Optimal pathways toward a carbon-neutral power system considering low-carbon technologies in the Yangtze River Delta region

Because of its important role in China, many scholars have addressed the decarbonization of the Yangtze River Delta Region (YRDR). However, little work has been conducted on appropriate ways to transform the YRDR power system into a carbon-neutral system. This study develops an optimization model to...

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Main Authors: Yaru Zhang, Tieju Ma, Yadong Yu, Hongtao Ren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Management Science and Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096232025000113
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author Yaru Zhang
Tieju Ma
Yadong Yu
Hongtao Ren
author_facet Yaru Zhang
Tieju Ma
Yadong Yu
Hongtao Ren
author_sort Yaru Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Because of its important role in China, many scholars have addressed the decarbonization of the Yangtze River Delta Region (YRDR). However, little work has been conducted on appropriate ways to transform the YRDR power system into a carbon-neutral system. This study develops an optimization model to explore the optimal pathways toward a carbon-neutral power system in the YRDR by 2060. In addition to traditional power generation technologies, the model includes carbon tax (or carbon emission cost), carbon capture and storage (CCS), forest carbon sink (FCS), renewable energy, and energy imports from outside the YRDR. The main findings are as follows: (1) in the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, the YRDR's power system could reach its carbon peak by 2030, but it would not achieve carbon neutrality by 2060; (2) in the carbon neutrality scenario, FCS could mitigate 88 % of the carbon emissions of the YRDR power system; and (3) a high proportion of renewable energy could help transform the YRDR's power system to a carbon-neutral one, but would increase the cost by 44.8 %. The main policy implication is that implementing a carbon tax and promoting renewable energy, FCS, CCS, and other carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies should be considered together to transform the YRDR power system.
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spelling doaj-art-07ed101231204050914cc615e4c2da282025-08-20T03:18:13ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Journal of Management Science and Engineering2096-23202025-06-0110219320810.1016/j.jmse.2025.03.001Optimal pathways toward a carbon-neutral power system considering low-carbon technologies in the Yangtze River Delta regionYaru Zhang0Tieju Ma1Yadong Yu2Hongtao Ren3School of Economics and Management, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, 201418, ChinaAntai College of Economics & Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China; School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China; International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria; Corresponding author. Antai College of Economics & Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, ChinaSchool of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, ChinaBecause of its important role in China, many scholars have addressed the decarbonization of the Yangtze River Delta Region (YRDR). However, little work has been conducted on appropriate ways to transform the YRDR power system into a carbon-neutral system. This study develops an optimization model to explore the optimal pathways toward a carbon-neutral power system in the YRDR by 2060. In addition to traditional power generation technologies, the model includes carbon tax (or carbon emission cost), carbon capture and storage (CCS), forest carbon sink (FCS), renewable energy, and energy imports from outside the YRDR. The main findings are as follows: (1) in the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, the YRDR's power system could reach its carbon peak by 2030, but it would not achieve carbon neutrality by 2060; (2) in the carbon neutrality scenario, FCS could mitigate 88 % of the carbon emissions of the YRDR power system; and (3) a high proportion of renewable energy could help transform the YRDR's power system to a carbon-neutral one, but would increase the cost by 44.8 %. The main policy implication is that implementing a carbon tax and promoting renewable energy, FCS, CCS, and other carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies should be considered together to transform the YRDR power system.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096232025000113Yangtze River Delta RegionCarbon neutralityCarbon taxForest carbon sinkCarbon capture and storage
spellingShingle Yaru Zhang
Tieju Ma
Yadong Yu
Hongtao Ren
Optimal pathways toward a carbon-neutral power system considering low-carbon technologies in the Yangtze River Delta region
Journal of Management Science and Engineering
Yangtze River Delta Region
Carbon neutrality
Carbon tax
Forest carbon sink
Carbon capture and storage
title Optimal pathways toward a carbon-neutral power system considering low-carbon technologies in the Yangtze River Delta region
title_full Optimal pathways toward a carbon-neutral power system considering low-carbon technologies in the Yangtze River Delta region
title_fullStr Optimal pathways toward a carbon-neutral power system considering low-carbon technologies in the Yangtze River Delta region
title_full_unstemmed Optimal pathways toward a carbon-neutral power system considering low-carbon technologies in the Yangtze River Delta region
title_short Optimal pathways toward a carbon-neutral power system considering low-carbon technologies in the Yangtze River Delta region
title_sort optimal pathways toward a carbon neutral power system considering low carbon technologies in the yangtze river delta region
topic Yangtze River Delta Region
Carbon neutrality
Carbon tax
Forest carbon sink
Carbon capture and storage
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096232025000113
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