Analysis of the non-linear impact of digital economy development on energy intensity: Empirical research based on the PSTR model

With the rapid development of digital technologies, digital economy (DE) gradually plays a crucial role in changing the pattern of economic and social development. However, the relationship between the DE and energy intensity is still unclear. To fill this gap, this investigation firstly evaluates the development level of the DE of 30 provincial regions in China from 2013 to 2021. Then the non-linear relationship between the DE development and energy intensity is investigated based on the panel smooth transition (PSTR) model taking real GDP, urbanization rate, the proportion of the secondary industry in GDP, R&D funds for industrial enterprises above designated size, and foreign direct investment as transformation variables. The empirical analysis testifies that the DE development can promote the energy intensity and the relationship between the DE development and energy intensity tends to be an invert U shape under the influence of five transformation variables. Values of conversion variables in most provincial regions have not cross thresholds. Especially, the influence coefficients of the DE development on energy intensity have great space to decline under the impact of urbanization rate and the proportion of the secondary industry in GDP. Therefore, the industrial structure should be continuously optimizing and the process of green urbanization should be accelerating. Moreover, it is necessary to stimulate the integration of digitalization technologies and energy system so as to improve energy allocation efficiency and realize energy conservation and emissions reduction.