Promoting Energy Efficiency and Conservation     Numerous local and overseas delegations have visited the photovoltaic system on the EMSD headquarters rooftop.       MEELS Phase 2 Implemented       A major achievement in 2011 was the smooth implementation of Phase 2 of the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS). Coming into force in September 2011, it added washing machines and dehumidifiers to the room air conditioners, refrigerating appliances and compact fluorescent lamps covered under Phase 1. Thanks to the support of retailers and importers, the trade’s compliance rate has been very high ever since the implementation of MEELS Phase 1 in November 2009. The trade’s awareness of the Scheme is also high, facilitating smooth enforcement.       APEC Workshop on Energy and Green Transport Benefits of Electric Vehicles held at Hong Kong Science Park in October 2011       Promoting Electric Vehicles       The Energy Efficiency Office (EEO) has supported the Government on a number of green initiatives in recent years. Among ongoing efforts is a drive to promote the wider adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in order to help improve roadside air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, to expedite the development of an EV charging infrastructure in Hong Kong, EEO promulgated technical guidelines on charging facilities for EVs. We also helped organise the APEC Workshop on Energy and Green Transport Benefits of Electric Vehicles in October 2011. Held at the Hong Kong Science Park, it drew delegates from 15 APEC economies and included an exhibition of EV vehicles, which was open to the public.       Preparing for BEEO Implementation       Another achievement was the publication of two Codes of Practice relating to the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance (BEEO) passed by the Legislative Council in November 2010. They are the Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency of Building Services Installation, also known as the Building Energy Code or BEC, and the Code of Practice for Building Energy Audit, also known as the Energy Audit Code or EAC. Both are 2012 Editions gazetted in February 2012 when they took immediate effect, with more stringent requirements than earlier versions. The BEC 2012 and EAC 2012 provide technical requirements to support the full implementation of the BEEO in September 2012. The BEC specifies the energy efficiency standards and requirements for the four key types of building services installations prescribed in the BEEO, while the EAC sets out the detailed technical requirements in respect of energy audits under the BEEO. As the BEEO is the first buildings-related energy efficiency legislation in Hong Kong, the EEO has stepped up publicity to assist building owners, property management companies and other stakeholders in familiarisation with its key provisions and requirements. This trade-focused programme has so far included technical talks and interactive briefings. TV and radio advertisements will also be launched in 2012 to raise public awareness of the BEEO.           Responding to Consumer Needs Phase 2 of the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS) came into force in September 2011, adding dehumidifiers and washing machines to the Scheme. As spring is the peak demand season for dehumidifiers, media and consumer attention was focused on learning more about the new energy labels from late 2011 to early 2012. Accordingly, our team stepped up publicity efforts and gave various media interviews to help consumers use the energy efficiency data on the labels to make informed purchase decisions.         Fresh Water Cooling Tower Inspections       With delegated powers from the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (PHMSO), EEO began inspecting fresh-water cooling towers and conducting related water sample tests in April 2011 for regulatory control of contaminated cooling towers under the PHMSO. By the end of the year, 560 water samples from 498 buildings had been tested, of which 27 were found with Legionella bacteria count (LBC) at or above the upper threshold of 1,000 cfu/ml, to which nuisance notices were issued under the PHMSO. All affected property owners of the cooling towers responded by undertaking immediate cleaning and disinfection works. The EMSD website also regularly publishes updated statistics and information relating to cooling tower inspections and water sample test results. Concurrent with inspections and testing, EEO held briefings with developers and property management companies on the proper design, operation and maintenance of fresh-water cooling towers. These met with an enthusiastic response.   EMSD has begun to regulate the design, operation and maintenance of fresh water cooling towers in Hong Kong since April 2011.       This new regulatory regime and the inspection programme are producing a strong deterrent effect that will help reduc the public health risk of Legionnaires’ disease. Our target is to conduct 800 inspections in 2011 / 12.       District Cooling System in Progress       Construction of Phases I and II of the District Cooling System (DCS) at Kai Tak Development is making smooth progress, with pipe laying works underway and ongoing construction of the central plants including the one near EMSD headquarters. The chilled water for the Cruise Terminal air conditioning systems is expected to begin flowing in 2013, in time for operations to begin at the first berth. The EEO is now preparing for preliminary deliberation on the future operation of the DCS, looking at various technical parameters and financial models, including a user tariff scheme.           Cooling Tower Inspections and Transparency In our regulatory work, our approach is to maintain a high level of transparency to give the public easy access to key data and reference information. As we discharge our duty to monitor and regulate fresh water cooling towers, for example, we also publish relevant Legionella bacteria count (LBC) statistics on the EMSD website everyhalf month. Also listed are the names and locations of buildings served with nuisance notices in the past three months for having cooling towers with an LBC equal to or above the upper threshold of 1,000 cfu/ml. These measures serve the dual purpose of keeping the public informed and expediting decontamination works by the building owners concerned.   Fresh water cooling tower inspection and water sample test results and statistics are updated every half month on the EMSD website.       LED lights (centre) can be used for office illumination too.       New leaflet on MEELS. The Building Energy Code and Energy Audit Code under the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance.       Energy-saving Technology       Our R&D team investigated several energy-saving technologies in 2011, including task lighting design. The task lighting approach provides additional light with on/off control of specific areas where tasks are being performed, leaving the other areas at lower ambient illumination level, thus saving energy in general lighting. Information on this approach, together with design considerations and application examples relevant to Hong Kong building owners and managers, is provided in the Task Lighting Design pamphlet now available on the EMSD website.             Artist’s impressions of one of the plants of the District Cooling System, adjacent to EMSD headquarters.       Looking Forward       With the incremental implementation of MEELS and BEEO, the EEO has been ramping up trade education efforts and gearing up to engage in full-fledged inspection and enforcement programmes. At the same time, the Office will be busy monitoring the construction of the District Cooling System, the first large-scale project of its kind in Hong Kong, while planning for its future operation and management.   LED lights undergoing laboratory tests on energy efficiency.