Exploring the Spatial Distribution of Distributed Energy in China

Abstract

Expanding distributed energy supply can not only make up for the energy shortage, but also help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Existing studies often ignore the differences in the spatial distribution of distributed energy. To fill this gap, this article uses the geographically weighted regression model to investigate China’s distributed energy based on the 2003-2019 panel data. Empirical results display that the impact of technological progress on distributed energy varies across region, because technology investment varies from region to region. Energy infrastructure investment has a greater influence on distributed energy in the eastern region, since it invests more infrastructure construction funds. The energy consumption structure has a greater pulling effect on distributed energy in the central region, because this region has more coal resources. Foreign oil dependence has the greatest effect on distributed energy in the eastern region, since this region imports more oil. Similarly, urbanization has the greatest impact on distributed energy in the eastern region, because this region consumes more natural gas. Therefore, government managers should consider spatial heterogeneity when formulating distributed energy policies.

Keywords: Distributed energy, Spatial heterogeneity, Geographically weighted regression model