2020年1-2月份，电力行业运行整体平稳，但受新冠肺炎疫情影响，电力行业主要运行指标增速均明显放缓。其中，电力、热力生产和供应业固定资产投资降幅扩大，且电源、电网投资增速双双下降。全国电源新增发电装机容量不及上年同期，全国发电设备容量低速增长，全社会发电量增速同比呈现负增长。全社会用电量同比明显下滑，各产业用电量增速较上年同期均明显回落，且第二产业和第三产业用电量同比均呈明显负增长。此外，电力、热力生产和供应业营业收入及利润总额增速均由正转负。

The installed capacity of thermal power plants in China was 1,144 GW at end-2018, representing 60.2% of the country’s total capacity, having increased by 3% y/y. Both the share in total capacity and the y/y growth rate have been slowing down in recent years, in line with the country’s decarbonisation strategy and targets. In terms of investment in the Chinese electricity sector, the thermal sources recorded an 8.3% y/y decline in investment to RMB 78.6bn in 2018, from RMB 85.8bn in 2017. The ongoing replacement of thermal power by renewable energy in China can be gauged by the fact that in 2018, out of a total 128 GW newly added installed capacity in China’s electricity sector, 73% went to renewable energy capacity. The thermal electricity in China is almost entirely generated by coal-fired power plants.

The report discusses different types of industrial refrigeration systems and components used for various applications. Industrial refrigeration systems are used for massive freezing and refrigeration plants that are usually involved in food & beverage processing, cold storage, and others. They are also used in the manufacturing industry. The report covers industrial systems offerings, which include industrial refrigerators and components. By component, the market is categorized into compressors, condensers, evaporators, controls, and others. Depending on refrigerant type, the market is divided into ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), and others. On the basis of application, the market is categorized into fresh fruits & vegetables; dairy & ice cream; meat, poultry, & fish; beverages; chemicals; pharmaceuticals; and others. By region, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Meter data management system (MDM) is a software that performs long-term data management and storage for the massive quantities of data delivered by smart metering systems. This data consists primarily of usage data and events that are imported from the head-end servers managing the data collection in automatic meter reading (AMR) or advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems. This system is a component in the smart grid infrastructure indorsed by utility companies. This also includes meter data analytics, the analysis of data emitted by electric smart meters that record the consumption of electric energy. The adoption of technological advancement in metering technologies facilitates for measuring and monitoring the information. Adoption of advanced Metering Infrastructure offers financial and operational benefits and eradicates the need of on-site meter reading, response to power outages, and improves energy theft detection. It also brings financial gains to various utility companies through lessening the equipment and maintenance costs. It is an integrated system of communication, data management systems, and smart meters that enable communication between utilities and consumers. For instance, the government of India sanctioned about 12 smart grid projects in 2019, which includes the implementation of advanced metering infrastructure. Therefore, the adoption of advanced metering infrastructure is encouraging the adoption & growth of the meter data management system market. Moreover, smart city initiatives by developing countries are expected to create lucrative growth prospects for the meter data management system market worldwide.

China’s natural gas output fall short of meeting the government’s ambitious aim to gradually replace coal with natural gas and reduce air pollution. The country’s heavy reliance on gas imports exposes its supply–demand balance to risks, which can lead to volatile gas prices. For example, when the demand for gas peaked in November 2017, the LNG price rocketed to a record high of RMB 7,000 per tonne. Therefore, China needs to urgently develop gas storage facilities to buffer the impact of demand peak. Despite holding vast reserves of unconventional gas with up to 124.67 bcm of newly discovered shale gas in 2018, producers must contend with China’s complex topography and the remote locations of its resources, which results in higher prices and longer time required for drilling.

Buildings are responsible for up to 24% of greenhouse gas emissions and account for over 40% of the world’s total primary electricity use. These numbers are increasing YOY due to the rising global population and improving living standards. The global landscape is likely to be confronted with energy shortage in the future, and unfavorable climate changes are quite evident. It has been established with sufficient evidence that the present energy generation system is not sustainable. There is a need to shift to renewable sources such as solar energy for clean and sustainable energy.