Analysis of heating energy consumption and carbon emission characteristics of public buildings in severe cold and cold zones based on monitoring data

The low carbonization of public buildings is an important link in China’s realization of the “dual carbon” goal, and mastering the characteristics of heating energy consumption and carbon emissions in public buildings is an important foundation for promoting its low-carbon transformation. The aim of this study is to analyse the heating energy consumption and carbon emission characteristics of public buildings in severe cold and cold zones, and explore the impact of different heating methods and energy forms on energy consumption and carbon emissions. Based on the monitoring energy consumption data of 283 public buildings, a correction method for carbon emissions from centralized heating in public buildings is proposed to address issues such as inaccurate accounting of heating carbon emissions and a lack of horizontal comparison of low-carbon transformation technologies. The different energy emission intensity accounting analyses of public buildings are conducted to compare the emission reduction potential of different heating methods. The results show that the average energy emission intensity of centralized heating, decentralized gas heating, and decentralized electric heating are 1.927, 1.823, and 1.708, respectively, indicating that centralized heating has the greatest potential for emission reduction. By systematically sorting and analysing the comprehensive energy consumption and carbon emission levels, the study focuses on the energy emission intensity of different heating technologies. In addition, the study quantifies the heating energy intensity values of urban coal-fired centralized heating transformation into gas, electricity, and biomass boilers, which can reduce up to 94.83%. The calculation model for clean energy transformation of urban centralized heating proposed in this study can effectively calculate carbon reduction, energy emission intensity, and transformation costs, providing data support for evaluating the application of urban centralized heating in green and low-carbon transformation.