TY - GEN
T1 - An environmental analysis of electricity consumption in built environments
AU - Lai, T. M.
AU - To, W. M.
AU - Lo, W. C.
AU - Lam, H. K.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - Electricity is considered as an inseparable part of our modern life. In built environments, the demands for electricity are much greater and more intense. In 2008, electricity consumption amounted to 5,856 kWh per capita in Hong Kong and the electricity productivity of Hong Kong was US$5.27 GDP per kWh, a very high level in the world. However, high productivity comes at a cost - poor perceived environmental quality. This study examines the environmental impacts of electricity consumption in Hong Kong, using greenhouse gases as a basis for impact analysis. Since Hong Kong imports some percentage of electricity from a nuclear power plant in a nearby area, the imported electricity causes an illusion of low emission per unit of electricity consumed and transfers hidden environmental burdens from the electricity consumption destination (Hong Kong) to the electricity generation region (Shenzhen). However, Hong Kong will also be adversely affected by those hidden burdens because of the proximity effect in long run. Moreover, we estimate the extent of the environmental impacts from a global perspective. In realizing that Hong Kong imports fuels from overseas and emissions along fuel life cycles have yet to be taken into account, we suggest that pollution indices from utilities companies and government departments need be adjusted accordingly.
AB - Electricity is considered as an inseparable part of our modern life. In built environments, the demands for electricity are much greater and more intense. In 2008, electricity consumption amounted to 5,856 kWh per capita in Hong Kong and the electricity productivity of Hong Kong was US$5.27 GDP per kWh, a very high level in the world. However, high productivity comes at a cost - poor perceived environmental quality. This study examines the environmental impacts of electricity consumption in Hong Kong, using greenhouse gases as a basis for impact analysis. Since Hong Kong imports some percentage of electricity from a nuclear power plant in a nearby area, the imported electricity causes an illusion of low emission per unit of electricity consumed and transfers hidden environmental burdens from the electricity consumption destination (Hong Kong) to the electricity generation region (Shenzhen). However, Hong Kong will also be adversely affected by those hidden burdens because of the proximity effect in long run. Moreover, we estimate the extent of the environmental impacts from a global perspective. In realizing that Hong Kong imports fuels from overseas and emissions along fuel life cycles have yet to be taken into account, we suggest that pollution indices from utilities companies and government departments need be adjusted accordingly.
KW - Electricity generation & consumption
KW - Greenhouse gases emission
KW - Life cycle approach
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84896071338&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84896071338
SN - 9781456303006
T3 - Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation, and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems, ECOS 2010
SP - 365
EP - 372
BT - Thermodynamics
PB - Aabo Akademi University
T2 - 23rd International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation, and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems, ECOS 2010
Y2 - 14 June 2010 through 17 June 2010
ER -
