China promotes innovative development of energy sector: white paper

BEIJING -- China has implemented a strategy of innovation-driven development in its energy sector to address major issues and challenges such as energy resource constraints and climate change, according to a white paper released Monday.

The country has been improving the top-level design for energy policies relating to scientific and technological innovation, and making strategic plans for sci-tech development of the resources and energy industry till 2035, says a white paper titled "Energy in China's New Era" released by the State Council Information Office.

China has created a number of high-standard platforms for technological innovation in the field, including more than 40 key national laboratories and a group of national engineering research centers that focus on research into technologies for safe, green and intelligent coal mining, highly efficient use of renewable energy, energy storage, and decentralized energy systems, the white paper says.

It has also built more than 80 national energy research and development centers and key national energy laboratories for research in the key areas of coal, oil, natural gas, coal-fired power, nuclear power, renewable energy and energy equipment, all of which cover the vital and frontier areas of energy innovation.

The country has implemented major scientific and technological initiatives and projects in the sector, planning or carrying out research into fields including new energy vehicles, smart grid as well as clean and efficient use of coal and new energy-saving technology, the white paper says.

It has also accelerated the upgrading of conventional energy technologies and equipment, while supporting new business forms and models in this sector, it says.