Work

Coordinated generation, transmission, storage, and demand planning accelerates cost-effective decarbonization in China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Increasing shares of renewable energy (RE) are reshaping power systems and creating unprecedented challenges in the spatiotemporal synergy of power generation, transmission, storage, and demand (GTSD). Existing fragmented planning strategies inadequately address resource mismatch and the trade-off between RE penetration and cost efficiency. Here, to accelerate the low-carbon transition, we develop a spatiotemporal multi-objective model for China's power system that optimizes GTSD by minimizing transition costs and maximizing RE penetration. Our results indicate that carbon neutrality can be reached by 2053, 7 years earlier than under the business-as-usual scenario, with an 18.1% reduction in system costs. The synergistically optimized layout increases generation and storage capacities by 24.8% and 95.4%, respectively, and reduces interregional transmission requirements by 15.5%. As a result, the RE share in installed capacity and power generation rises by 8.1% and 16.7%, respectively. This study provides a replicable synergy framework to guide cost-effective decarbonization of power systems.

Source: Cell Reports Sustainability

DOI: 10.1016/j.crsus.2026.100774

Authors: Shiwei Yu, Shuangshuang Zhou, Ya-Fang Sun, Bin Su, Yi-Ming Wei

Institutions: China University of Geosciences, National University of Singapore, Energy Studies Institute, Beijing Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Integrated Energy Systems Optimization

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

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

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,730