Critical transmission sectors in China?s energy supply chains

The transition of energy supply system is essential to achieve carbon neutrality, since carbon emissions largely come from fossil fuel consumption. To propose sector-specific strategies for energy conservation, previous studies mainly focus on sectors that directly use or indirectly drive large amounts of energy at two ends of supply chains. Transmission centers located in intermediate supply chains transmit large amounts of energy use and are usually ignored by production-based or consumption-based methods. However, efficiency improvement in transmission centers may contribute to energy conservation. In this study, we use betweenness-based method to identify critical transmission sectors for different energy types at the inter-provincial level of China in 2012, 2015, and 2017. Results show that Shandong and Jiangsu are critical energy transmission provinces, Smelting and processing of metals and Manufacture of chemical products are critical energy transmission sectors, and raw coal has the largest transmission in energy supply chains. Some critical transmission sectors get less attention from the production-based or consumption-based perspectives, such as Production and distribution of electric power and heat power in Beijing. In addition, renewable energy development is changing energy transmission patterns. To promote a low-carbon economy, betweenness-based results should be considered as complementary strategies for energy sustainable development.

Automated summary

The transition of energy supply system is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality as carbon emissions are mostly caused by fossil fuel consumption. Previous studies focused on proposing sector-specific strategies for energy conservation, mainly targeting sectors that directly or indirectly drive significant energy usage at both ends of the supply chain. However, intermediate transmission centers, which transmit substantial energy use, are often overlooked. This study uses a betweenness-based method to identify critical transmission sectors for different energy types at the inter-provincial level in China. The results show that certain provinces like Shandong and Jiangsu, as well as sectors such as smelting and processing of metals and manufacture of chemical products, play crucial roles in energy transmission, with raw coal having the highest transmission volume. Some critical transmission sectors, like the production and distribution of electric power and heat power in Beijing, receive less attention from production-based or consumption-based perspectives. Additionally, the development of renewable energy is changing energy transmission patterns, and the betweenness-based results should be considered as complementary strategies for energy sustainable development to promote a low-carbon economy.