Issue 3. Renewable energy in Hong Kong and the World. Read the following information and answer the questions:

Transcription

1 Issue 3 Worksheet 1 Renewable energy in Hong Kong and the World Exercise Read the following information and answer the questions: 1. Renewable energy in Hong Kong: At present Hongkong Electric Co. has a power station located on Lamma Island., electricity generation was entirely carried out at Lamma Power Station beginning from 1990 (HEC, 2006a). Although the major generating units at Lamma Power Station are designed for dual-firing to maintain flexibility in fuel selection, over 99% of the fuel used is coal. The existing capacity of the Station is 3,420MW (HEC, 2006a). The Lamma Wind Turbine is Nordex s standard N50/800kW machine with a rotor diameter of 50 m and a rated power of 800kW (HEC, 2006b) By comparing the power generating capacity of different power station of Hongkong Electric Co., please list the energy source used for electricity generation and their percentage respectively. (Correct to 0.01%) W 33

2 CLP Company operates Castle Peak Power Station, Black Point Power Station and Penny's Bay Power Station (CLP Power, 2006a). Castle Peak Power Station (CPPS) is a coal-fired power generation plant. Commissioned in phases during the 1980s, CPPS now has a capacity of 4,108 megawatts (MW) (CLP Power, 2006b). Black Point Power Station (BPPS), is Hong Kong's first environmentally friendly natural gas-fired power station Upon completion of the final unit in 2006, the plant will have a total capacity of 2,500 MW (CLP Power, 2006c). Penny's Bay Power Station (PBPS) in eastern Lantau Island is an important strategic backup facility in CLP's generating system (CLP Power, 2006d). Guangdong Nuclear Power Station has two 984 MW pressurised water reactor generating units with a total capacity of 1,968 MW. CLP is contracted to buy 70% of the power produced by Guangdong Nuclear Power Station (CLP Power, 2006e). Guangzhou Pumped Storage Power Station CLP acquired capacity usage right for 600MW of the power station's output (CLP Power, 2006f). (Hydropower was used as energy source.) 1.2. By comparing the power generating capacity (Capacity is the expression of the amount of energy generated per second) of different power stations of W 34

3 CLP Power, please list the energy source used for electricity generation and their percentage respectively. (Assuming that backup system at Penny's Bay Power Station is not used.) (Correct to 0.01%) 1.3. Calculate the overall percentage of each energy source used for electricity generation in Hong Kong. (Correct to 0.01%) 1.4. Calculate the overall percentage of electricity in Hong Kong that was generated from renewable energy at Hong Kong, excluding electricity from mainland. (Correct to 0.001%) W 35

4 1.5. In this worksheet, the capacity (Capacity is the expression of the amount of energy generated per second) of electricity generation of power stations are used for calculation, can it reflect the true power usage in Hong Kong? 2. Renewable energy in the world Existing renewable electricity capacity worldwide totaled 160 GW in Large hydro totaled about 720 GW worldwide in ,800 GW installed capacity worldwide for all power generation. (REN21, 2005) Calculate the average percentage of electricity generated from renewable energy worldwide. (Correct to 0.01%) 3. By comparing the percentage of electricity generated from renewable energy of Hong Kong and average level worldwide, comment on the electricity generation using renewable energy in Hong Kong. What is the prospect of using renewable energy to generate electricity in Hong Kong? W 36

5 References 1. HEC, 2006a, Over 110 Years of Energy HEC, 2006b, Design, Construction and Commissioning CLP Power, 2006a, Our business CLP Power, 2006b, Castle Peak Power Station CLP Power, 2006c, Black Point Power Station CLP Power, 2006d, Penny's Bay Power Station CLP Power, 2006e, Guangdong Nuclear Power Station CLP Power, 2006f, Guangzhou Pumped Storage Power Station REN 21 (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21 st Century), 2005, Global Status Report, Global Market Overview. The WorldWatch Institute. W 37

6 Issue 3 Worksheet 2 Presentation on renewable fuel Introduction During the lesson, four types of renewable energy are briefly introduced. In this exercise, students are divided into groups. Each group chooses one topic from below: i. hydropower ii. iii. iv. wind solar energy geothermal energy v. biomass vi. tidal energy Each group is suggested to visit the following websites of the power companies using a particular renewable energy and use internet search machine to look for additional information. i. Hydro electric power: Tokyo Electric Power Company, Japan ii. Wind power: NaiKun Wind Development Inc., Canada. ( iii. Solar system: Pyramid Power Company, Australia. ( iv. Geothermal energy, Ormat, USA. ( v. Biomass W 38

7 ml vi. Tidal energy The presentation should cover the following areas: i. Its principle of electricity generation ii. iii. iv. The requirement and cost of electricity generation Advantages and disadvantages of this renewable energy Its potential as an energy source for electricity generation in Hong Kong v. Usage in worldwide level References 1. EMSD HK, 2006, New and Renewable Energy, 2. REN 21 (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21 st Century), 2005, Global Status Report, Global Market Overview. The WorldWatch Institute CREIN, 中 國 新 及 可 再 生 能 源 W 39

8 Issue 3 Worksheet 3 Forum: Should we use more renewable fuel to generate electricity in Hong Kong? Introduction 1. Hold a group discussion on the topic Should we have more renewable energy for generating electricity in Hong Kong? 2. Students should form groups and take up a role for each group before the lesson. Search for relevant information, and then discuss in groups about the topic. 3. During the lesson, the teacher holds a forum for discussion. Each group sends a representative to speak for its stance and tries to convince others to get support. 4. A conclusion should be reached among the class. It is suggested to be done by allocating a free discussion session and letting students to vote for or against the discussion topic. Students may choose one role from below: 1. local electricity company representative (HEC or CLP) 2. government representative 3. citizens 4. environmentalist 5. representative from foreign electricity company using renewable energy A role can be taken up by more than one group. The following websites provide some useful information: 1. EMSD HK, 2006, New and Renewable Energy, W 40

9 2. REN 21 (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21 st Century), 2005, Global Status Report, Global Market Overview. The WorldWatch Institute CREIN, 中 國 新 及 可 再 生 能 源 The following table is also for your reference. Table 1. The projected electricity generated from renewable energy in the world. Projected Electricity Generation from Renewable Energy (%) EU (2010) Japan (2010) USA ( 2020) Wind Photovoltaic (solar) Biomass Hydroelectric Others 0.23 ND 0.77 Total ND, not available. The following are some points on attitudes and arguments taken by for the different roles for your reference (If a student finds new arguments, the contents can be modified accordingly.): 1. Local electricity company representative Attitude: lowest cost and obey government regulations only, may consider about corporate image, but do not want to use renewable energy in large scale as this will increase cost. W 41

10 Arguments Cost of coal and natural gas is still much lower than renewable energy, and through installing equipments, the pollution created by fossil fuel can be minimized. Availability of renewable energy in Hong Kong is low. Pollution is compensated with company environmental friendly policies, e.g. local tree planting, fund for environmental education. For the benefit of citizens and stockholders, the cost should be as low as possible, using more renewable energy or open electricity market will lead to risk on the stability of electricity supply and stockholders. No government regulations were issued on the requirement of using renewable energy. Pioneer projects on using renewable energy to generating electricity has been started (onshore wind turbine built in Lamma Island for HEC and offshore wind turbine for CLP), and time is needed to test the feasibility of using renewable energy. 2. Government representative Attitude: will response to citizens concern on environmental issue and renewable energy, consider local electricity company as some of the major pollution source Arguments Contracts have been issued with local electricity companies, any kinds of changes can be only made after the old contract is expired, and new contract is renewed. Citizens concern about environmental issue and the effect of pollution on citizens health and the scene of Hong Kong as tourist attraction, so, pollution should be minimized, and using renewable energy is a method that is worth considering. W 42

11 Research has been done about renewable energy in Hong Kong, and use of renewable energy is suggested. But the Government should not control the market with strict regulations. It is electricity companies responsibility to choose the way to generate electricity. Hong Kong SAR Government has signed various international treaties, protocols on lowering various kinds of pollution, which could be helped to achieve by using renewable energy. 3. Citizens and legislative council members Attitude: diverse in attitude, but generally consider environmental protection and health issue caused by pollution to be important, and they hope to have electricity price as low as possible. Arguments Renewable energy should be used as it is environmental friendly Using renewable energy may lead to higher electricity price, but it is worthy with lower health issue caused by pollution, better scene in Hong Kong and better international reputation. By opening electricity market, competition between electricity companies will intensify. Electricity price could be lower while quality of electricity may increase. At the same time, renewable energy could be used as foreign companies will introduce new technologies on renewable energy. Opening electricity market may lead to instability in electricity supply and higher electricity price. 4. Environmentalist Attitude: protecting environment is more important than the capital investment used W 43

12 on renewable energy and the cost of electricity, and least impact should be done to local species and habitats. Arguments Renewable energy should be used as many as possible as it can lower the impact of human development to species and habitat. With better environment, our offspring can have a better planet to live. Wind is the most feasible source of energy. Hong Kong does not suit the use of large or even middle scale hydropower. Geothermal energy is not available; tidal energy and solar energy are expensive; biomass in Hong Kong is mainly from waste which needs to be collected and sorted. Electricity generated from these sources may not be sufficient as the main type in Hong Kong. Wind is accessible in Hong Kong and has the potential of supplying 5-10% of electricity in Hong Kong. The electricity market should be opened and subsidies may be needed to attract and support local and foreign electricity company to use renewable energy. 5. Representative from foreign electricity company using renewable energy Attitude: government should open market for them so that technologies can be introduced to Hong Kong and they can invest in Hong Kong. Arguments Electricity market should be opened so that electricity price can be lowered and renewable energy is used in Hong Kong. If they can invest in Hong Kong, they can benefit by having profit and citizens can benefit by less pollution. W 44

13 Suggested conclusion Incorporation of renewable energy to generate electricity helps solve the energy crisis. This is in favour for the world, China and Hong Kong for economic development. The local Government needs to open the electricity market in order to introduce more renewable and alternative energy to Hong Kong. There are many types of renewable energy available. It is difficult to specify a particular type for use as science and technology will advance and affects their cost-effectiveness. But the Government can lay down an open policy to encourage the use of renewable energy without specification of the types. W 45