17 Energy (supplies, policy, economics, forecasts) extended to allow for exogenous tax analysis. Two types of environmental taxes, one on the sulphur content of fuels and the other on the level of emissions, are exogenously included in the model as alternative instruments to mitigate pollution. Next, the base model is modified to endogenize pollution abatement. This has been achieved by incorporating a preference rate, depending on an index of emissions, into the utility function. Finally, the emission index and emission tax are taken as substitutes and modelled within a CES form to endogenize the emission tax. Results for all cases, obtained with Turkish data, are discussed. It is found that a tax on SOz emissions is more effective in reducing SOz emissions than a tax applied on the sulphur content of fuels. It is also found that a gradually increasing tax is more effective in reducing emissions than a constant tax.
02/02277 Energy use in commercial buildings in Hong Kong
Yu, P. C. H. and Chow, W. K. Applied Energy, 2001, 69, (4), 243-255. The energy performances of 20 commercial buildings, covering the common types found in Hong Kong, have been studied. The monthly electricity billing data as well as the results from computer modelling were analysed. Energy signatures for the commercial buildings were found by a method similar to PRISM. Correlation equations of energy use with building envelope parameters, such as OTTV, building size, envelope heat gain, and the annual chiller-load were derived. The results are useful for building envelope design, energy audit, and legislative control of energy use in commercial buildings.