Work

Assessing the Impact of Industrial Robot Application on Urban Electricity Consumption in China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The widespread application of industrial robots in China has significantly enhanced productivity, yet their impact on the energy system remains underexplored. This study empirically examines the impact of industrial robot application (IRA) on electricity intensity using panel data from 281 Chinese cities spanning 2006 to 2019 and a two-way fixed effects model. The results demonstrate that for every one-unit increase in IRA’s penetration rate, total electricity consumption and industrial electricity consumption decrease by 0.01 and 0.032 units, respectively. The effect operates through several mechanisms, including technological innovation, industrial agglomeration, and structural optimization. Despite these overall positive trends, the influence of IRA on electricity consumption exhibits notable regional heterogeneity. Furthermore, the study uncovers evidence of spatial spillover effects, indicating that the electricity-saving benefits of IRA extend beyond their immediate regions to neighboring cities. This phenomenon also contributes to narrowing the inter-city electricity gap, fostering a convergence in electricity consumption patterns among cities. These findings underscore the potential of industrial robots as a viable policy tool for advancing energy conservation and emission reduction goals.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su18063068

Authors: Yicheng Zhou, Wenjie Ouyang, Yan Xie

Institutions: Hefei University of Technology, Tongling University

Language: English

Topic: Energy, Environment, Economic Growth

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896