Role of energy value chain in carbon neutrality: A review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18686/cest.v2i4.192Keywords:
energy value chain; energy consumption; value creation; carbon emissionsAbstract
Value chain analysis is an important tool for optimizing operations and decision-making in enterprises. As the concept of sustainable development gains recognition worldwide, research on value chains is increasingly focused on sustainability. Traditionally, energy management and value management have operated in parallel with limited intersections. However, after the 2015 Paris Agreement set the goal of achieving net-zero emissions, carbon management has become integral to national strategies, necessitating a re-evaluation of traditional value chains. In this paper, the “energy value chain” is introduced, a novel concept that integrates energy consumption with value creation and carbon emissions, emphasizing the coupling relationships among “energy flow”, “value flow”, and “carbon flow.” From a review of current value chains in the power, steel, petroleum, and transportation industries, the specific energy value chain for each industry is defined and its rationale and effectiveness are discussed. This integrated analytical method provides a strategic tool for industries or enterprises to optimize energy consumption, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance competitive advantage.
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