Factors underlying rural household energy transition: A case study of China

• Published in: Energy policy 2018-03, Vol.114, p.234-244
• Main Authors: Han, Hongyun, Wu, Shu, Zhang, Zhijian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biofuels; Biomass energy production; Case studies; Commercial energy; Consumption; Correlation; Correlation analysis; Energy; Energy consumption; Energy management; Energy policy; Energy transition; Household appliances; Household energy transition; Household size; Households; Influencing factors; Motorcycles; Panel data; Prices; Residential energy; Rural areas; Rural communities; Rural energy consumption; Stoves; Substitutes
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2017.11.052

This paper identifies factors underlying the energy transition of rural households in China. Based on province-level panel data for years of 1991–2014, it indicates that there exists the energy stacking process of rural household energy transition, characterized by the significant consumption inertia effects of traditional biomass energy (TBE), traditional commercial energy (TCE) and advanced commercial energy (ACE), respectively, the insignificant substitution effect of TCE and ACE for TBE, and the significant partial substitution of ACE for TCE. With regard to the factors underlying rural household energy transition: 1) per capita disposal income is negatively correlated with TBE, TCE and ACE consumption; 2) the number of motorcycles is positively correlated with TCE and ACE consumption; 3) the number of firewood-saving stoves and the price for ACE are positively correlated with TBE consumption; 4) household size and the number of motorcycles and the number of appliances are positively correlated with ACE consumption; 5) education level is positively correlated with TBE, but negatively with TCE consumption; 6) the number of rural energy management institutions is positively correlated with TBE, but negatively correlated ACE consumption; Therefore, some policy implications are discussed. •Household energy transition in rural China observes the energy stacking model.•There exists significant consumption inertia effect of TBE, TCE and ACE.•The substitution effect of TCE and ACE for TBE is insignificant.•The partial substitution of ACE for TCE is significant.•Implications include promoting new technologies, market reform and public education.