۱٫۱٫ Background

“Haze-fog” was China’s annual buzzword in 2013. The primary pollutant of haze-fog is PM2.5, fine particulate matter whose aerodynamic diameters is less than 2.5 mm and is harmful to health. In 2013, haze-fog invaded 25 provinces and more than 100 large-medium cities in China [1]. In central and southern north China and northern Jiangnan, the days of haze-fog in 2013 increased from 50 to 100 [2]. PM2.5 can penetrate deep in lungs because of its small size. Various chemicals are absorbed on its surface [3] and threaten transportation, safety and the environment. In China, nearly 71.6% of PM2.5 is from fuel combustion; coal contributes the most to PM2.5. In 2012, SO2, NOX and smoke-dust emission caused by the use of coal individually accounted for 93%, 70% and 67% of the total emission; PM2.5 emission related to the use of coal accounted for 63% of the total emission [4]. If the consumption mode of coal continues, haze-fog in China will be more serious. In addition to the threat of air pollution, the energy structure in China is unreasonable. In 2014, the consumption ratios of coal and renewable energies accounting for the total energy consumption were 66% and 1.79%, respectively, while the values for America were 19.7% and 2.83%, respectively [5]. An unreasonable energy structure is a great threat to energy safety. Additionally, the coal industry in China has been in a depression since 2012. The demand and supply for coal has declined; the coal price has slumped; and the benefits of coal enterprises have shrunk. The tragedy is that this trend continues in 2016. The coal industry in China should find a new and sustainable way to transform itself. In addition, many provinces in China, such as Gansu and Xinjiang, are suffering from heavy wind curtailment [6] that needs to be solved in addition to the coal utilization situation. The future development of coal in China has to meet this great challenge, and a new mode of coal utilization should be explored in China. Electricity is an efficient energy source with no pollution emissions. We consider that if electricity power is substituted for coal to meet the needs of daily life and production, problems such as air pollution and energy structure optimization can be solved. Therefore, the present paper provides detailed analysis regarding this issue.