Towards a Zero Energy Island

The aim of this study was to show the potential application of the available natural and alternative energy resources in Peng Chau Island, Hong Kong. The potential of different alternative energy resources was considered, such as solar, wind, tidal, wave, energy crops and MSW (municipal solid waste). The results show that some of the mentioned resources can be used very efficiently to supply the required electricity of the island whereas others are not very suitable. The analysis following a macroscopic approach is based on measured real data obtained by various government organizations. This study builds the basis of implementing renewable energy technologies on the island and gives hints to the reader that with a careful design, it is possible for the island to generate its required electrical energy on its own and almost without any CO2 emissions to the environment (except MSW, which is also discussed briefly). In the context of this study, the focus was on production of electrical energy only. Analog to the existing term ZEB (Zero Energy Building), a new term “Zero Energy Island” is introduced to name the same concept for islands.