The Functional Orientation and Transformation Rationale of Natural Gas Within China's Novel Energy System Amidst the Dual Carbon Target

Authors

  • Zhiwei Zhang School of Economics and Management, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, China
  • Zhifei Tao School of Economics and Management, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, China
  • Shiying Song School of Economics and Management, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, China
  • Xuan Chen School of Digital Economy and Management, Sichuan Technology and Business University, Meishan, Sichuan, 620036, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/raq6yc35

Keywords:

New Energy System, Natural Gas, Functional Positioning, Energy Transition

Abstract

Under the dual constraints of carbon neutrality goals and energy security, the strategic positioning of natural gas in China 's new energy system is undergoing a profound reshaping. Among the three major fossil fuels, only natural gas has not been set as the upper limit of consumption peak. This policy signal highlights the special strategic value of natural gas. This paper systematically analyzes the historical evolution of natural gas function orientation from the theoretical level, and demonstrates the triple functions of natural gas under the goal of carbon peak carbon neutralization, that is, the ballast function of energy security dimension, the regulator function of power system dimension and the key link function of multi-energy coordination dimension, and reveals the transition logic of natural gas from supplementary energy to basic pillar energy and its driving mechanism and constraints. It is believed that natural gas is not a simple transitional energy, but a strategic energy with both support and flexibility in the evolution of energy system, and its functional transformation has inherent logical necessity.

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References

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Published

15-09-2026

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Zhang, Z., Tao, Z., Song, S., & Chen, X. (2026). The Functional Orientation and Transformation Rationale of Natural Gas Within China’s Novel Energy System Amidst the Dual Carbon Target. International Journal of Energy, 10(1), 44-47. https://doi.org/10.54097/raq6yc35