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The Hong Kong Jockey Club boasts the world’s first entire fleet of solar-powered golf carts
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The idea for solar-powered golf carts came in a roundabout way for the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), which was trying to keep out unwelcome visitors at the public golf course it operates.
“It started with electric wire fences we had to put in to deal with wild pigs,” says William Yiu, HKJC Executive Director, Charities.
“We needed electricity and needed a place to plug into, and discovered solar-powered generators that enabled us to power the fences. We then started to look at other parts of the golf course to see whether new technology could help in our day-to-day operation.”
The search led them to a project by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which was developing a solar battery-charging system for golf carts. Today, the Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course is home to the world’s first fleet of solar-powered golf carts.
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Powered partly by the sun, the new Solar Sailor ferries will save operators millions of dollars in fuel costs
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The HKJC, collaborating with Polytechnic University and Danish company SolarDrive, installed solar roof panels to its 205 golf carts. These harness energy to power the vehicles year-round.
The club estimates the conversion will result in annual savings of about US$50,000.
It’s all part of the HKJC’s drive to promote environmentally conscious transport options. That includes solar vessels.
Later this year, the first of four hybrid ferries will begin servicing the route to the Kau Sai Chau Golf Course.
“These things look a little like the Starship Enterprise. They look very nice,’’ says Chris Pooley, the local representative of Australian-based boat designers and builders Solar Sailor. “The first one will be introduced in December to test the waters.’’
Partly powered by solar and diesel, the ferries, Solar Sailor claims, can save operators about US$5 million in fuel costs over their 15-year life span. And Mr Pooley explains the operation will make good economic sense for the HKJC and have a significant impact on emissions as well. “They are catamarans with highly developed, lightweight hulls – carbon-fibre hulls. This technology, of course, costs money, but that money will come back over a number of years on the fuel savings.’’
The new vessels feature solar panels on their roofs that feed battery banks, which in turn, are able to generate enough power to run the ferry’s motor. That power is enough to take the vessel up to the six knots required to leave and approach the ferry pier, with the diesel taking over for the mid-part of the journey.
“The boats being used now are fuel inefficient,’’says Mr Pooley. “The time had come to replace them, and the Jockey Club looked to the future.”
Electric Idea
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Cleaner Skies
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Leaders of the world’s aviation industry gathered in Hong Kong, 6-7 October, to discuss ways in which they could reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Among those taking part in the Greener Skies 2009 conference was Cathay Pacific. One of the Hong Kong Government’s “Green Partners,’’ Cathay is looking to cut its emissions while encouraging its clients to offset their own carbon footprints.
Cathay’s work was highlighted by Hong Kong’s Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau, who also noted how the Airport Authority had begun experimenting with such alternative fuels as biodiesel and electricity, to power its ground equipment.
For Mr Yau, such practices open up a wealth of new opportunities.
“This April, two funding schemes worth HK$450 million (US$58 million) were launched in Hong Kong to provide incentives for building owners to conduct energy-cum-carbon audits and to carry out energy-efficiency improvement projects on their buildings,’’ Mr Yau told the gathering. “So far, some 800 applications have been received.’’
Mr Yau cited one way local businesses can become involved in the government’s environmental push.
“More than 120 organisations in Hong Kong are taking voluntary action by joining our Green Hong Kong-Carbon Audit campaign,’’ he said. “These Green Partners are from property development and management, professional bodies, banking, hotels, universities, aviation and logistics and non-government organisations.
“They are committed to quantifying their emissions and taking steps to reduce it. Some are even encouraging the public at large to make essential behavioural and lifestyle changes required for a low-carbon society.’’
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As Mr Pooley explains it, the HKJC wanted to take a lead on environmental matters. “This is something that is really going to capture the public’s imagination,’’ he says.
Hong Kong’s EuAuto Technology hopes its innovation will also capture people’s imagination. The company’s Hong Kong launch of its award-winning MyCar takes place 23 October.
Winner of the best electric vehicle award at last year’s British International Motor Show, MyCar has been on the market in Europe since early this year. Now that safety requirements for Hong Kong roads have been met, EuAuto hopes to revolutionise life on local roads.
“Hong Kong is a perfect place for an electric car,’’ says Michael Lee, EuAuto’s Business Development Director. “The size of the city is not big, so the range suits the batteries of our car. And Hong Kong is so populated. Every time I pass through Causeway Bay, I imagine what it would be like if all the vehicles were green, with zero emission. Imagine Hong Kong with clean air.’’
Promising Solution
MyCar comes to Hong Kong as a two-seater electric vehicle, built from reinforced fibreglass panels. It can travel 112 kilometres on a full charge, and takes six to eight hours to fully charge. Costing about HK$100,000, it will be limited to use on roads with a 50-kilometre-per-hour speed limit.
“If Hong Kong wants the green market to keep growing, we need charging stations and other facilities,’’ says Mr Lee. “This is a growth industry, something more and more people are getting involved in.’’
A spokesman for the Environment Bureau says the Government is now actively promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the city. “As EVs do not have tailpipe emissions, they are a promising solution to roadside air pollution,’’ the spokesman said. “Their introduction will also help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
The Hong Kong Government has been test-driving the Mitsubishi EV, i MiEV, since May, and the Chinese mainland’s BYD plug-in hybrid since July. It has also procured the first batch of 10 i MiEVs.
“The government will continue to explore collaboration opportunities with electric vehicle manufacturers, and we expect that a larger number of electric vehicles will be introduced in the Hong Kong market in 2010-11.’’
That’s music to EuAuto’s ears. “Concern for the environment is something new for Hong Kong,’’ says Mr Lee. “But when I talk to corporate clients, it is something they are all interested in – because it is good for their image, and because it makes sense.’’
Related Links
EuAuto Technology Limited
Hong Kong Environment Bureau
Hong Kong Jockey Club
Solar Sailor
