ENG-2020 — Page 282

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The Environment

the products' energy efficiency performance. New energy efficiency grading standards for air conditioners, dehumidifiers and compact fluorescent lamps took effect in December. After a 12-month transitional period, these products must bear energy labels with the new grading standards.

The E&M InnoPortal, launched in June 2018, promotes energy-related innovation and technology. It lists the service needs of various government departments, public organisations and the trade. Universities and start-ups can propose solutions to meet these service needs. At year end, the portal had collected more than 330 service needs and more than 660 suggested solutions. More than 110 field trials have started, with 16 of these related to energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The buildings now served by the government's district cooling system at the Kai Tak Development (being completed in phases to provide chilled water to non-domestic developments for air-conditioning) include the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Trade and Industry Tower, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, schools and shopping centres. The government plans to construct district cooling systems at Tung Chung New Town Extension and Kwu Tung North. When fully completed, the systems at these three districts will reduce total annual electricity consumption by 211 million kilowatt-hours, equivalent to a carbon reduction of 147,000 tonnes, compared with air-cooled air-conditioning systems.

Renewable Energy

The Paris Agreement highlights the need for wider promotion of renewable energy. In Hong Kong, new schools and educational buildings are subject to the government's target for providing renewable energy. Existing government buildings undergoing major renovation must incorporate renewable energy technology where technically and financially practicable.

To encourage the private sector to develop renewable energy, the government and the two power companies provide a Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme, enabling owners of private renewable energy systems to connect them to the power grid. Between 2018 and September 2020 the two power companies approved over 10,200 FIT applications. The government's Solar Harvest helps eligible schools and non-governmental welfare organisations install solar energy generation systems by funding the capital installation cost. By year end, over 350 applications had been received.

Both power companies use renewable energy. HK Electric operates an 800kW wind turbine on Lamma and a 1MW thin film solar energy generation system at Lamma Power Station, while CLP Power runs a 200kW renewable-energy generation system of solar energy generation panels and wind turbines on Town Island in Sai Kung.

Energy-efficient Buildings

Buildings account for about 90 per cent of the electricity consumed, so promoting their efficient use of energy is paramount to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Building Energy Code under the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance stipulates the minimum energy efficiency standards for major installations, including air conditioning, electrical installations, lighting, lifts and escalators. The ordinance also requires commercial buildings to conduct

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