The relationship between urbanization and domestic energy consumption: An empirical study of Shandong province, China

The rapid development of urbanization has led to a rapid increase in total energy consumption. The proportion of domestic energy consumption to total energy consumption has gradually increased and has become the major driving force for energy consumption. With the pressure from urbanization and domestic energy consumption, it is necessary to study the impact of urbanization on domestic energy consumption of the regional level and to explore the function paths of these two factors. The findings are helpful to realize sustainable development based on the actual situation analysis, horizontal survey data and statistical yearbook panel data. The current situation and changing trends in domestic energy consumption of Shandong Province are systematically examined through field investigation and survey questionnaire. The time-series econometric model is applied to analyze the relationship between urbanization rate and total domestic energy consumption. The research results show that the total domestic energy consumption and urbanization rate of Shandong are generally increasing. The urbanization rate development and domestic energy consumption have a long-term stable and balanced relationship. An increase in urbanization rate can cause an increase in domestic energy consumption. There is a slight difference between the average total energy consumption levels of urban and rural residents, but their energy consumption structures differ a lot. These findings provide basic data support and reference for local governments to formulate energy-conservation and emission-reduction policies. © 2021, Tech Science Press. All rights reserved.