2012 will bring another tariff hike for electricity customers in Hong Kong,  CLP and HKE governed under the  Scheme of Control  agreement with the HKSAR Government, CLP and Hongkong Electric propose 9.2 percent and 6.3 percent tariff increases respectively last week.  Criticized by all sectors, it should be no surprise that some “concessions” have been offered as an effort to placate government officials and the public. HKE’s latest proposal is 4.97 % increase for domestic users, and 6.08 % for businesses.  CLP is offering a 7.4 % increase.  However, as last with years hike, the structure of the proposal is more important than the actual percent figure cited, eventually somebody will have have to pay for the increased cost of fuel, if not this year, then next year.

UPDATE: CLP has reduced the electricity from tariff increase to 4.9%  [link]. However, looking at the details you should budget for a significant tariff increase in 2013.

- John A. Herbert, energyLAB Consultant

The Australian News is flooded with the senates decision to apply a tax on Carbon, pundits rail for and against, but accountable carbon is leading the way for consumers to pay the true cost of using limited resources.  A $23-a-tonne price will be imposed on about 500 businesses, the biggest polluters starting from July 2012, to be followed with a carbon trading scheme.

The carbon exchange rate, known as the emission factor varies depending on the fuel mix used, which varies between the different territories for the worst case Victoria the power generation emission factor is 1.23  (source National GreenhouseGas Account  Factors)  due the the larger proportion of coal fired power generation plants in Australia is significantly higher than Hong Kong’s 0.7 emission factor.

A small business in Victoria lets say uses 200,000 KWH of electricity per year, she would need to pay an extra carbon tax of approx. $ 5658 per year,  or put it another way, a 13.2% increase.  The key question will the increased cost provide sufficient financial incentive to encourage improved energy efficiency? Certainly, and any large businesses that hasn’t yet engaged an energy consultant they had better issue that RFP asap!

— John Herbert, Consultant, EnergyLAB

This is your chance to add your voice to the ban the bulb debate!  The estimated annual electricity consumption for non-reflector type Incandescent Light Bulbs (ILB) meaning GLS lamps, candle shape, fancy round and other decorative lamps, and tungsten halogen lamps is a staggering 900 GWh (2008) that is equivalent to approx. 2% of Hong Kong’s total electricity consumption.  The Hong Kong Government’s public consultation paper closes on 11 November 2011.

Here is link to download the consultation paper which outlines the Government’s proposal to restrict energy-inefficient incandescent lamps.  It is boiled down for easy consumption, in to three key questions:

1. Should Hong Kong restrict the supply of energy-inefficient Incandescent Light Bulbs (ILB) by mandatory scheme, voluntary measures or leaving it to market forces?

2. What types of Incandescent Light Bulbs (ILB) should be restricted if a mandatory scheme is introduced to restrict the supply of ILB?

3. Should Hong Kong adopt the MEPS approach in phasing out Incandescent Light Bulbs (ILB)?

Have your say before the deadline 11 Nov. 2011 deadline.

Will Hong Kong join the growing list, Australia and Europe? It’s difficult to judge, some types of decorative incandescent lamps are very popular here, and with no viable CF alternative, perhaps LED will provide the alternative? Banning the all type of Incandescent lamp may just open the door for alternative sources from across the border. As noted previously although Hong Kong is small place,yet it is without the means the handle mass fluorescent lamp disposal.

It also interesting that this consultation has been conducted by the Environmental Bureau, and no word from friends at EMSD.

I stumbled upon a useful resource for all facility operators about lighting (http://www.vesma.com) and sent the author a note with a few suggestions who graciously add my suggestions  ideas, here is the link: http://www.vesma.com/enmanreg/lighting/john_herbert_note.htm

EnergyLAB’s director, Mr John A. Herbert has nearly thirty years experience in the industry, and will conduct the following training course:

An Energy Management Systems (EnMS),  covering both ISO 50001 and BS EN 16001 will  be held on 14 April 2011,  here in Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Innocentre.

For registration and further information directly contact the organiser:  LNS Limited, Mrs Wong on Tel:  +852  2482 2901

Register today!  sign up before 1 April 2011 to enjoy the reduced early bird rate,  download the registration form  (PDF)  for Energy Management System ISO 50001 and BSI 16001 training

An Energy Management Systems (EnMS) training course, covering both ISO 50001 and BS 16001 will  be held on 21st February 2011, here in Hong Kong.  For registration and further information directly contact the organiser:

LNS Limited, Mrs Wong on Tel:  +852  2482 2901

Register today!

DISCOUNT – Register before 7th Feb 2011 to enjoy the 15% discount!

Download the flyer (PDF)  for Energy Management System ISO 50001 / BSI 16001 training

About the Instructor:

EnergyLAB’s director, Mr John A. Herbert has nearly thirty years experience and will conduct this training session.

If a reminder is needed, your electricity bill will be higher next year (2010), because  both of Hong Kong’s power generation utilities CLP (China Light and Power) and HKE (Hong Kong Electric) will raise their electricity tariff by 2.8%.

Links to the official announcement:

https://www.clpgroup.com/ourcompany/news/Pages/2010121405.aspx

http://www.heh.com/hehWeb/MediaCentre/PressRelease/Year2010/14122010_en.htm

For the Hong Kong largest consumers, that increase means extra millions will need to be found in the budget,  and that should drive energy efficiency improvements.

– John Herbert, Consultant

Unlike other events, this was focused more towards SME business, which has been largely left out of the EE arena, since most of government effort has been focused on State Owned Enterprise (SOE) and there industries.
Indeed we were fortunate to meet a number of vendors actively promoting EE and green products, and clients seeking improved energy efficiency solutions.

Energy auditing and energy assessments are still far from common place in China, and getting the message of fuel savings, results in cost and environmental savings is by no means an simple task. It is clear that advanced fuel saving designs including free cooling, heat recovery, and thermal storage need detailed explanation, and often met with disbelief.

Much if not all of this critical sector has expanded rapidly and is too focused on new/clean technology  in my view.  The holy grail for energy and environmental protection, it is not clean technology.  Sure, new technologies have been introduced such as LED lighting, and is gaining ground.

However, smart energy solutions depend on the correct application and operation, and if the operators burn electricity using LED lighting on all day because is consumes a little energy, we will be back to square one very shortly.  Facilities engineering solutions are not sexy, they often have no cost – those are the best solutions.

Additionally, one single technology will not be able to solve every type of problem, a classic example is the IMM (Injection Moulding Machine ) common across South China and the PRD.  Each machine has a heating, cooling, and hydraulic pumping components, and the energy conservation strategies would be different and dependent on the component.  Combining or bundling different solutions together, needs talented a consultant.

– John Herbert energyLAB Consultant

From our earliest days our parents drilled us about the roads, and road safety. Everyday, every opportunity it was hammered home — look left, look right, then look left again was one of the many rules of life pushed upon us.

As with road safety, we need to appreciate that “Energy Efficiency” is more than a one-time event – A wider carbon consciousness is needed.

Its more than a one-time event, its more purchasing a energy efficient  appliance.  Ultimately, energy efficiency must become full-time carbon consciousness that includes everything from turning off unnecessary lighting to replacing light bulbs to turning off appliances such as televisions when not in use.

A study from the United Kingdom [link] importantly highlights that carbon consciousness will save more than thought possible.  The study shows the gross carbon emitted is thirty percent (30%) higher than individually calculated outputs.  Dr Adam Hawkes author of the paper said:

“This means any reduction we make in our electricity use — for example, if everyone switched off lights that they weren’t using, or turned off electric heating earlier in the year — could have a bigger impact on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by power stations than previously thought.

Because we have only two power generators the outcome of this study will not impact the  carbon emission factors used in Hong Kong.  However, if we consider our neighbours, and S.E. Asia countries, higher emission factors offer the potential for more carbon savings — and carbon consciousness will have a greater impact than previously imagined.

-  John A. Herbert, Consultant

Mr John A. Herbert, director of energyLAB Limited, was pleased to announce that energyLAB will be one of the title sponsors for the HAESCO annual reception in May 2010.  He said “we must try and support this fledgling  industry”.  energyLAB conducts high level energy audits for organisations, including commercial properties and real estate.

energyLAB limited - bronze sponsor

HAESCO 18 May 2010

energyLAB - energy consultant logo

keynote by Ms Anissa Wong, JP HKSAR Permanent Secretary for the Environment / Director of Environmental Protection