Assessment of concentrated solar power generation potential in China based on Geographic Information System (GIS)

Concentrated solar power (CSP) technology can not only match peak demand in systems but also play an important role the carbon neutrality pathway worldwide. Actions China is decisive. Few previous studies have estimated CSP technology’s generation and CO2 emission reduction potentials China. To address this knowledge gap, geographical, technical, potential of was evaluated by province based on a high resolution geographical information system with up-to-date data. A comprehensive framework including geographic technical constrains proposed. Exclusion criteria radiation, slope, land-use type, natural reserve, water resources were adopted to determine suitability plant construction. Then, conversion efficiency difference from various technologies, calculated suitable land. The results show that approximately 1.02 × 106 km2 land available support development Based resource land, 2.13 1015 kWh. installed capacity 2.45 107–5.40 107 MW, considering four technologies. corresponding annual energy 6.46 1013–1.85 1014 Considering scenario using replace current supply maximum extent, would been reduced 5.19 108, 5.61 6.24 108 t 2017, 2018, 2019, respectively. At provincial level, more than 99% China’s concentrated five western provinces, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Gansu, Tibet. These provide policy guidance serve as reference for future site selection construction both