The provision of free energy saving light bulbs from the HKSAR government Peter Lam June 12, 2010
The Scheme In continued effort to promote green living and energy conservation, the HKSAR Government first announced in the Chief Executive Policy Address 2008-09 that it would study the need to restrict the sale of incandescent light bulbs (ILBs) (HKSAR 2008). The “Distribution of Cash Coupons For Compact Fluorescent Lamps Scheme” (also commonly referred as “Energy Saving Light Bulb Coupon Scheme”) was raised in the 2009-10 policy address. Supposedly, the two electricity companies would provide cash coupons to residential account holders for buying compact florescent lamps (CFLs). 66. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) consume 70% less electricity than incandescent light bulbs of the same light intensity. To promote the replacement of incandescent light bulbs by CFLs, the two power companies will distribute cash coupons for CFLs to residential electricity account holders. We also plan to consult the public on progressively restricting the sales of incandescent light bulbs. In addition, the Government plans to propose legislative amendments within this year to implement the second phase of the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme. (HKSAR 2009a)
In the original plan, all residential household would receive a $100 cash coupon by December 2009 for purchasing CFLs starting February 2010 at registered retailers. There would be no restriction on the quantity, types, brands and mix of the CFLs to be redeemed (EnvB 2009a, EnvB 2009b). Yet for compensating the cost of the two utilities, all electricity users have to bear an increase of 0.5 to 0.6 cents per kilowatt in the tariffs (Oriental 2009a).
Critiques Days after the announcement of the scheme, local media plus other environmental advocates criticised the scheme. Apart from the allegation against the Chief Executive Donald Tsang, whose relatives was a wholesaler of lighting products which may be benefited by the scheme (TVB 2009a), that sparked political concerns on Tsang’s administration, the public and other stakeholders had high worries on the would-be increase of electricity tariffs (FoE 2009, Sing Tao 2009a, Oriental 2009a). Under the existing Scheme of Control Agreement (SCA), the permitted rate of return for the two electricity companies, Hong Kong Electric and CLP Power, is set at 9.99% of their average net fixed asset, plus some adjustments including total operating cost (EnvB 2010, LEGCO 2009a). If the cost of distributing the cash coupons is to be absorbed by the utilities, this would lead to positive adjustments to the electricity tariffs.
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The Provision of Free Energy Saving Light Bulbs from the HKSAR Government
Peter Lam
In response to the public concerns, Secretary for the Environment, Edward Yu, said in October 2009 that the Government may consider pushing ahead with the distribution of coupons without raising electricity tariffs. The Government was also considering expanding the scope of the cash coupons for the public to purchase other energy saving electrical appliances (TVB 2009b). In November 2009, LEGCO Panel on Environmental Affairs challenged the legal ground how the scheme would induce an increase to electricity tariff (LEGCO 2009a). It passed a motion urging the Government to issue coupons with public funding (HK$230 million) plus expanding the scope of subsidy to other energy saving products like light-emitting diodes (LED) lamps (Oriental 2009a). Up till February 2010, there was no further announcement on how to implement the scheme and the exact amount of the subsidy (Ming Pao 2010a).
Our Light Sources A survey in 2007 estimated 40% of all local households used 4.5 ILBs, which were one-third of all light sources at home. It further projected there were over 4.2 million ILBs. If all were replaced by CFLs, 480 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide emission could be reduced in generating the power consumed (Greenpeace 2007). Estimated No. of Tungsten light bulbs in use Tungsten Light Bulbs Power Consumption 740 million units Electricity Cost HK$740 million CO2 emission 590,000 kilotonnes
4.21 million Energy Saving Light Bulbs 140 million units HK$140 million 110,000 kilotonnes
Difference 600 million units HK$600 million 480 kilotonnes
Table 1. Comparing Tungsten Light Bulbs and Energy Saving Light Bulbs (Greenpeace 2007).
Comparing ILBs and CFLs Traditional ILBs consume most energy as heating the tungsten filament inside to emit light. Less than 10% of the energy is converted into visible light. On the contrary, CFLs use electric current to flow through the contained mercury vapour, causing it to emit ultra-violet radiation which then excites the phosphor coating inside the gas-tube. Therefore, CFLs have a higher efficiency and may conserve up to 80% of energy to emit equivalent brightness. Despite the apparent energy savings over ILBs, there are some limitations on CFLs. CFL bulbs in general do not work with dimmer nor operating properly in below freezing temperature (Productdose 2006). Besides, some fixtures may not have enough room for those bulky CFL bulbs. Table 2 shows the cost comparison in operating ILBs, CFLs and LED bulbs (Panasonic Everled E26 standard LED bulb is referenced). In running the bulbs over 40,000 hours, both CFLs and LED have substantial energy savings over ILBs by 77% and 89% respectively. Yet there is a high barrier forbidding many consumers to switch. Costs of these more power efficient light bulbs would cost 10 to 85 times more. Even if there could be extra energy savings in air conditioning to compensate the heat generated by ILBs, the incentive to switch is low.
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The Provision of Free Energy Saving Light Bulbs from the HKSAR Government
Peter Lam
Energy Savings Calculator for Replacing Light Bulbs ILB
CFL
(Inandescent Light Bulbs)
(Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs) (Light-Emitting Diode Light Bulbs)
Life Span (in hours) Watts Cost KWh of electricty used over 40,000 hours Electricity Cost (@ $0.88 per KWh) Bulbs needed for 40,000 hours of usage Equivalent 40,000 hour bulb expense Total 40,000 Hour Lighting Spend
LED
1,500 60 $4.00 2,400 $2,121.60 26 $104.00 $2,225.60
10,000 14 $40.00 560 $495.04 4 $160.00 $655.04
40,000 6.9 $340.00 276 $243.98 1 $340.00 $583.98
10 5 30
10 5 30
10 5 30
$22,256.00 $0.00
$6,550.40 $15,705.60
$5,839.84 $16,416.16
Monthly household energy savings KWh used per month Electricity Cost (@ $0.88 per KWh) Savings by switching from Incandescent
90 $79.56 $0.00
21 $18.56 $61.00
10 $9.15 $70.41
Yearly household energy savings KWh used per year Electricity Cost (@ $0.88 per KWh) Savings by switching from Incandescent
1,095 $967.98 $0.00
256 $225.86 $742.12 77%
126 $111.32 $856.66 89%
Calculate Your Energy Savings # of household light bulbs Your estimated daily usage (hours) Days in month Household savings over 40,000 hours (energy + replacement) Household cost Savings by switching from Incandescent
Table 2. Operating Cost Comparison – ILBs, CFLs and LED bulbs (Productdose 2006, OurRadio 2009, Panasonic 2009).
Global Phase-out of ILBs Global awareness to green living and the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emission have called for a phasing out of ILBs around the world. Governments worldwide have passed legislations to restrict sales of ILBs and recycling of CFL bulbs. Most of them have targets to gradually phase-out household usage of ILBs in the next few years. Australia
Canada
European Union
A gradual phase-out of incandescent light bulbs by 2009 to 2010. The step should be reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by 4 million tonnes by 2015. Canada’s Federal Government announced to introduce national standards for lighting efficiency by phasing-out inefficient incandescent light bulbs by 2012. The Government of Ontario also announced a similar policy a week before the Federal announcement. The European Union is proposing a 20% cut of greenhouse gas emissions as well as energy consumption reduction by 2020. When the plan was approved in March, the Commission of European Union is given two years to submit proposals to phase out incandescent light bulbs. In 2005, Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive banned mercury containing lighting from landfill.
United States
In 2006, the EU set a target recovery rate of 80%. An energy bill passed by Congress bans the incandescent light bulb by 2014. The phase-out of incandescent light is to begin with the 100-watt bulb in 2012 and end in 2014 with the 40-watt. All light bulbs must use 25 percent to 30 percent less 2014. By 2020, bulbs must be 70 percent more efficient than they are today.
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The Provision of Free Energy Saving Light Bulbs from the HKSAR Government
Peter Lam
Some states (including Florida and Connecticut) have banned incineration of lamps, and others (Arkansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, Minnesota) have banned lamps from landfill. In California, all fluorescent lamps must be recycled. Other states (Connecticut, Maine, North Carolina and Vermont) have lamp labelling laws.
South Korea, Japan, Taiwan Australia, South Africa, India
Bills have been introduced in 22 states, targeting an increase in the recycling rate of fluorescent lamps from 24 % to 80 %. Already implemented take back programmes on CFLs.
Schemes to distribute CFLs have been implemented.
Table 3. Legislative measures imposed by governments around the world on ILBs and CFLs (WorldNetDaily 2007, Boughey & Webb 2008, EnvB 2009b, Greenpeace 2010).
Safeties of CFL CFL requires mercury to emit light and at present there is no substitution to this highly toxic chemical. It is widely reported that mercury can accumulate inside our body and causes damages to our central nervous systems, endocrine system, kidneys and other organs. Pregnant women who exposed to mercury may give birth to children with serious defects (Wiki 2010a). Breakage of CFL bulbs will inevitably release traces of mercury vapour inside (4 to 6 mg) and pollute the surroundings. Furthermore, if we dispose the CFLs improperly, the mercury will contaminate the soil and underground water of refuse collection pit. Rainwater may wash the mercury away to sewage and carry the chemical into the sea. Fish and other sea creatures may accumulate the heavy metal and finally affecting our food supply, causing damages to the food chain in a macroscopic term. Yet, despite the traces of mercury inside CFLs, Australian and US studies showed total mercury emission to the atmosphere is actually less if power is generated from coal (Boughey & Webb 2008). This means there is still an overall benefit to replace ILBs with CFLs, provided that we can properly handle the toxic mercury.
Figure 1. Mercury emissions from bulb types (Boughey & Webb 2008).
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The Provision of Free Energy Saving Light Bulbs from the HKSAR Government
Peter Lam
As at 2008, over 480 housing estates had collection boxes installed for residents to deposit their used lamps. The collected lamps are sent to the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre in Tsing Yi. In 2010, there are 67 collection points of fluorescent lamps (EPD 2010) mainly including retail outlets of electric appliance companies and shopping malls around town. Hui estimated the Centre can only process up to 800,000 CFL and fluorescent tubes annually, with half of the capacity already allotted to the Government. There is simply inadequate capacity to recycle the mercury of near 10 million of CFL bulbs 1 if the coupon scheme is adopted as is (Oriental 2009b). About 15% of all bulbs could be recycled even if the Centre is running in full capacity. The Government called on the private sector to assist the recycling, yet without any proper treatment facilities, there is a chance that the toxic waste may be dumped elsewhere or improperly handled.
Conclusion In adopting a greener lifestyle, constraints from economics and supporting facilities sometimes could impede our progress. Although legislation may to a certain extent expedite environmental protection initiatives, there must be proper public consultation, openness and timely feedback as well. The Energy Light Bulb Savings Coupon Scheme, nonetheless, has a good deed behind heading towards a better green living. Missing is not what we should do but how to implement it, so that Hong Kong may take a fair share in conserving our Mother Earth. ď Ž
1
Assuming each $100 cash coupon may purchase 4 CFL bulbs. 2.45 million electricity households may therefore purchase 9.8 million CFL bulbs.
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The Provision of Free Energy Saving Light Bulbs from the HKSAR Government
Peter Lam
Appendix Domestic Electricity Tariff Consumption (In Blocks)
Basic Charge (cents/kWh)
For each of the first 150 units For each of the next 150 units (151 - 300) 200 units (301 - 500) 200 units (501 - 700) 300 units (701 - 1,000) From 1,001 units and above
63.0 73.0 82.8 106.2 115.5 125.0
Fuel Cost Adjustment (cents/kWh) 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4
Net Rate (cents/kWh) 88.4 98.4 108.2 131.6 140.9 150.4
Table 4. Hong Kong Electric – Domestic Tariff (HK Electric 2010)
Total Bi-monthly Consumption (In Blocks) Each of the first 400 units Each of the next 600 units Each of the next 800 units Each unit over 1,800
Basic Charge (cents/kWh) 78.2 84.8 90.8 98.7
Fuel Clause (cents/kWh) 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5
Net Rate (cents/kWh) 89.7 96.3 102.3 110.2
Table 5.CLP Power – Domestic Tariff (CLP 2010)
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The Provision of Free Energy Saving Light Bulbs from the HKSAR Government
Peter Lam
Reference Newspaper and Mass Media Hartley (2008), Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs May Be Hazardous to Your Health, NaturalNews.com, 25 March 2008, http://www.naturalnews.com/022886_light_bulbs_mercury_CFLs.html Ming Pao (2010a), 慳電膽券最快下月推 (Energy Saving Light Bulb Coupons On Offer Next Month the Soonest), Ming Pao, 25 Feburary 2010. Oriental (2009a), 慳電膽現金券爛尾 (Energy Saving Light Bulb Coupon Scheme Might Fail), Oriental Daily, 3 November 2009, http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20091103/00176_018.html Oriental (2009b), CFL 慳電膽水銀害人害物(Mercury in CLF Bulbs is hazardous), Oriental News, 17 October 2009, http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20091017/00176_006.html Sing Tao (2009a), 派百元慳電膽券 兩電或變相加費 (Distributing $100 Energy Saving Light Bulb Coupons May Increase Electricity Tariffs), Sing Tao Daily News, 15 October 2009, http://news.sina.com.hk/cgibin/nw/show.cgi/1030/3/2/1295723/1.html TVB (2009a), Donald Tsang accused individual media organisations of maliciously smearing his reputation, 7:30 News, Pearl Channel, TVB.com Limited, 27 October 2009, http://mytv.tvb.com/news/newsat730/101670/34 TVB (2009b), Government will consider making changes to the energy-saving light bulb coupon system, 7:30 News, Pearl Channel, TVB.com Limited, 29 October 2009, http://mytv.tvb.com/news/newsat730/101757/323#page-1 WorldNetDaily (2007), Congress bans incandescent bulbs – Massive energy bill phases out Edison's invention by 2014, 19 December 2007, http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=45156
Government Publications EnvB (2009a), Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs 2009-10 Policy Address and Policy Agenda Policy Initiatives of the Environment Bureau – For Discussion on 16 October 2009, CB(1) 28/09-10(01), 16 October 2009, http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr09-10/english/panels/ea/papers/ea1016cb1-28-1-e.pdf EnvB (2009b), Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs Distribution of Cash Coupons for Compact Fluorescent Lamps Scheme – For Discussion on 2 November 2009, CB(1) 168/09-10(01), October 2009, http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr09-10/english/panels/ea/papers/ea1102cb1-168-1-e.pdf EnvB (2010), Financial Monitoring of Electricity Companies, Towngas Company and Retail Prices of Auto-fuel, Environmental Bureau, HKSAR, assessed 11 June 2010, http://www.enb.gov.hk/en/about_us/policy_responsibilities/financial_monitoring.html EPD (2010a), Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Programme, Waste Education, Environmental Protection Department, HKSAR, assessed 10 June 2010, https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/household/index.htm EPD (2010b), Location of Collection Points, Hong Kong Waste Reduction Website, Environmental Protection Department, HKSAR, assessed 11 June 2010, https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/apps/vicinity_result.jsp?collection_type=lamp&material_type=all&dist rict_id=0&view=Go&textonly=0 HKO (2009), How does a compact fluorescent light-bulb save energy?, Hong Kong Observatory, HKSAR, assessed 10 June 2010, http://www.weather.gov.hk/education/edu06nature/ele_fluorescent_e.htm HKSAR (2008a), 2008-09 Policy Address – Embracing New Challenges, HKSAR, 15 Oct 2008, http://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/08-09/eng/p100.html HKSAR (2009a), 2009-10 Policy Address – Breaking New Ground Together, HKSAR, 14 Oct 2009, http://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/09-10/eng/p64.html LEGCO (2009a), Distribution of Cash Coupons for Compact Fluorescent Lamps Scheme, Panel on Environmental Affairs, Legislative Council, HKSAR, CB(1) 302/09-10(01), 6 November 2009, http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr0910/english/panels/ea/papers/ea1102cb1-302-1-e.pdf
Others Boughey D. & Webb R. (2008), CFL Issues - Current Knowledge, Potential Solutions, Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, http://www.energyrating.gov.au/pubs/2008phase-out-session6-boughey.pdf
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The Provision of Free Energy Saving Light Bulbs from the HKSAR Government
Peter Lam
CC (2002), 「飛利浦」SL Electronic Prismatic 慳電膽須回收（2002 年 12 月 04 日）, Consumer Council, assessed 10 June 2010, http://www.consumer.org.hk/website/ws_chi/consumer_alerts/recalls_and_alerts/2002120401.html CC (2010), 環保篇 － 照明裝置慳電法 (Environmental Protection – Light Fixture Installation), Consumer Council, assessed 10 June 2010, http://www.consumer.org.hk/website/ws_chi/shopping_tips/products/lighting.print CLP (2010), Domestic Tariff, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, 1 January 2010, https://www.clponline.com.hk/MyHome/CustomerService/TariffOverview/Domestic/Pages/Default.aspx FoE (2009a), 香港地球之友就施政報告有關「派發慳電膽現金券」之回應(Friends of the Earth reponse to the police address on the Energy Saving Light Bulb Scheme, Friends of the Earth (HK), 23 October 2009, http://www.foe.org.hk/welcome/gettc.asp?id_path=1,%207,%2028,%20150,%204017,%204242 Greenpeace (2007a), 救氣候，唔關香港事？(Saving Climate, None of Hong Kong’s Business?), Greenpeace, 25 May 2007, http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr06-07/chinese/panels/ea/papers/ea0528cb1-1666-5-c.pdf Greenpeace (2007b), Press Release, Greenpeace, 8 July 2007, http://www.greenpeace.org/china/en/press/release/greenpeace-matches-donation-of/greenpeacelaunches-the-go-gr?mode=send Greenpeace (2010), Frequently Asked Questions in Phasing out Incandescent Light Bulbs, Greenpeace China, assessed 10 June 2010, http://www.greenpeace.org/china/en/press/release/greenpeace-urges-legal-phaseo/frequently-asked-questions-in HK Electric (2010), Domestic Tariff, Hong Kong Electric Holdings Limited, 1 January 2010, http://www.heh.com/hehWeb/DomesticServices/BillingPaymentAndElectricityTariff/TariffTable/Index_en.h tm OurRadio (2009), [買邊隻好] 慳電膽 (Which Energy Saving Light Bulb to Buy?), OurRadio Forum, 20 October 2009, http://www.ourradio.hk/forum/archiver/?tid-6074-page-2.html Panasonic (2009), Panasonic Debuts EVERLEDS LED Light Bulbs, Panasonic Corporation, 10 September 2009, http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/en090910-3/en090910-3.html Productdose (2006), Incandescent vs. CFL vs. LED Light Bulb Challenge, Productdose.com, http://www.productdose.com/article.php?article_id=1142 Wiki (2010a), Mercury Poisoning, Wikipedia, assessed on 11 June 2010, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning
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