the sense of urgency ... and China has many possibilities," he said. "Look at the solar panels in the desert, where you can experiment... and they can also be (used) for environmental protection or to promote agricultural use of the land."
The country's focus on green hydrogen — a critical enabler of the global transition to sustainable energy — is very relevant, according to La Camera.
Hydrogen fuel is produced from various sources of primary energy, including coal and natural gas. The process of electrolysis is used to extract the fuel, which can then be stored and converted into electricity when needed.
Green hydrogen from renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, makes it one of the most eco-friendly fuel options, and China's green hydrogen production costs are going down due to its technological advances.
"We may have the use of green hydrogen in greening the steel and heavy manufacturing industries. ... Green hydrogen can be a solution for the energy sector," La Camera said.
IRENA is a platform for exchanging information, showcasing good experiences, and trying to identify problems and finding their solutions, he said. "In this respect, China's experiences are being brought to the attention of others, with many suggestions on how optimizing processes can fuel more renewables on the ground."
China has been an active IRENA member, with its involvement in the council, in initiatives and in expert review of major reports, La Camera said. The Chinese contribution also includes participation in crucial capacity-building activities, he said.
Relevant training and capacity building are in high demand worldwide, as professional skills and curriculums are oriented to the old energy systems and frameworks, such as fossil fuels, so re-skilling is important, La Camera said.
"Dealing with new systems, where we have to ensure that the system works in interconnectivity and flexibility, is important. So we provide the training for these institutions to manage this range of problems."
In the next few stages, the focus will need to include strengthening institutional capacity via professional skills and training that are oriented toward the future, complemented by the sustainability of physical energy grids and related infrastructure, he said.
China's efforts will be integral in the global move toward sustainability amid climate change. "China is crucial in energy transition, playing a very important role in reaching the consensus for the Paris Agreement," La Camera said.
"When we talk about energy transition, the African continent, the Global South, where we have to intercept the economic growth and feed it with green technologies, in this respect, China... can play a very important role. This could be done through investments, through participation in drawing up the policies. ... All these elements can work together for society going toward a green energy system."
褰檽锟斤拷?