The coal-to-electricity project (CTEP) using electricity instead of coal for heating is a significant measure to cope with climate change and air pollution in China. After years of development, the CTEP has been implemented on a large scale of areas in Beijing. An evaluation model is proposed in this paper to analyze the environmental benefits and assist in determining whether the CTEP should be continued. Firstly, the heating system and framework of this paper are introduced. We also analyzed the feasibility of CTEP, illuminating how electric heating benefits the environment. Secondly, the evaluations models of CTEP are built, including reduction of coal, pollutant emission, and overall benefit. Finally, based on the models results are obtained and discussed and prove environmental benefits of CTEP. It is calculated that 18 kg of coal per unit heating area can be saved in the CTEP, which effectively reduces 98% of PM2.5, 95% of SO2, 44% of NOX, and 81% of CO2 emissions. The CTEP has increasing contribution to the reductions of atmospheric pollutants. The considerable environmental benefits demonstrate the significance of the CTEP in the north of China, which also facilitate its future development in areas outside of Beijing.
Keywords: Air pollution; Air source heat pump; Carbon emission; Coal-to-electricity project; Emission reduction; Environmental benefits evaluation.