HK needs to enhance energy efficiency of buildings: experts

HONG KONG - The majority of electricity consumed in Hong Kong is used at buildings, therefore, fostering efficiency in the use of energy for buildings plays a crucial role in energy saving and development of a low carbon economy of Hong Kong, a professor said Monday here.

Speaking at the conference of Sustainable Development through Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Michael K.H. Leung, associate dean and associate professor of City University of Hong Kong, said that a survey in 2009 indicated that space conditioning and lighting account for majority of energy end-uses in Hong Kong, taking up 29 percent and 16 percent respectively.

Leung said that he and his team have been focused on the study of solution to enhancing energy efficiency of buildings, while Integrated Heat Pump, a system supplying air-conditioning and simultaneously recovering heat to produce hot water, were invented nine years ago and has been applied widespreadly in hotels and hospitals.

Last year, the system was updated to Heat Pump Air-Conditioner and Water Heater, which can be installed in private houses because of its small size. Energy saving amounts to 20 percent to 50 percent thanks to the system.

"Higher energy efficiency can be achieved by advanced technologies and innovations," Leung said.

The conference was held by the Council for Sustainable Development (SDC), appointed by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong to advise the Government on key priority issues related to promoting sustainable development in Hong Kong. Since its establishment in 2003, the SDC implemented stakeholder-led engagement process to gather public opinions on key sustainability issues.

In 2011, SDC has conducted a public engagement on the subject of "Combating Climate Change: Energy Saving and Carbon Emission Reduction in Buildings."

"Here in Hong Kong, 90 percent of the electricity consumed is used in buildings, and that accounts for 60 percent of our green house gas emissions," said Hon Bernard Charnwut Chan, chairman of SDC, and he believed that the way people use electricity in buildings is crucial to achieving energy efficiency and cost savings.

Some 400 people attended the one-day conference Monday, further exploring issues related to energy efficiency and conservation, sustainable environment and development of a low carbon economy, as well as sharing good practices in enhancing energy efficiency in buildings.