A Study On Environmental And Economic Efficiency Of Biomass Energy In Rural Gansu

The emissions of the greenhouse gases to air have caused global warming. After the United Nations Climate Change Conference was held in Copenhagen in Dec.2009, China had made commitment to the 2020 unit of gross domestic product (GDP) of carbon dioxide emissions below 2005 levels by 40%-45%. To achieve this goal, adjusting energy utilization structure in China is important. Therefore, to research the environmental and economic efficiency of energy resources could provide reference for national energy policy.The author of the paper studied the biomass resource potential and its environmental and economic benefits in rural region of Gansu Province by the combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis methods, by using the statistical unit of the cities/autonomous regions in Gansu province, by analyzing environmental and economic benefits of energy resources in each city/region based on mathematical models, and by applying GIS technology to draw regional biomass energy potential map of Gansu province.Conclusions drawn from the study are as follows:(1) Fossil energy such as coal, petroleum and natural gas reserves are limited and will cause serious pollution for environment. Therefore, fossil energy use should be gradually reduced while the development and utilization of clean energy should be timely focused on.(2) Compared to solar energy and wind energy, biomass energy is easier to be developed in rural region of Gansu Province.(3) The environmental and economic benefits of biomass resources are significant.(4) The biomass resources vary in different cities/regions in Gansu Province, thus, the development of clean energy should be considered based on local conditions.