Dedications in Application of Renewable Energy

The Water Supplies Department (WSD) is committed to providing a reliable and adequate supply of wholesome potable water and sea water to our customers and, at the same time, to develop and apply renewable energy initiatives in striving for protecting the environment.

WSD has implemented three small-scale pilot projects of floating photovoltaic (FPV) system at Shek Pik Reservoir, Plover Cove Reservoir and Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, each of which has designed for a generation capacity of 100kW. Each of the system can generate as much as 120,000 units (kilowatt-hours) of electricity annually. The amount of electricity generated is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 36 average households with a reduction of 84 tonnes of CO2 emission.
Floating Solar Power System
Water Save Dave

Floating Solar Power System

Floating Solar Power System is a solar power system with photovoltaic panels seating on floating platform with operation principle same as a ground mounted solar power system. Both systems use photovoltaic panels to harvest solar energy and convert to electrical energy and thus supply electricity. Therefore, the use of fossil fuel and the arising carbon emission can be reduced.
Floating Solar Power System Simplified Diagram
Photovoltaic panels installed at floating platform on impounding reservoir
Photovoltaic panels installed
at floating platform on
impounding reservoir
Anchoring system fixed the location of floating platform
Anchoring system fixed
the location of floating platform
Use submarine cable to connect photovoltaic panel to power converter on land
Use submarine cable to connect
photovoltaic panel to
power converter on land

Location of the Pilot Floating Solar Power Systems

Location of the Pilot Floating Solar Power Systems Location of Shek Pik Reservoir Location of Plover Cove Reservoir Location of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir

Shek Pik
Reservoir

Lantau

Occupying nearly 0.1% of the reservoir’s surface area
Shek Pik Reservoir
Shek Pik Reservoir Video
Shek Pik Reservoir VideoInstallation of Floating PV System
Download the Transcript

Plover Cove Reservoir

Tai Po

Occupying nearly 0.01% of the reservoir’s surface area
Plover Cove Reservoir
Plover Cove Reservoir Video
Plover Cove Reservoir VideoInstallation of Floating PV System
Download the Transcript

Tai Lam Chung Reservoir

Tuen Mun

Occupying nearly 0.1% of the reservoir’s surface area
Tai Lam Chung Reservoir

Location of Pilot Plants

  • 01 Shek Pik Reservoir
  • 02 Plover Cove Reservoir
  • 03 Tai Lam Chung Reservoir
  • Facilities Powered
  • Shek Pik Reservoir Raw Water Pumping Station
  • Plover Cove Reservoir Air Compressor House
  • Tai Lam Chung Air Compressor House
  • No. of Photovoltaic Panels
  • 352nos.
  • 352nos.
  • 188nos.
  • Total Area
  • Around1,100m2
    (Comparable to the size of a standard swimming pool)
  • Around1,100m2
    (Comparable to the size of a standard swimming pool)
  • Around1,100m2
    (Comparable to the size of a standard swimming pool)
  • Design Capacity
  • 100kWh
  • 100kWh
  • 100kWh
  • Annual Electricity Generated
  • Around120,000kWh
    (Equivalent to the yearly power consumption of 36 families)
  • Around120,000kWh
    (Equivalent to the yearly power consumption of 36 families)
  • Around120,000kWh
    (Equivalent to the yearly power consumption of 36 families)
  • Annual Reduction of Carbon Emissions
  • Around84tons
  • Around84tons
  • Around84tons
  • Completion Date
  • 2017.02
  • 2017.10
  • 2022.04
  • Location of Shek Pik Reservoir
  • Location of Plover Cove Reservoir
  • Location of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir

Benefits of installing Floating Solar Power Systems in Reservoirs

Reduce water evaporation of impounding reservoirs (By avoiding the water surface exposed under the sunlight)
Reduce water evaporation of impounding reservoirs
(By avoiding the water surface exposed under the sunlight)
Suppress algae growth to improve the water quality (Because of less photosynthesis effect)
Suppress algae growth to improve the water quality
(Because of less photosynthesis effect)
Reduce carbon emissions (By using less fossil fuel)
Reduce carbon emissions
(By using less fossil fuel)
Enhance power generation efficiency of the system (Due to cooling effect of water)
Enhance power generation efficiency of the system
(Due to cooling effect of water)

Design and Technical Features

The floating platform is made of HDPE material complying with BS 6920: 2014, suitable for use in drinking water
The floating platform is made of HDPE material complying with BS 6920: 2014, suitable for use in drinking water
The anchoring system is capable of withstanding strong wind such as typhoon conditions and a wide range of reservoir level variations
The anchoring system is capable of withstanding strong wind such as typhoon conditions and a wide range of reservoir level variations
The floating platform is composed of standard modules with connecting pins and is easy to install
The floating platform is composed of standard modules with connecting pins and is easy to install
The photovoltaic panel is made of anti-reflective glass, with negligible effect to nearby road users
The photovoltaic panel is made of anti-reflective glass, with negligible effect to nearby road users
The solar system is connecting to the power grid of the power company, supplying electricity to the waterworks facilities nearby the reservoir
The solar system is connecting to the power grid of the power company, supplying electricity to the waterworks facilities nearby the reservoir