Conversion of carbon dioxide to valuable petrochemicals:An approach to clean development mechanism

The increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide and the global warming due to its greenhouse effect resulted in worldwide concerns. On the other hand, carbon dioxide might be considered as a valuable and renewable carbon source. One approach to reduce carbon dioxide emissions could be its capture and recycle via transformation into chemicals using the technologies in C1 chemistry. Despite its great interest, there are difficulties in CO2 separation on the one hand, and thermodynamic stability of carbon dioxide molecule rendering its chemical activity low on the other hand. Carbon dioxide has been already used in petrochemical industries for production of limited chemicals such as urea. The utilization of carbon dioxide does not necessarily involve development of new processes, and in certain processes such as methanol synthesis and methane steam reforming, addition of CO2 into the feed results in its utilization and increases carbon efficiency. In other cases, modifications in catalyst and/or processes, or even new catalysts and processes, are necessary. In either case, catalysis plays a crucial role in carbon dioxide conversion and effective catalysts are required for commercial realization of the related processes. Technologies for CO2 utilization are emerging after many years of research and development efforts.

The Clean Development Mechanism and Sustainable Development in China's Electricity Sector

The Clean Development Mechanism,a flexibility mechanism contained in the KyotoProtocol, offers China an important tool to attractinvestment in clean energy technology and processesinto its electricity sector. The Chinese electricitysector places centrally in the country’s economy andenvironment, being a significant contributor to theacid rain and air pollution problems that plague manyof China’s cities and regions, and therefore a focusof many related energy and environmental policies.China’s electricity sector has also been the subjectof a number of economic analyses that have showedthat it contains the highest potential for clean energyinvestment through the Clean DevelopmentMechanism of any economic sector in China. Thismechanism, through the active participation frominvestors in more industrialized countries, can helpalleviate the environmental problems attributable toelectricity generation in China through advancingsuch technology as wind electricity generation, cleancoal technology, high efficient natural gas electricitygeneration, or utilization of coal mine methane. Inthis context, the Clean Development Mechanismalso compliments a range of environmental and energypolicies which are strategizing to encourage thesustainable development of China’s economy.

Outcomes of the Clean Development Mechanism in Argentina

This paper summarizes the results of the implementation of the CDM in Argentina during the first period of commitment of the Kyoto Protocol. From a total of sixty- five projects ideas, forty-four achieved registration under the CDM EB while the rest remained approved at national level (12), under evaluation (2), suspended (5) or rejected (2). Most of the projects focused on the generation of electricity from renewable energy, mainly wind energy and the use of landfill gas and methane for energy. Emissions reductions achieved 33.4% of the expected CERs up to 2012 with strong differences among sectors. Results demonstrated that under the current Argentina’s energy policy framework, the income by the selling of CERs covered less than 6% of the incremental costs for renewable energy projects. A sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impact of CDM in the coverage of incremental costs for renewable energy based on the prices of both the energy in the local market and the CER demonstrated that the best conditions would only cover 15% of those costs. The contribution of CDM to technology transfer in Argentina was minor considering that 45% of the projects qualified as type III where technological learning and capacity building were limited at the level of operation and maintenance of a foreign technology. Domestic and external barriers that prevented a better performance of CDM projects in terms of GHG mitigation, technology transfer and the contribution to a sustainable development were also analyzed.

Research on regional capability constructive models of clean development mechanism

Global climate change has been identified as the first of the top ten environmental problems in the world. As climate change will have serious effects on the social and economic development and everyday, living of people in the world, many of the countries and governments are taking untiring efforts to combat climate change. As one of the important mechanisms of reducing greenhouse gas （GHG） emissions in the Kyoto Protocol, Clean Development Mechanism （CDM） has not only provided chance for developed countries to fulfill greenhouse emission reduction obligations, but also provided an opportunity for developing countries to combat climate change under the sustainable development frame. The dual objectives of developed countries＇ GHG emissions＇ reduction obligation achievement and developing cotmtries＇sustainable development will be achieved under the CDM. As a country with responsibility; China has been positively developing CDM projects and promoting energy saving and emissions reduction during the three yeors after the Kyoto Protocol came into force, and CDM projects development has always been in the front tank in the world. However; as the vast clime within China, notable differences occur in different regions. In order to promote the CDM development in China, it is necessa^T to have regional CDM capability construction in accordance with the practicality in different regions. Based on the Slat Analysis of developed CDM projects and current CDM development status in China, problems in the CDM development of China, including the inefficiency in small and medium-sized CDM Projects＇ development, over centralization of CDM development scope and especially the differentiated provincial CDM projects developing capability are pointed out in the paper： What＇s more, reasons for the problems are analyzed from fire leading.factors, including policy orient, information asymmetry and weak CDM capability, In order to promote CDM projects development in China, a new CDM capability, construction model is put forward in the paper.

The Influencing Factors of sCER Price Dynamics Under the Clean Development Mechanism: Theory and Econometric Analysis

In order to explore the factors and their complex mechanism affecting the price dynamics under the clean development mechanism （CDM）, this article employs the secondary Certified Emission Reduction （sCER） carbon price as the study object, and analyzes its influencing factors from aspects of the international carbon-reduction policies, macroeconomic fluctuations, energy and similar carbon products prices. The innovation of this paper lies in： Introducing necessary factor （the developing countries pricing power） and the application of several international representative indicators to un- derline the ＂world＂ nature of CDM; utilizing different econometric models to obtain noteworthy and more robust results. The authors test the theoretical findings with multiple stationary time series from the launch of CDM to present （2008-2016）. The results reveal that sCER price fluctuation shows the characteristic of asymmetry and substantial persistence. There is a strong statistically significant relationship between macroeconomic conditions, coal and oil prices, with the price of sCER. The authors discover that the pricing power of developing countries indeed has a clear but small impact on the sCER price changes, whereas the price elasticity of supply under CDM is so weak. The interaction between EU emission allowances （EUAs） and sCER presents a shift from dependency to substitution.

Emission Baselines for Clean Development Mechanism Projects: Residential Heating Case in Beijing

To explore emission baseline, technically the most difficult issue for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project development, as well as to examine whether CDM is a possible way to help Beijing restructure its heating energy consumption, this paper conducts a CDM baseline case study on residential heating in Beijing. Based on investigation, energy consumption forecast and economic analysis of future technology options, the technology benchmark and site specific baselines for both retrofit projects and new heating projects have been discussed. The results indicate that fuel switching from coal to natural gas can meet the additionality criteria in many cases and will be the main type of CDM project. In addition, it also proves that the technology benchmark and the case by case baseline setting approach are applicable for future CDM cooperation projects on heating in Beijing.

CDM Project Activities in China's Iron and Steel Industry:Current Status,Barriers and Development Strategies

China is now facing huge pressure from both the domestic concern of energy security and the global community's call for emission reduction commitment.As one of the major energy consumers and greenhouse gas emitters,China's iron and steel industry has a huge clean development mechanism(CDM) potential.This article both quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes the current status of CDM project activities in the iron and steel industry in China,including characteristics of approved project types,applicable methodologies,and potential technology fields.From the perspective of project implementation,the article summarizes development barriers such as high investment risk,difficulty in project identification,strict requirements on PPDs,long registration waiting time,and etc.Policy suggestions are also put forwarded to help better promote the development of CDM projects in the iron and steel industry.

An Optimal Model for Carbon Sinks of CDM Project to Build a New Countryside Based on Cyclic Economy under Uncertainty

Based on the status and characteristics of Clean Development Mechanism （CDM） renewable energy project and the mode of cyclic economy, aimed at achieving the maximum capacity of carbon sinks in the system, Lvjin Jiayuan—New Countryside Distripark CDM project in Wuchuan County was taken as an example for developing an interval linear programming （ILP） model to optimize the crops planting scheme and cows breeding scheme by using interval optimal method. The case showed that the optimized crops planting scheme and cows breeding scheme obtained from the optimal model was reasonable with relatively preferable overall performance. In the context of meeting economic benefits and fertilizer, electricity demand, [231 287.8, 273 312.7] t of CO2 could be absorbed and fixed, which had increased by [12.94, 33.46]% compared with the feasibility scheme of case project and provided technical support for making the decision in CDM project.

A study of legal attributes of carbon emission rights in carbon trading

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has given birth to an international carbon trading market prosperity, which provides developing countries with valuable opportunity to address climate change issues right along with economic development and environmental improvement to achieve sustainable development. However, most studies of CDM focus on economics, and few on its legal problems. CDM involves too many aspects. And the clear legal attribute of trading object is the basis of progress of the transaction and also the start point of legal protection. Therefore, this paper in accordance with the inherent principle of property rights economics, and environmental economics in CDM, only discusses CDM carbon emission right legal interpretation and its attribution. The paper recommends that in order to ensure and promote the carbon emission right trading, carbon emission right should be attributed into the system of real rights to be regulated by Real Right Law. In this way, carbon emission right can gain exclusive power of possession and use, which can achieve a clear right def inition of environmental goods in line with Coase's theory to protect Chinese prof it in carbon trading market and promote the development of the carbon trading market further.

Assessment of CDM Activities by a Generation Planning Model of the Chinese Power Grids

A generation planning model of six main power grids in China is developed to evaluate the potential of advanced power generation technologies into the Chinese power system as CDM （clean development mechanism）. It is investigated how delivered coal price, on-grid power price, and environmental protection may influence the potential of advanced thermal power generation as CDM projects. One finding from the baseline analysis is that coal price, on-grid power price, and environmental protection policy have only a small significance to the grid-wide specific CO2 emissions of thermal power generation up to the year 2026, while the best thermal generation mix is influenced largely by environmental protection policy. And it is found that not only the price of CER （certified emission reduction） and the length of crediting period but also on-grid power price and the reduction of air pollutants in the baseline have a significant influence on the potential of the CDM activities.

A Comparative Study on the Implementation of CDM Projects in India

Since the Clean Development Mechanism(CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol was initiated,China and India have overwhelmingly led other developing countries regarding CDM projects development.A comparative study of the CDM in India and China is conducted as there are many similarities between both India and China with regard to the CDM implementation due to the fact that India is another major developing country with a large population and a potential source of GHG emissions rivaling China in the near future.Through examining the development of and legal issues for CDM projects in India,its experience and lessons regarding developing and managing CDM projects that China can critically learn are discussed.

Implementation of a greenhouse gas reduction roadmap for steel producing companies

This paper shall show an economic feasible approach to implement greenhouse gas(GHG) reduction measures into steel companies. The goal to improve energy consumption is directly linked to the reduction of GHG emissions and therefore directly in correlation with the economic viability. A baseline scenario of the considered reference system and of the respective reference year has to be defined, mapped and analysed. In a second step an analysis of the same operation using available and prospected best available technology (BAT) processes is carried out to generate a basis for a benchmark system. The identified reduction potentials are reported and the GHG emission reductions are put into relation to the investment cost of the new process technologies/process adaption to be implemented.This economic feasibility calculation is necessary to realise a cost efficient GHG reduction roadmap implementation into the company's business operations. The GHG reduction roadmap is developed using the abatement curve concept to get an indication of ' low hanging fruits' and for establishing a sequence for implementing carbon emission reductions measures. The scope of that approach can be extended by including further important environmental parameters like NOx, SO_2,CO,dust,heavy metal emissions in air as well as production residues.That gives in the end a broader picture and more starting points to improve the overall environmental performance of steel producing companies beyond the GHG emissions and energy consumption.

A study of contract legal issues in Chinese carbon market

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has given birth to an international carbon trading market prosperity,which provides developing countries with valuable opportunities to address climate change issues together with economic development and environmental improvement to achieve the sustainable goal. China,as the biggest carbon market,has caught worldwide attention. However,most studies of CDM focus on economics and environmental science,few on its legal problems. Transaction activities are the essence of market mechanism. To protect the benefits of market participators and regulate the market orders,the Contract Law takes this important role along with development of market mechanism. Therefore,this paper only focuses on the carbon market in China,with the assessment of the risks in the CDM development first. The involved contracts will be identified and analyzed to point out the major contract legal issues in Chinese carbon market. In the meantime,this paper further discusses that measurements at both private level and governmental level should be taken to protect and realize the utility and equality of contract in the carbon market.

A study of regional CDM projects distribution in China

CDM will reduce the global GHG emissions with lower costs while promoting sustainable development of the developing countries.However,the lack of distribution equilibrium has been a problem not solved for a long time.In order to increase CDM distribution equilibrium in China,CDM support requirement extent of different areas is analyzed based on the study on the economic development and sustainable development capability.At the same time,registered and issued projects are analyzed to have an assessment on the CDM distribution equilibrium in China.Based on the study,it is concluded that there is a lack of CDM distribution equilibrium in China as most of CDM support has gone to the relatively more developed areas.Based on the reason analysis from the sector development,CDM market and information circulation aspects,suggestions are given to support CDM development in western areas by the"sector development guidance+CDM capability construction+market support"mode in this paper.

Including Co-benefits in the CDM of the Power Sector： A Case Study for India

This study examines the effects of the inclusion of co-benefits on the potential capacity of advanced thermal plants with a linear programming model in the CDM （clean development mechanism） in India＇s power sector. It investigates how different marginal damage costs of air pollutants affect the potential capacity of NGCC （natural gas combined cycle） and IGCC （integrated gasification combined cycle） by CDM projects with a scenario analysis. Three results are found from this analysis. First, IGCC and NGCC are installed at lower CER （certified emission reductions） prices when the marginal damage costs of air pollutants are added to the CER prices. Second, the CER prices of $1/tCO2 correspond with the sum of marginal damage costs of air pollutants of $150/t for NGCC and $30/t for IGCC in India＇s power sector. Thus, including the co-benefits into CDM attracts developing countries such as India where coal resource is redundant. Third, the SOx and NOx reduction benefits attained from the CDM projects become large in a grid where IGCC is installed.

Projected Long-Term Behavior of the CO2 Emission Factor in the Electricity System of Uruguay

Estimating CO2 emission factor of the electricity system is a key aspect in the calculation of the baseline emissions for projects certified as CDM （Clean Development Mechanism）, which replace energy from the grid. Currently, Uruguay is driving the expansion of the electricity system based on domestic renewable energies, in addition to replacing oil-based fuels for others with lower emission factors. This implies a substantial change of the generation park in the next decade and of the associated CO2 emissions. In this paper, a calculation methodology of the baseline emissions is adapted for its incorporation in the software SimSEE （Electric Energy Systems Simulator）, which is used for modeling the Uruguayan electric system, and therefore, allows modeling the current energy generator park and the future one. Using this tool, the CO2 emission factor＇s evolution is evaluated in the 2012-2020 period. The 2020 scenario is based on an optimal expansion of the electric system. The results indicate a strong reduction of the emission factor between 2012 and 2020, going from average values （for 100 simulations） around 0.60 tCO2/MWh to 0.15 tCO2/MWh. In this possible future scenario, CDM certification will probably not act as a strong incentive in Uruguay for the development of projects based on non-traditional renewable energies.

Life Cycle Evaluation of Energy Supply Technologies in China by Energy Chain Multi Layered Model

China has a large potential to reduce CO2 emission in the Asian region. In this study, life cycle analyses of energy supply technologies in China were evaluated for enforcing the clean development mechanism （CDM）. Wind power, integrated coal gasification combined cycle （IGCC）, natural gas combined cycle （NGCC）, and ultra super critical power plant （USC） were chosen as new power generation technologies. The system function of the developed model was enhanced to extend coverage to new technologies for power generation systems in China. CO2 intensities, energy profit ratios, and CO2 emission reductions are estimated based on the assumption that these power plants were constructed at Shanxi, Xinjiang, and Shanghai. Wind power showed the best results with regard to CO2 intensity and energy profit ratio. However, it also has some disadvantages with regard to the utilization factor and the lifetime. It is considered that wind power will become an important part of CDM activities as the utilization factor and the lifetime improve. An NGCC using a natural gas pipeline was found to be most advantageous in reducing CO2 emission. IGCC and USC were inferior to NGCC with regard to energy profit ratios and CO2 emission reductions.

Role of China in Global Carbon Market

The use of market-based mechanisms is a cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions. The present paper reviews the global carbon market, focusing mainly on its structure and price features, and analyzes the role of China in the global carbon market. China is playing a leading role in the pursuit of sustainable development, which can account for its lagging behind in the Clean Development Mechanism. The paper discusses the opportunities and challenges for China undertaking the Clean Development Mechanism project in the future.

Project Boundary Setting and Leakage Treatment in CDM Project

Project boundary setting and leakage treatment are two important issues to be considered when a clean development mechanism (CDM) project is being designed. There are still many uncertainties con- cerning these two issues. This paper reviews the concepts of project boundary setting and leakage in CDM projects, cites the types and sources of leakage, discusses the principles for determining leakage, and gives some proposed methods for dealing with leakage. A case study, using several steps to solve the boundary and leakage problems,shows how the analyzed principles and treatments can be implemented in a real project. Based on the result of the case study, the methods discussed are shown to be appropriate for set- tling leakage issues.