Energy Efficiency in Industry
Enhancing energy conservation and efficiency in industry is key to a successful energy transition. The Sino-German Demonstration Project on Energy Efficiency in Industry leverages energy conservation potentials in energy-intensive industries, contributed to the GHG emissions reduction, and strengthened the private sector cooperation between both countries. Energy efficiency measures in participating companies saved about 1320 GWh of energy and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 440,000 tons per year.
Our Goal
In six pilot industry branches ranging from the manufacturing of cement, ceramics, glass fibre, pulp and paper, to a coal power plant, and an airport we leverage existing and economically viable energy efficiency potentials, with the subsequent goal of up-scaling the results and experiences to more industrial players across China.
Our Activities & Results
The first phase (2017-2019) centred around the implementation of energy diagnosis in six pilot industries (cement, ceramics, glass fibre, pulp and paper, a coal power plant, and an airport), while the second phase (2020-2022) focused on sharing and up-scaling international experiences and the results of the first phase in China.
Unleashing Energy Efficiency Potential, Upgrading Energy Audit Standard, and Boosting Business Collaboration
In 2018 and 2019, German and Chinese experts conducted energy audits in the pilot companies and proposed a total of 97 energy efficiency measures, of which 42% were implemented (2022 survey). The companies reported an annual CO2 emission reduction of 440,000 tonnes and a total energy saving of 1320 GWh – comparable to the primary energy consumption of a medium-sized German town. German companies participated in the implementation of some of the suggested measures.
This demonstration project supported Chinese authorities to update the Chinese energy audit standard (GB/T17166-1997), aligning it with the German norm DIN 16247. The update strengthens the role of energy audits in understanding and enabling energy-saving opportunities within China’s industrial sector.
Developing Technical Guidelines to Increase Efficiency and Reduce Emissions in Industry
During the second phase of the demonstration project (2021-2022), the Energy Partnership developed five industry-specific guidelines aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in the pilot sectors. These guidelines provide a comprehensive overview of key technical measures to unlock substantial energy-saving potential within these industries. They outline strategies for achieving deep decarbonisation, such as transitioning to green hydrogen as a fuel source or implementing carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) in hard-to-abate sectors. Through extensive roadshow events, over 200 representatives from both countries' private sectors, government entities, academia, and research institutions gained direct access to systematic technical guidance for decarbonising specific industry sectors.
The impact
Our Partners
- National Energy Conservation Center (NECC)
Downloads
- Technical Guideline on Energy Efficiency in Airport_EN (3 MB, PDF)
- Technical Guideline on Energy Efficiency in Cement Industry_EN (3 MB, PDF)
- Technical Guideline on Energy Efficiency in Ceramics Industry_EN (3 MB, PDF)
- Technical Guideline on Energy Efficiency in Glass Fiber Industry_EN (3 MB, PDF)
- Technical Guideline on Energy Efficiency in Pulp and Paper Industry_EN (6 MB, PDF)
- Energy Efficiency Project in Jintan EDZ_CN (8 MB, PDF)
Look into the future
In June 2023, China and Germany agreed on the establishment of a Sino-German dialogue and cooperation mechanism on climate change and green transformation. The reinforced cooperation will address 8 areas including industrial decarbonisation and energy efficiency and aims at further collaboration on energy intensive industries (e.g., the cement industry) through demonstration measures and pilot energy-saving and carbon reduction measures.