This report defines the concept of district cooling and summarizes its benefits and challenges then presents technologies used in the process---including stand-alone as well as integrated or cogeneration (or even trigeneration) solutions. It also discusses business models followed in the district cooling sector and considers the financial feasibility of district cooling projects and goes over the various regulations regarding district cooling. The report then looks into how district cooling has developed worldwide and examines the district cooling market in the People's Republic of China, then recommends steps that should be taken for the further development of district cooling in the country.

People’s Republic of China—Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Selected Issues

This sector directional guide describes the context and rationale that will guide the agenda of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in supporting developing member countries with financing, knowledge, convening ability, and technical assistance to ensure improved the coherence, relevance, efficiency, and effectiveness of ADB’s energy sector investments. It outlines the priorities and focus for the energy sector in line with Strategy 2023. The guide is designed to be a living document, to be updated as needed to remain relevant to the dynamic development context of Asia and the Pacifi c. A midterm review will be conducted following the expected review of the Energy Policy in 2025.

Nearly 40% of the world’s population use open fires or simple stoves that burn wood or coal for heating. The inefficient combustion of these solid fuels deteriorates air quality, causes severe health problems, and generates significant carbon dioxide emissions. The impacts are aggravated in peri-urban and rural communities that lack access to clean district heating options. There is a need to identify and deploy appropriate decentralized clean heating solutions to replace coal-based heating. This publication presents an overview of clean heating technologies and the results of a pilot in northern People’s Republic of China. The country’s clean heating policy framework and the lessons learned from the online clean heating monitoring platform can guide the development of similar tools. The report provides recommendations in developing clean heating programs to stimulate market transformation toward more efficient and low-carbon heating.