Firstly, the trip provided a precious opportunity for a tour to an environmentally friendly incineration plant at Qionghai. This is a waste-to-energy plant with a 1200 T/day waste processing capacity. It provides odourless garbage treatment and utilises municipal waste as well as reclaimed material from landfill sites for power generation, while promoting waste inherent water recovery.

In addition, it showcased state-of-the-art technology on flue gas and fly ash treatment to reduce pollution and achieve a level of air emissions well below the stringent standards set down in the China National and European Emission Standards. It sets a role model in this area of environmental protection for others to follow.

Another highlight of the trip was the visit to the zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao. This showcases agricultural and photovoltaic complementation, green transportation, green building and photovoltaic, energy storage, direct current, flexibility (PEDF) system.

Boao has an extensive network of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging facilities and multi-functional smart lampposts. They form the backbone of green transportation and a future autonomous transport system. Another most noteworthy technology which came to light was the PEDF system itself. With the help of the leading technology of vanadium redox flow battery and board use of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, the PEDF allows the effective use of renewable energy through a direct current distribution system that means less energy losses for consumers and a higher degree of safety. It paves the way for the development of extensive renewable energy sources which will lead to energy independence from fossil fuels in the future.

Hainan is emerging as a pioneer province for innovative solutions for a sustainable future. It provides good references for Hong Kong in our transition towards a sustainable smart city. Recount of the visit will be continued in Part 2 in the Journal’s next issue.