Hong Kong's buildings should be generating electricity, not using it
Ian Brownlee says tried and tested technology is available to enable Hong Kong buildings to tap our abundant solar energy for use; what's lacking is the leadership to push for change
This week is World Green Building Week, and it is observed in Hong Kong. The past approach to sustainable building design has largely focused on making buildings more energy efficient and reducing their carbon footprint. Maybe Hong Kong is now in a position to take a big positive step forward and make buildings energy producers.
With Hong Kong recording the hottest summer months ever this year, global warming seems more of a reality than ever. All of us have been affected by the heat in one way or another and I cannot help but wonder why Hong Kong doesn't make more of an effort to generate more of its energy from the sun.
Stand by any window and you can feel the heat energy coming in. Blinds come down to keep the sun out and then the air conditioner goes on and we use electric energy to cool the interior of the building. Unlike cooler climates, where energy use is highest at night for heating, our peak usage occurs during the day for cooling - when the sun is providing all of us too much "free" energy.
The solar energy business is well developed in Europe and mainland China, which are big producers of solar energy equipment. The technology is now well advanced. Throughout most places in the world, some form of solar energy generation is part of the plan to make better use of renewable energy.
Solar water-heating panels are on the roofs of many buildings in mainland China and Taiwan - multi-storey residential buildings similar to ours. Many also have solar panels which generate electricity. The technology is there, and it works.
Hong Kong tends to treat it as something not appropriate for our tall buildings, and it is not a significant feature in the government's review of future energy sources. If we are to use any renewable energy source, then solar seems the most logical choice - more so than wind.
Technology is also developing quickly that makes energy-generating windows possible. These clear windows allow light in and, at the same time, convert solar energy to electricity. Those behind the technology are developing designs suitable for glass-clad buildings, which now dominate Hong Kong.
