An improved multi-period algebraic targeting approach to low carbon energy planning

Climate change poses a serious threat to both ecosystems and humans. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through low-carbon energy planning has become a major issue of universal concern for the international community. Renewable energy, carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS), and negative emission technologies (NETs) are important carbon emissions reduction methods and technologies for low-carbon energy planning. This study integrates the algebraic targeting approach in low-carbon energy planning with multi-period energy planning. An improved multi-period algebraic targeting approach is proposed, which enables NETs to better perform their risk-hedging role while enabling the multi-period planning deployment of various energy sources, GHG emissions reduction methods, and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. Depending on the length of the energy planning period, the improved multi-period algebraic targeting approach can be divided into short and long periods. Two policy scenarios in China's long-term low-carbon development strategy under the background of the Paris Agreement were considered as cases to illustrate this approach. The results show that the improved multi-period algebraic targeting approach enables the optimal deployment of resources and technologies in low-carbon energy planning while reducing the pressure to reduce GHG emissions upfront.