Coupling of Rural Energy Structure and Straw Utilization: Based on Cases in Hebei, China

Abstract

China’s coal-based energy structure is the main reason for the current high-level air pollution and carbon emissions. Now in the North China Plain, the government is vigorously promoting “coal to gas” and “coal to electricity” in the country and the vast rural areas. The development and utilization of biomass resources in agricultural areas is also an effective means of replacing coal. We propose the idea of forming a complementary rural energy structure of “biogas, briquetting, electricity (BBE)” model based on centralized biogas production (CBP) and straw briquetting fuel (SBF) to improve the rural energy structure. This article uses emergy analysis methods to analyze actual cases. It needs to have strengths and avoid weaknesses in mode selection. The process of the analysis reveals the disadvantages and improvement measures. Under the current capacity load, the emergy input and output, eco-economic indicators, sustainable development indicators, environmental load indicators, and economic value have their own advantages and disadvantages. Assuming 100% capacity load, the indicators have great optimization space. Reducing labor input during the planting phase can effectively reduce emergy input. The government needs to provide corresponding support based on the strengths and weaknesses of the project to keep the project sustainability. The development of complementary integration based on local conditions is an important measure to optimize the energy consumption structure in rural areas and improve the ecological environment.

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“…Biogas slurry and biogas residue are also very high quality organic fertilizers. These organic fertilizers improve the quality of agricultural products, and promote the development of organic ecological agriculture and the circular economy [ 12 ]. It can be called a multi-win, and it is an important starting point for agricultural transformation and upgrading.…”

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“…It is an effective solution to guide the main body of agricultural production and operation to fuel the conversion of agricultural waste mainly composed of straw. The development and utilization value of biomass energy has been proved in recent years [ 9 ]. For example, wood pellet fuels are of great value in the energy transition to replace fossil fuels [ 10 ].…”