Coal life-cycle analysis embedded with land–energy nexus of a coal-based city in China

• Published in: Resources, environment and sustainability environment and sustainability, 2023-06, Vol.12, p.100109, Article 100109
• Main Authors: Wu, Huijun, Wang, Qianqian, Xu, Yuhuan, Ye, Yuanyuan, Zeng, Xiaoyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coal life-cycle; Coal-based city; Embed; Land–energy nexus; Substance flow analysis
• ISSN: 2666-9161; 2666-9161
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resenv.2023.100109

Land and energy play key roles in coal-based cities where the extensive exploitation and use of coal resources have resulted in resource abuse and serious pollution. Here, we used substance flow analysis integrated nexus theory to establish a new model for coal life-cycle analysis embedded with land–energy nexus. The coal life-cycle includes coal mining, coal processing, product utilization, and waste disposal. Then we firstly apply the model to analyze land use and energy consumption of Huainan City which is a typical coal-based city in China from 1990–2020. The results show that the unit land use decreases from 11.33 ha/GWh in 1990 to 7.20 ha/GWh in 2020 and the unit energy consumption also decreases from 474.08 tce/GWh in 1990 to 320.52 tce/GWh in 2020. However, the total land use and energy consumption in Huainan city increased by 365% and 395%, respectively. The indirect land use and indirect energy consumption accounted for 85% and 0.3%, respectively. Product utilization stage contributed the largest land use and energy consumption, accounting for 80% and 95%, respectively. Then we conducted sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis and find that the land use and energy consumption in high-efficiency development scenario will be 9%–20% lower in 2030 than other two scenarios. Finally, we explored some policies to reduce land use and energy consumption of the city, including increasing the demand for alternative energy, popularizing technology, implementing a safe, efficient, and green mining. The new model and first application on coal-based city hope to not only provide foundation for researching nexus theory, but also promote sustainable development of other resource-based cities in China. [Display omitted] •A new model of coal life-cycle analysis embedded with land–energy nexus is established.•Temporal land use and energy consumption in a coal-based city were analyzed.•Both land use and energy consumption composing direct and indirect parts increased.•Indirect land use and direct energy consumption occupied the largest parts, respectively.•Product utilization especially mining and manufacturing contributed the largest.