China Energy Outlook 2020 - Flipbook - Page 8
Conversion of Primary Electricity to Standardized Energy Units
To convert primary electricity into standardized energy units, this report uses the Direct
Equivalent Method unless otherwise noted, which is the same method adopted by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This method values primary electricity at its
calorific value, defined as 1 kWh = 3.6 megajoules (MJ) = 0.1229 kilograms of coal equivalent
(kgce).
China uses its own method, the Power Plant Coal Consumption method, to convert primary
electricity into standardized energy units based on the average amount of energy used in
power plants in a specific year, treating all primary electricity as if it were generated in a
thermal power plant. For the most recent year available (2017), this method values primary
electricity as 1 kWh = 8.8 MJ = 0.31 kgce.
Comparisons of the different methods used to convert primary electricity into standard units
are shown in the following table.
Primary Electricity
Conversion Method
Power Plant Coal
Consumption
Adopted by:
China
IPCC
U.S. EIA, BP, World
Energy Council,
IIASA
IEA, Eurostat, UN
Statistics
Conversion to
standard units
based on the
average heat rate
(kgce/kWh) of coal
fired plants in a
given year. 1 kWh =
8.8 MJ = 0.31 kgce
in 2017
Defined as 1 kWh =
3.6 MJ = 0.1229
kgce
Assumes 32.6%
(EIA) to 38% (BP)
efficiency
Assumes 33%
efficiency: 1 kWh =
10.9 MJ = 0.372
kgce
Assumes 100%
efficiency: 1 kWh =
3.6 MJ = 0.1229
kgce
Electricity source:
Nuclear energy
Hydropower
Renewable electricity
(solar PV, solar
thermal, and wind)
Direct
Equivalent
Partial
Substitution
Assumes 37% (EIA)
to 38% (BP)
efficiency
Assumes 37% (EIA)
to 38% (BP)
efficiency
Physical Energy
Content
Assumes 100%
efficiency for solar
PV and wind: 1 kWh
= 3.6 MJ = 0.1229
kgce
Assumes 33%
efficiency for solar
thermal: 1 kWh =
10.9 MJ = 0.372
kgce
Geothermal energy
Assumes 37% (EIA)
Assumes 10%
to 38% (BP)
efficiency: 1 kWh =
efficiency
36 MJ = 1.229 kgce
Sources: Kraan et al., 2019; Lewis et al., 2015; UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Statistics Division,
2018; U.S. EIA, 2019.