[Potential of renewable energy development on abandoned mine areas: A case study in Liao-ning Province, Norheast...

Under the background of domestic and international pressure of carbon emission reduction and the requirement of energy structure adjustment, renewable energy development is under great pressure in China. Renewable energy development on abandoned mine areas has great potential due to its large area. It has great significance to develop renewable energy on abandoned mine areas for China's energy strategy. This study proposed the development scenarios of biomass energy and solar energy and estimated the development potential of renewable energy on abandoned mine areas in Liaoning Province. The results showed that the area of abandoned mine areas in Liaoning Pro-vince is 1227.6 km², the potential of renewable energy development is large, and the potential of renewable energy in each scenario is quite different. In scenario 1, with the goal mode of maximizing the generation of photovoltaic power, the total generating capacity is 79.4 TWh, the total coal discount is 32.1 Mt standard coal, and the carbon reduction is 79.1 Mt CO₂. In scenario 2, with the goal mode of maximizing biomass energy utilization, the total power generation from photovoltaic and biomass energy is 31.2-33.1 TWh, the total coal discount is 12.7-13.4 Mt standard coal, and the carbon emission reduction is 31.1-33.0 Mt CO₂. In scenario 3, with the goal mode of maximizing comprehensive utilization of mine energy and consideration of ecological restoration, the total gene-rating capacity from photovoltaic and biomass energy is 62.3-63.7 TWh, the total coal discount is 25.1-25.7 Mt standard coal, and the carbon emission reduction is 62.1-63.5 Mt CO₂. Under the three scenarios, the generation capacity range of is 31.2-79.4 TWh, accounting for 15.3%-38.9% of the total power consumption in Liaoning Province in 2016, which could be converted into 12.7-32.1 Mt standard coal, and contribute to a reduction of 31.1-79.1 Mt CO₂ emission. The calculations of new energy development potential on abandoned mine areas and quantification of its capacity of alternatives to fossil energy will be helpful for carbon emission reduction, energy structure adjustment, and the recovery of the mining ecosystem.