Technologies for Efficient Use of Irrigation Water and Energy in China

While the shortage of water and energy is a well-recognized worldwide natural resources issue, little attention has been given to irrigation energy efficiency. In this paper, we examine the potential energy savings that can be achieved by implementing improved irrigation technologies in China. The use of improved irrigation management measures such as a flow meter, irrigation scheduling, and/or regular maintenance and upgrades, typically reduces the amount of water pumped over the course of a growing season. The total energy saved by applying these improved measures could reach 20%, as compared with traditional irrigation methods. Two methods of irrigation water conveyance by traditional earth canal and low pressure pipeline irrigation （LPPI） were also evaluated. Our study indicated that LPPI could save 6.48x 109 kWh yr1 when applied to 11 Chinese provinces. Also, the COz emission was reduced by 6.72 metric tons per year. Among these 11 surveyed provinces, the energy saving potential for two provinces, Hebei and Shandong, could reach 1.45 x 109 kWh yr^-1. Using LPPI, potential energy saved and CO2 emissions reduced in the other 20 Chinese provinces were estimated at about 2.97×109 kWh yr-1 and 2.69 metric tons per year, respectively. The energy saving potential for Heilongjiang, a major agriculture province, could reach 1.77× 109 kWh yr-1, which is the largest in all provinces. If LPPI is applied to the entire country, average annual energy saving of more than 9 billion kWh and average annual CO2 emission reduction of more than 9.0 metric tons could be realized. Rice is one of the largest users of the world＇s fresh water resources. Compared with continuous flooding irrigation, intermittent irrigation （ITI） can improve yield and water-use efficiency in paddy fields. The total increments of net output energy and yield by ITI in paddy fields across China could reach 2.5× 1016 calories and l07 tons, respectively. So far only a small part of agricultural land in China has adopted water and energy saving technologies. Therefore, potential water and energy savings in China by adapting improved irrigation technology could be significant and should be carefully studied and applied.

Regional Differences in China's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Potentials

This paper investigates the maximum energy efficiency level and the energy saving potentials in each region in China that can be practically attained at current economic and technological development levels. Most of the nation ＇s energy efficient provinces are found along the coast of southeast China, while most of its least energy efficient provinces are in the hinterland that is rich in coal resources, and which depends heavily on coal consumption. China＇s low efficiency in energy resource allocation stems from its secondary industry, which is handicapped by the lowest energy efficiency and the most striking regional differentials. A comparison of the factors affecting the energy efficiency shows that the provinces being compared in this study differ tremendously in energy consumption structure, technological level of the secondary industry, and abundance of energy resources, and that the other factors are only adequate, rather than necessary, conditions. It is imperative to rectify the behaviors of provinces in balancing local energy allocation, to channel energy resources to energy efficient provinces, and to improve the national energy efficiency as a whole. When taking energy-saving steps, provinces must take into full consideration both the national and local factors that affect energy efficiency. Furthermore, it is unrealistic for China to set a unified energy saving goal for differentprovinces.

Finite time thermodynamic analysis and optimization of water cooled multi-spilit heat pipe system(MSHPS)

This study focuses on the heat transfer characteristics of the evaporation terminal,the cool distribute unit(CDU)and refrigerant flow distribution of a water cooled multi-spilit heat pipe system(MSHPS)used in data center.The finite time thermodynamic analysis,the exergy method and the software SIMULINK was employed to build the simulation model of the combined system.The results show that the IT servers should concentrate on arranging at the location below 1.3 m.The CDU has a heat transfer of about 74 J in a period of 6 s.And the optimum flow rate of the CDU is 0.82 kg/s.The flow distribution characteristic of a CDU which connect 2 heat pipe evaporator terminals of 6 kW was calculated,and the working fluid is R22.Then the free cooling time,part time free cooling and energy saving potential in major cities of China were analysised.The energy saving potential is from 61%to 25%.The results are of great significance for the operational control and practical application of a MSHPS and other pipe-net systems.