In response to the global and national trend of structural energy transformation, the 2017 Energy Transition Development Forum for Resource-based Regions was held in Shanxi's capital Taiyuan on Dec 2.

Facing global climate change, the transition of world energy resources into a green, diverse, safe and efficient sustainable energy system has become the major industrial concern of our era.

The 2017 Energy Transition Development Forum for Resource-based Regions takes place in China (Taiyuan) Coal Trading Center, Taiyuan, on Dec 2. [Photo/stdaily.com]

More than 20 well-known academics and experts from energy fields delivered speeches and discussed energy supply, technological innovation and economic policies, all with a focus on energy transition in resource-based regions.

"The energy revolution is a long-term process that should result in the building of a modern energy system," said Xie Kechang of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

"The cleanup of the modern energy system focuses on fossil fuels. Low-carbon is mainly used for non-fossil fuels. Safety and efficiency are the common requirements for both, since the clean and efficient use of coal is also a kind of clean energy."

Coal will remain the dominant energy in China. Ni Weidou, a professor of thermal engineering at Tsinghua University said that by 2014 per capita consumption of standard coal equivalent hit 3.1 tons per year, much less than the United States, Germany, France and Japan. According to Ni, clean coal technology is destined to be the most important solution for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in China after 2030.

Attendees discussed other issues such as power system reform, the practices of energy networking, and the future of a restructured and upgraded coal industry.

The forum provided many opportunities for advancement of transition and upgrading programs for Shanxi, a vital energy base and major coal producer in China. The province regards energy upgrades as an important driving force in regional development.

Shanxi will continue to promote the clean and efficient development and utilization of coal resources. Focusing on optimizing existing energy structures, the province will promote greener consumption of energy and technological innovation in energy resources, working to deepen reform while expanding cooperation.

Vice-governor of Shanxi province, Wang Yixin, addresses the forum on Dec 2. [Photo/China Economic Times]