US, China Sign Eight Clean Energy Partnerships at S&ED

By Elise Pietro

On the sidelines of this year’s annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue, the United States-China Climate Change Working Group announced eight clean energy projects that pair businesses, municipalities, and research institutions from both countries. Of the eight joint projects announced in Beijing, four focus on carbon capture, utilization, and storage, while four support smart grid technology.

Deals include a synthetic gas production partnership between Seattle-based Summit Power Group and Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute. The two groups will also conduct joint research on carbon-enhanced oil recovery technology. Besides the Summit Power deal, Shanxi Coal International Energy Group will join the University of Kentucky and Air Products and Chemicals Inc. to study carbon capture for coal-fired power plants.

Since the Climate Change Working Group’s creation in April 2013, China and the United States have passed stricter fuel efficiency and emission standards, developed new technologies, and coordinated data tracking. The two countries are the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gasses, and together are responsible for more than 40 percent of total global emissions.

Many critics argue that until China and the United States crack down on pollution, there is little incentive for the rest of the world to do so. Continued progress from both sides is especially important ahead of next year’s United Nations climate change summit, said officials attending the S&ED. At the signing ceremony for this year’s round of deals, Secretary Kerry remarked that working together towards a clean energy future was a “win for China, [a] win for America, and [a] win for the world.”

Other partnerships announced at the event include one between China’s Yanchang Petroleum and West Virginia University and another between the University of Kentucky, Schlumberger Carbon Services Co., and Sinopec Corporation’s Shengli Oilfield Company. The smart grid projects will take place at the Philadelphia Navy Yard; Qianhai, Shenzhen; Irvine, California; and the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City.