Sustainable development of clean heating in rural northern China: Locally tailored energy options

Locally tailored energy options can better contribute to the sustainable development of clean heating in northern China. Based on sustainable development theory, this study constructed a comprehensive evaluation index system for clean heating energy options in rural northern China. A fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) method was used to design locally tailored heating energy options. The results indicate that, first, the comprehensive selection capacity of clean heating energy varies across northern China, with most provinces occurring in the medium range. Second, electric and biomass heating should constitute the main future clean heating trend in rural areas in northern China. Third, natural gas or electric heating is more suitable for provinces with high economic and renewable energy technology levels, while clean coal heating is temporarily suitable for remote provinces with low comprehensive selection capacities. Fourth, provinces with significant resource advantages should develop corresponding heating energy sources, and heat pump heating should be encouraged as a priority in the future.