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Chinese Journal of Management Science ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (7): 347-358.doi: 10.16381/j.cnki.issn1003-207x.2024.1357

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Optimization of Waste-to-Energy Technology Portfolios Under the Carbon Trading Mechanism

Huanyue Chen, Junfei Hu(), Sijun Bai   

  1. School of Management,Northwestern Polytechnical University,Shaanxi 710129,China
  • Received:2024-08-07 Revised:2025-05-16 Online:2026-07-25 Published:2026-06-18
  • Contact: Junfei Hu E-mail:hujunfei@nwpu.edu.cn

Abstract:

The construction and operation of waste-to-energy technology represents an important direction for future sustainable development. For large-scale waste management enterprises, optimizing waste-to-energy technology portfolios is an effective strategy to achieve long-term returns and reduce investment risks. The China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) mechanism provides carbon reduction benefits for registered waste-to-energy projects, but carbon price fluctuations and related policy changes introduce additional risks to portfolios. The options with robust portfolio optimization are combined to construct a waste-to-energy technology portfolio model applicable to carbon trading mechanisms, aiming to address the selection and capital allocation optimization problems for different waste-to-energy technologies (waste incineration, agricultural and forestry biomass, biogas power generation, etc.). The model can quantify the impact of parameter fluctuations in uncertain environments and improve the accuracy of investment return forecasts by evaluating the value of flexible decision-making. Compared with traditional portfolio models, the model proposed in this study is more suitable for investment decision optimization under conditions of high uncertainty. It focuses on analyzing the impact of carbon trading market changes on the investment portfolio, designs multiple investment scenarios based on different market and policy changes, and conducts empirical analysis using waste-to-energy projects in Shaanxi, China as a case study. The results indicate that changes in the carbon trading market have a significant impact on waste-to-energy technology portfolio. Waste incineration, due to its higher average returns, holds a dominant position in the portfolio. Agricultural and forestry biomass technology, due to the additional consideration of fuel price uncertainty, experiences a significant decrease in investment proportion when carbon price volatility increases. Lowering the carbon emission baseline weakens project profitability, while increasing carbon prices can substantially enhance portfolio value. Moderate increases in carbon price volatility can enhance portfolio value, but excessive volatility may prompt decision-makers to adopt more conservative strategies, limiting portfolio value growth.

Key words: waste-to-energy, carbon trading mechanism, robust portfolio optimization, real options, technology portfolio

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