Towards a cleaner domestic heating sector in China: current situations, implementation strategies, and supporting measures

Due to the large amount of coal supply with relatively lower prices, coal-fired cogeneration units and heat-only boilers have been the major heating sources in northern China for a long period. However, flue gas emissions from such devices caused serious environmental problems in winter and posed great health risks to the public. Therefore, it is imperative to improve air quality and promote clean heating. At the end of 2016, an ambitious clean heating plan was promulgated jointly by several government departments in China. Although the top-level design of clean heating has been given, misconceptions still exist among basic-level policymakers and local heat suppliers. In this paper, the basic concepts and scopes of clean heating are clarified at first. Then, based on the related statistical data, the main challenges of clean heating reformation have been found. Heat source improvements and energy-efficient retrofits are the two crucial strategies for achieving clean heating. In addition, institutional and economic supporting measures are also indispensable. By conducting a brief discussion, a conclusion can be drawn: apart from clean energy substitution, clean coal technologies, energy-efficient retrofits of the existing distribution network and buildings, and clean heating implementations in rural areas should also be paid much attention