{"id":49494,"date":"2017-05-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/press\/cuhk-sweeps-the-board-in-inaugural-energy-saving-championship-schemeeffective-energy-conservation-measures-save-30m-electricity-expenses\/"},"modified":"2021-03-09T10:56:56","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T02:56:56","slug":"cuhk-sweeps-the-board-in-inaugural-energy-saving-championship-schemeeffective-energy-conservation-measures-save-30m-electricity-expenses","status":"publish","type":"press","link":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/press\/cuhk-sweeps-the-board-in-inaugural-energy-saving-championship-schemeeffective-energy-conservation-measures-save-30m-electricity-expenses\/","title":{"rendered":"CUHK Sweeps the Board in Inaugural \u2018Energy Saving Championship Scheme\u2019Effective Energy Conservation Measures Save $30M Electricity Expenses"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-49494","press","type-press","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"title_alt":"","sub_title_alt":"","press_date":"20170518","keep":false,"details":"

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) triumphed in the inaugural \u2018Energy Saving Championship Scheme 2016\u2019 organized by the Environment Bureau and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department by scooping up three awards: the \u2018Hanson Supreme Grand Award\u2019 (overall champion among all 270 participating organizations)<\/strong>, the \u2018Hanson Grand Award\u2019 (top award in the post-secondary education institution category)<\/strong> and the cross-category\u00a0\u2018Most Innovative Energy Saving Measures Award\u2019<\/strong>.\u00a0 The accolades testify to the University's outstanding achievements in energy conservation and leadership in sustainable development.\u00a0 Prof. Fung Tung<\/strong>, Associate Vice-President and Chairman of the Committee on Campus Sustainability received the awards at the award ceremony today (18 May) on behalf of CUHK.<\/p>\r\n

Prof. Joseph J. Y. Sung, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, feels proud of the achievements, \u2018CUHK spares no effort in implementing energy saving policies, adopting new technologies, and engaging students and staff in energy conservation and significant progress has been made.\u00a0 Over the past 3 years, our electricity consumption has been continuously dropping.\u00a0 Total electricity consumption in 2015-16 was reduced by 9.9% as compared to the base year figure in 2012-13, which means over 90 million MJ energy was saved, which is equivalent to an electricity charge of around HK$30 million. \u00a0The awards represent a great recognition of the University\u2019s long-term efforts in promoting sustainable development.\u2019<\/p>\r\n

Use of Innovative Energy Saving Technologies Proves Effective<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

As early as 2010, CUHK pledged in its Campus Master Plan to reduce electricity consumption (per capita) by 25% by 2025 (with 2005 as the base year).\u00a0 In 2012, a 5-year mid-term target was set to reduce electricity consumption (per capita) by 8% by 2017.\u00a0 Prof. Fung Tung<\/strong> remarked, \u2018We fulfilled our mid-term target ahead of time in 2015, thanks to the efforts of the Campus Development Office and Estates Management Office in attempting various innovative energy saving technologies on campus which has become a \u201cliving laboratory\u201d.\u2019<\/p>\r\n

Since 2012, the University has put in many additional resources to reduce energy consumption in campus buildings.\u00a0 Currently, 13 new buildings on campus have received \u2018Platinum\u2019 or \u2018Gold\u2019 BEAM (Building Environmental Assessment Method) or BEAM Plus ratings for their environmental-friendly designs. The University has also carried out major refurbishment of campus buildings over the past years by replacing the air-cooled chillers with energy-saving water-cooled chiller systems, and progressively switching to more energy-efficient oil-free chillers.\u00a0 The University is now working on installing district cooling air- conditioning systems for suitable building clusters, as well as adopting solar water heaters and photovoltaic panels more extensively in student hostels and buildings.<\/p>\r\n

Successful Engagement of the Campus Community in Environmental Protection<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Ms. Vivian Ho<\/strong>, Director of Campus Planning and Sustainability, said, \u2018Our strategy is to mobilize over 30,000 students and staff members to participate in various energy conservation programmes. \u00a0The \u201cEnergy Saving Championship Scheme\u201d has offered a great opportunity for us to exchange ideas and experience with other participating organizations. \u00a0We look forward to encouraging more people to join the campaign, to gather our efforts in reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, and help promote green culture and an eco-friendly lifestyle.\u2019<\/p>\r\n

The University requires each office to appoint at least one staff member as the \u2018Energy Warden\u2019 to identify energy conservation measures for their own office. \u00a0Statistics of energy consumption are also shared with all offices\/units regularly so that they are aware of their progress and achievements.\u00a0 In 2014, CUHK rolled out the \u2018Energy Conservation Incentive Scheme\u2019, the first programme of its kind in the local post-secondary education sector, to set energy conservation targets for over 100 academic and administrative units. \u00a0Most of the participating units succeeded in meeting the targets, with the best performer saving over 20% of energy consumption.<\/p>\r\n

CUHK actively organizes various programmes and competitions to encourage students and staff to change their energy use habits, raise awareness on energy conservation, and promote sustainable low-carbon lifestyle and office practices.\u00a0 These activities include the \u2018Green Office Programme (GO!)\u2019, \u2018Green Student Society Scheme (SO Green!)\u2019, \u2018Green O\u2019Camp Sponsorship\u2019, \u2018Greenest O\u2019Camp Award\u2019 and the \u2018CU Green Buddies Scheme\u2019.\u00a0 Various colleges also organize energy saving competitions in their student hostels on a regular basis.<\/p>\r\n

About the \u2018Energy Saving Championship Scheme\u2019 <\/strong><\/p>\r\n

The \u2018Energy Saving Championship Scheme\u2019, launched in 2016 by the Environment Bureau and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, aims to engage different sectors in Hong Kong to take actions which support the \u2018Energy Saving Plan for Hong Kong\u2019s Built Environment 2015~2025+\u2019.\u00a0 These actions include encouraging different sectors to set energy saving targets comparable to or even exceeding that of the Government\u2019s, promoting green building design and management, acknowledging organizations that adopt effective energy saving technologies and best practices, and actively promoting energy conservation among users. The Scheme has five categories, each with five grades of awards. \u00a0The highest honour, the Hanson Grand Award, is awarded to the organization with the best performance within the category. \u00a0Over 270 organizations vied for the awards in the 2016 Scheme.\u00a0 The winning organizations needed to fulfill the following criteria:<\/p>\r\n