Implementing Energy Conservation and Enhancing the Shopping Experience
Hong Kong is well known as a shopping paradise. In line with the trend
towards energy conservation and emission reduction in recent years, many malls
and shops have been adopting the CLP GREENPLUS programme for advice
and support in addition to placing efforts on offering consumers the best mix of
products and services, which has in turn enhanced energy efficiency and created
a more comfortable and safer shopping environment.
Shopping malls and retail stores often have daily operating hours up to 12
hours, and the demand for energy is substantial. Many Hong Kong malls and shops
improve energy efficiency through energy conservation measures, and have
therefore enhanced their competitive advantages while working to establish an
environment for sustainable development. The following companies are one of the
walking examples in such aspect.
Optimising system to achieve power savings and reduce carbon emissions
Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of the landmarks in Hong Kong, puts
great efforts on promoting environmental protection and energy conservation
information among customers and employees. Leveraging on CLP's support, the mall
has gradually optimized its own systems and equipment, including the
installation of solar power system as well as the upgrading of the thermal
performance of its existing water-cooled air conditioners. In addition, Harbour
City also switched to a heat-pump hot water system and installed 200 square
meters of solar panels for the serviced Gateway Apartments at the top level to
reduce energy consumption from the hot water system.
Mr. H.S.Ng, Senior Manager – Technical, Harbour City Estates Limited,
revealed that solely for the optimisation of the water-cooled air conditioning
system and the installation of heat pump system, about 5 million kWh of
electricity is saved annually, and carbon emission is reduced by about 2950
tons. In addition, solar panels have also saved about 118,000 kWh of electricity
and reduced more than 70 tons of carbon emission for the company.
"Energy conservation is a part of corporate social responsibility
that will benefit the development of our next generation." Ng said. Though there
may be challenges in the optimisation of systems and equipment, such as the need
to avoid any impact on tenants and consumers throughout the engineering work,
under CLP's support, all projects have been completed successfully. "Apart from
the above hardware, CLP's Meter Online and Energy Audit services also help us
with real-time monitoring to ensure that all energy is spent appropriately," Ng
added.