Factors Affecting the Economics of Distributed Natural Gas-Combined Cooling, Heating and Power Systems in China: A Systematic Analysis Based on the Integrated Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory-Interpretative Structural Modeling (DEMATEL-ISM) Technique

As a clean and efficient energy, natural gas is the main driving force for China’s energy transformation and the realization of green energy development. Distributed natural gas combined cooling, heating and power (DNG-CCHP) is the main utilization method of distributed natural gas with many advantages. However, the economics of China’s DNG-CCHP system are poor, hindering the healthy and sustainable development of the system in China. Thus, this paper systematically analyzes the factors affecting the economics of DNG-CCHP system in China. Firstly, through the analysis of the development status and obstacles of China’s DNG-CCHP system, the economic impact factor set of DNG-CCHP systems involving 34 factors is constructed. Then, the integrated DEMTTEL-ISM method is used to construct the multi-level hierarchical structure of influencing factors, the influence mechanism of the factors on the economics of DNG-CCHP system is systematically and comprehensively analyzed, and the path of improving system economics is proposed accordingly. Finally, based on the research findings and the development of China’s DNG-CCHP, the coordinated development of DNG-CCHP and distributed renewable energy was discussed, and several policy suggestions are put forward to contribute to the integration of distributed natural gas and distributed renewable energy.