The project Green energy solutions in Chinese rural areas was initiated in the beginning of 2007, and started with the organizing of an international forum for ‘Comprehensive utilization of Energy Resources in China’. The first conference of the forum was held in Beijing in April 2007. Various excursions were arranged parallel to the conference. Excursions contained practical surveys and registrations in various sites in the country side around Beijing, as well as visits to energy related facilities in the area. The 4 year spanned project is carried out in collaboration with another NUC research group 'Industrial technology', Reinertsen AS, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology (BIPT) and Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, School of Economics & Management (IMUST) together with authorities and professionals from business life in China. It is funded by NORAD, and the total project frame is NOK 5 million.

The main part of Chinas population (around 80%) lives in rural areas. Living conditions are quite different form those in the cities, and the potential for and needs for improvements are huge. One of the most indigent Chinese provinces (Inner Mongolia) has been selected as a pilot for capacity building, know-how transfer and implementation of various low cost, yet high impact measures (by using mostly well known technology) to improve on energy conditions and lowering emissions to the environment. The autonomous region of Inner Mongolia is the third largest province in China, and its forest and grassland are among the largest and most significant in China. 

Some of the measures that are being assessed are as follows; Utilization of biomass for energy production, e.g. increased exploitation of discharge products from agriculture for energy production, installation of small scale district heating and CHP systems, increased energy efficiency of buildings (improved insulation and windows, reduced leakages, heat recovery, heat pumps etc.) and more.

The main aim is to develop a market for energy efficiency and environmental improvement services in Inner Mongolia. A study/evaluation of current energy efficiency and environmental status on-site in selected municipalities have been conducted and will be the basis of introducing “simple” yet well-known technologies. Further, the documentation of the effect of these measures will be conducted in order to enable multiplication of the effect in other locations. These technologies and services will naturally be made accessible to Chinese local governments and business societies.

This will in time result in a market, demanding energy efficient technologies and services, not only because they are environmental friendly but also because they are economically profitable. This will lead to quantifiable reductions in energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases at the same time as Chinese business will be able to offer competitive services and product required by the market. In order to develop a sustainable market, it is considered crucial that Chinese companies and organisations are involved in the programme (as beneficiaries) and that focus must be equal on economical profitability as well as the environmental benefits.

The programme contains combined capacity building and project development. This approach will initiate a permanent competence building on sustainable energy solutions in the selected municipalities in Inner Mongolia.

The picture shows a typical village residence in the poor areas of Balin Zouqi, Inner Mongolia (photo by BRS)