Analysis of Hong Kong's Wind Energy
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sustainability Article Analysis of Hong Kong’s Wind Energy: Power Potential, Development Constraints, and Experiences from Other Countries for Local Wind Energy Promotion Strategies Xiaoxia Gao 1,2, Lu Xia 1, Lin Lu 2,* and Yonghua Li 1 1 Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University (Baoding), Beijing 071000, China; [email protected] (X.G.); [email protected] (L.X.); [email protected] (Y.L.) 2 Renewable Energy Research Group (RERG), Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 31 December 2018; Accepted: 31 January 2019; Published: 12 February 2019 Abstract: The wind energy utilization in Hong Kong is limited, although its potential has proven to be significant. The lack of effective policy for wind energy development is the main constraint. In this paper, the wind power potential in Hong Kong is analyzed, and the wind power potential assessment is conducted based on one-year field measured wind data using Light Detection & Ranging (LiDAR) technology in a proposed offshore wind farm. Results show that the offshore wind power potential in Hong Kong was 14,449 GWh which occupied 32.20% of electricity consumption in 2017. In addition, the electricity market and power structure in Hong Kong are also reviewed with the existing policies related to renewable energy development. Conclusions can be made that the renewable energy target in Hong Kong is out of date and until now there have been no specific effective policies on wind energy. In order to urge Hong Kong, catch up with other countries/regions on wind energy development, the histories and evolution of wind energy policies in other countries, especially in Denmark, are reviewed and discussed. Suggestions are provided in the aspects of economics, public attitude, and political factors which can stimulate wind power development in Hong Kong. Keywords: Wind energy policy in Hong Kong; wind power potential; wind energy development; promotion strategies; public attitudes; political factors 1. Introduction Renewable energy policy is a country’s strategy on renewable energy production, distribution, and consumption, in which legislation, incentives, target and taxation are included [1–5]. Feed-in tariff (FIT) and Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) are two typical incentive types in renewable energy policy all over the world [6–8]. Figure1 shows the number of countries with types of renewable energy policies [9]. Note that not all policy types in use are shown in this Figure. Countries are considered to have policies when at least one national or state/provincial-level policy is in place. It can be seen that until 2018, more than 130 countries have power regulatory incentives/mandates which can stimulate the development of renewable energies. As costs fall, it was recorded that renewable energy markets continue to diversify geographically all over the world [10–14]. Europe remains an important market, as well as an innovation center, and also, activities continue to shift towards other regions with China again leading the world in new RE power capacity installations in 2018 [15–20]. Sustainability 2019, 11, 924; doi:10.3390/su11030924 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Sustainability 2019, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 20 Number of countries with 140 heating and cooling regulatory incentives/mandates transport regulatory incentives/mandates power regulatory incentives/mandates Sustainability 2019, 11, 924 120 2 of 20 Sustainability 2019, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 20 100 80 Number of countries with 140 heating and cooling regulatory incentives/mandates transport regulatory incentives/mandates 60 power regulatory incentives/mandates 120 Number of Number of countries 40 100 20 80 0 60 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Year Number of Number of countries 40 Figure 1. Number20 of countries with types of renewable energy policies (From [9]). 0 As costs fall, it was recorded2012 that2013 renewable2014 energy2015 markets2016 continue2017 to2018 diversify geographically all over the world [10–14]. Europe remains an importantYear market, as well as an innovat ion center, and also, activities continue to shift towards other regions with China again leading the world in new RE FigureFigure 1. 1.NumberNumber of ofcountries countries with with types types of ofrenewable renewable energy energy policies policies (From (From [9]) [9.]). power capacity installations in 2018 [15–20]. Meanwhile, various countries have different RE electricity generation targets [21–24]. RE target AsMeanwhile, costs fall, it various was recorded countries that have renewable different energy RE electricity markets generationcontinue to targets diversify [21 geographically–24]. RE target is is a defining feature of the global energy landscape. At the end of 2016, more than 176 countries alla over defining the world feature [10 of– the14]. globalEurope energy remains landscape. an important At the market end of, 2016,as well more as an than innovat 176 countriesion center, around and around the world with at least one kind of RE target, which was about four-fold of 43 countries in also,the activities world with continue at least to one shift kind towards of RE target, other regions which was with about China four-fold again leading of 43 countries the world in in 2005. new 50% RE is 2005. 50% is Denmark’s target during the year 2020–2021 while in fact, most of this RE power comes powerDenmark’s capacity target installations during the in 2018 year 2020–2021[15–20]. while in fact, most of this RE power comes from wind from wind energy. Besides Denmark, wind energy market all over the world was brisk with a total energy.Meanwhile, Besides various Denmark, countries wind energy have different market all RE over electricity the world generation was brisk targets with a [21 total–24 of]. installationRE target of installation capacity of 39.125 GW by the end of 2017 [25]. is capacitya defining of 39.125feature GW of bythethe global end energy of 2017 [landscape.25]. At the end of 2016, more than 176 countries Hong Kong, by contrast, has been stagnant in this. The limitation of relevant incentives and aroundHong the world Kong, with by contrast,at least one has kind been of stagnant RE target, in this.which The was limitation about four of-fold relevant of 43 incentives countries andin policies in Hong Kong makes the local renewable energies contribute to an insignificant energy share 2005.policies 50% inis Denmark’s Hong Kong target makes during the localthe year renewable 2020–2021 energies while in contribute fact, most to of an this insignificant RE power comes energy [26]. According to the annual Hong Kong Energy End-use Data, which include the RE data from the fromshare wind [26]. energy. According Besides to the Denmark, annual Hong wind Kong energy Energy market End-use all over Data, the which world include was brisk the with RE data a total from year 2010, the weighting of RE in energy end-use was 0.6%. “The End-use Data 2018” indicated that ofthe installation year 2010, capacity the weighting of 39.125 of GW RE inby energythe end end-use of 2017 was[25].0.6%. “The End-use Data 2018” indicated the total RE was 1913 TJ with a weighting of 0.655% [27] and the RE weighting in electricity thatHong the totalKong, RE by was contrast, 1913 TJ has with been a weighting stagnant in of this 0.655%. The [ 27limitation] and the of RE relevant weighting incentives in electricity and consumption is only 0.1% (shown in Figure 2), which was with an unincreased percentage compared policiesconsumption in Hong is Kong only 0.1%makes (shown the local in Figurerenewable2), which energies was contribute with an unincreased to an insignificant percentage energy compared share with that of 2010, and was far behind the target of 1–2% energy share (HK RE Net, 2017). Among this [26].with According that of 2010, to the and annual was far Hong behind Kong the Energy target of End 1–2%-use energy Data, which share (HKinclude RE Net,the RE 2017). data Among from the this 0.6%–0.7%, the weighting of wind energy was less than 1%. year0.6%–0.7%, 2010, the the weighting weighting of RE of wind in energy energy end was-use less was than 0.6%. 1%. “The End-use Data 2018” indicated that the total RE was 1913 TJ with a weighting of 0.655% [27] and the RE weighting in electricity Electricity consumption is only Oil 0.1%& Coal Products (shown in Figure 2), which was with Biogas an unincreased percentage compared Town Gas & LPG Bio-diesel with that of 2010Green, and bars represent was the proportions far behind of the target of 1–2% energy Solar Energy share (HK RE Net, 2017). Among this renewable energy in this type of energy 28% Wind Energy & Hydropower 0.6%–0.7%, the weighting of wind energy3.2% was less than 1%. 0.2% 89.4% Electricity Oil & Coal Products 0.1% Biogas 8.2% Town Gas & LPG 17% Bio-diesel Green bars represent the proportions of Solar Energy renewable energy in this type of energy 28% Wind Energy & Hydropower 3.2% 1.9% 0.5% (a) 55% 0.2% (b) 89.4% Figure 2.2. Hong Kong Energy 0.1% End End-use-use Data: ( a) The The weighting weighting of RE RE (renewable (renewable energy) in respective 8.2% fuel type in 2016 and (b)) TypesTypes ofof RERE capacitiescapacities17% inin HongHong Kong.Kong. 1.9% How(a) about the 55% wind energy potential in HongHong(b) Kong?Kong? A comprehensive wind0.5% power potential analysis with the cost of energy (analysis) is indispensable for policy-makingpolicy-making in the decision-makingdecision-making Figure 2.