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Community Energy Solutions
John Herbert
REA (Registered Energy Assessor)
Energy is used across all the sectors in a community, electricity for
business, housing and industry, accounts for some 90 percent (60%) of
the total generation in Hong Kong and more than 60% of the GHG
emissions. And a very small portion is generated from renewable
sources. Most of the power is generated at distant generating
stations, and a byproduct, waste heat is dumped into nearby the air
or into the sea.
In most communities, grouped for statistical analysis, the "built
environment" sector is largely independent of the others when it comes
to energy use.
Community Energy Solutions (CES) make use of the
opportunities that come from treating the built community environment
as a system not a group of individual units.
What are CES?
As their name suggests, CES take advantage of opportunities to improve
energy efficiency beyond an individual building or house to encompass
whole communities.
CES also consider not only buildings, but how energy is supplied and
consumed in all sectors including transportation; land-use planning;
industry; water management; waste management and others.
By taking a more holistic approach to energy supply and demand, CES provide a
more effective way to manage energy to the benefit of an entire
community from using waste heat from industry to heat other
buildings to community planning that encourages walking, cycling and
use of public transit and achieve savings beyond those
possible by approaching each sector independently.
CES community can be a rural area, a neighbourhood or a large city and
includes both high- and low-technology solutions.
These solutions could include heating buildings and homes with waste heat from industry;
situating buildings to make the most of the energy from the sun; more
accessible walking and cycling routes. And built-in connections to help
emerging low-emission technologies such as plug-in electric vehicles
gain ground.
These are solutions that can be applied to new developments, existing
neighbourhoods and even whole regions.
Community & Local Benefits
Because CES increases energy efficiency and the use of renewable
energy, they are seen as a promising new way to reduce greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions. Early studies suggest that CES could reduce GHG
emissions of communities by as much as 40 to 50 percent. More work
is currently underway to improve the understanding of the role CES
could play in meeting GHG goals.
Equally as important, the benefits of investing in CES go beyond increased
energy efficiency and reduced emissions, to include more livable cities
and a better quality of life for citizens; improved air and water
quality; local economic stimulation; reduced exposure to fluctuations
in energy prices; and communities that are more competitive and
attractive to new investment.
To start saving money call the energy experts today!
About Kelcroft
A professional energy consultant,Kelcroft provides bespoke advisory services helping
your community reduce its energy costs, save money and shrink your carbon footprint.
We develop appropriate energy management strategies that will positively
impact your bottom-line and benefits the environment.
About the Author
John Herbert is a
veteran chief engineer with more than 30 years international engineering experience, educated in
the United Kingdom, he worked in the UK and then across Asia for more than two decades
engaged by international and local companies. He is a Hong Kong Registered Energy
Assessor (REA) and BEAM Professional, and is stationed in Hong Kong.