A set of technical standards to support the low-carbon transition of China’s energy system should be established by 2025, the National Energy Administration (NEA) has stated in an action plan for energy standardisation.
Technical standards provide requirements to ensure materials, products and processes are fit for purpose. China views them as a vital tool for guiding its energy system towards carbon peaking before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.
The new standards will try to promote the adequate supply and “safety” of energy while working to upgrade the energy supply chain and lower its emissions footprint, Lin Boqiang, director of the China Centre for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University told Global Times.
Three objectives were mentioned in the document: to guide further development of non-fossil energy sources; formulate technical standards related to emissions reductions for energy supply chains; and revise the energy efficiency standards for conventional energy production, conversion, transmission and utilisation.
Wang Weiquan, general secretary of the Energy and Environment Professional Committee under the China Energy Research Society believes that standardisation can play a leading role in the energy transition. Regarding the energy storage industry, he said the rapid advancement of technology made it difficult for the original standards to serve as guidance for current applications.
In addition to domestic improvement, China is striving to play an increasing role in the formulation of international standards too.
Zhao Xiangeng, the director of the “China Standard 2035” Project, told the media that “China is at the core of international standardisation efforts for solar power… and has led the formulation of seven international standards for grid-connected renewable energy”. But he admitted that there is plenty room for improvement as China is not leading standard-development for many technologies critical for carbon neutrality.
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