Prof. Yang Hong-xing at the Department of Building Services Engineering and Coordinator of the Renewable Energy Research Group collaborated with Sino Group and Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited to develop the world’s first in-building hydropower system. The system makes use of unused water in pipelines utilizing the in-pipe turbine jointly developed by PolyU and the Water Supplies Department.

Installed in building and shopping malls, this second generation of hydropower system can supply power for lobby’s lighting with efficiency increases by six times, compared to its first generation. It can also help reduce yearly carbon emission by 700 kg, which is equivalent to planting 30 trees to offset the emission.