Towards secure energy systems: Examining asymmetric impact of energy transition, environmental technology and digitalization on Chinese city-level energy security

This study aims to investigate the asymmetric impacts of energy transition (ETI), environmental technology (ENT), and digitalization (DEI) on energy security (ESI) across Chinese cities, addressing a significant gap in empirical research at the city level. We employ the Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) to analyze data from 275 Chinese cities over the period 2007–2020, examining the differential effects of positive and negative shocks in ETI, ENT, and DEI on ESI across various quantiles. Utilizing MMQR, the analysis yields several key findings: (i) Positive shocks in ETI benefit cities with high pre-existing ESI, while negative shocks surprisingly provide a temporary boost to low-security cities but ultimately hinder progress at higher levels. (ii) Positive shocks in DEI correlate with higher ESI, especially in cities with moderate to high baseline security, whereas negative shocks in DEI exhibit minimal influence on ESI. (iii) Positive shocks in ENT generally enhance energy security across all quantiles except the lowest, indicating that advancements benefit cities at various security levels. Notably, negative shocks initially decrease ESI at the lowest quantile but subsequently increase it at moderate to high levels. These findings highlight the complex, non-linear relationships between ETI, ENT, DEI, and ESI in Chinese cities. The study provides quantitative evidence for policymakers to develop nuanced strategies that balance energy transition, digitalization, and environmental technology advancements with energy security goals. Future research should explore the mechanisms underlying these asymmetric effects and their implications for sustainable urban development in China.