News

BEEE Team Wins Gold Medal for Innovative Coating at the 4th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions, Hong Kong

Hong Kong, December 6, 2024 – The Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been awarded a prestigious Gold Medal at the 4th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions (AEII) held in Hong Kong on December 5-6, 2024. The team, led by Prof. LU Lin Vivien and Dr. GONG Quan, was recognized for their groundbreaking project titled "Synergistic Integration of Terrestrial Radiative Cooling and Bifacial Solar Photovoltaics for Low-Carbon Buildings."   The BEEE team has developed an environmentally friendly solar-driven adaptive radiative cooling coating that can adjust cooling capacity based on solar irradiance, thus cooling building roofs and walls without consuming any energy. The invention can integrate bifacial photovoltaic (biPV) modules, enabling simultaneous solar power generation and radiative cooling, thereby transforming buildings from energy consumers into energy harvesters. The coating can also convert solar energy into visible light to prevent buildings from absorbing excessive heat, as well as improve the efficiency of biPV systems and enhance their cooling capabilities. This enables buildings to generate more power while passively radiating excess heat into space, helping to realise energy-efficient and net-zero energy building designs.    The AEII is a renowned annual event that celebrates cutting-edge inventions and solutions from across Asia, attracting scholars, experts, and inventors from around the globe. This year, PolyU achieved remarkable success, securing a total of 18 accolades, including the Grand Prize, one Special Prize, seven Gold Medals, eight Silver Medals, and one Bronze Medal.   Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), expressed his pride in the achievements of the PolyU teams, stating, "The remarkable accomplishments of our academics, students, and alumni reflect PolyU's strong research capabilities and our commitment to innovation. These awards highlight our dedication to addressing global challenges through cutting-edge research and solutions."   The BEEE team's success underscores the vital role of PolyU's research initiatives in driving sustainable development and innovation. Their award-winning project not only contributes to the advancement of low-carbon building technologies but also aligns with PolyU's mission to create a positive impact on society and the environment.   For more information on BEEE award-winning project and innovations showcased at the AEII, please visit the PolyU Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office website.  

BEEE Chair Professor Joins Elite Ranks as 'Highly Cited Researcher 2024’

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) proudly announces that Prof. Yan Jinyue Jerry, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings in the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE), has been recognized as one of the "Highly Cited Researchers 2024" by Clarivate Analytics. This prestigious recognition underscores Prof. Yan's significant contributions and impact in his research field, placing him among the top 1% of researchers worldwide based on citation metrics.   The annual list by Clarivate Analytics honors researchers who have demonstrated exceptional influence through the publication of multiple highly-cited papers over the past 11 years. This year, 6,636 researchers from 59 countries and regions have been acknowledged for their outstanding work.   Prof. Yan's inclusion in this list highlights PolyU's commitment to research excellence and its dedication to fostering innovation and societal impact. His work in building environment and energy engineering not only advances academic knowledge but also contributes to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.   BEEE congratulates Prof. Yan on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to his continued contributions to the field and the university's mission of driving positive societal change.    

Successful Completion of The 2nd International Conference on Energy Engineering

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) successfully organized the 2nd International Conference on Energy Engineering (ICEE2024), held from November 29 to December 2, 2024, at PolyU. The conference attracted over 250 academics and professionals from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and various overseas countries. The theme of the conference is ‘Engineering a Carbon-neutral Future’, which aims to address a wide range of global challenges through interdisciplinary discussions and communications. For more details, please visit the event website at https://www.iceeconf.com/.   Chaired by Prof. LU Lin Vivien of BEEE, alongside Prof. WU Wei from City University of Hong Kong and Prof. CAO Sunliang of BEEE, ICEE2024 featured plenary sessions, keynote speeches, oral presentations, poster sessions, and technical tours. Key topics included Renewable Energy, Clean Energy Technologies, Intelligent and Electrical Energy Systems, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage and Energy Policy and Sustainability.   During the opening ceremony on November 30, Prof. LU Vivien delivered an opening speech, followed by welcome speeches from Dr. Miranda Lou, the Executive Vice President of PolyU, and Dr. Wai-kwok Lo, JP, a Member of the Legislative Council (Engineering) and Chairman of the Development Panel in Hong Kong SAR, China.  The plenary distinguished speakers include Prof. Yong Tae KANG from Korea University, with the plenary speech on “Thermal Energy Storage for Plus Energy Building Applications: Sorption Thermal Battery”; Prof. WANG Zuankai from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with the plenary speech on “Field Matching Principle for Energy Efficiency Enhancement”; Prof. ZHANG Lizhi from South China University of Technology, with plenary speech on “Solar Energy Driven Membrane-Based Desalination Systems.”; Prof. DING Yuling from the University of Birmingham on “Sector Coupling Through Synergistic Energy and Resource Integration: The Role and Value of Carnot Batteries,” and another by Prof. Soteris KALOGIROU from the Cyprus University of Technology titled “Renewable Energy Systems: Current Status in the World and Prospects.”      Prof. LU Lin Vivien and Dr Wai-kwok Lo, JP delivering welcome speeches   The success of ICEE2024 is largely attributed to the strong support from PolyU and BEEE, particularly in terms of financial resources and venue arrangements. Additionally, support came from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong, China University of Mining & Technology-Beijing, Tech Science Press, HKIE, and several supporting journals, including Energy Engineering, Renewable Energy, Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, and Science & Technology Review.   BEEE would like to congratulate the success of the conference. We look forward to seeing the participants in BEEE activities in the near future.  

BEEE Academic Staff Honored in Stanford's Top 2% Scientists Compilation

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to announce that 15 BEEE academic staff members have been recognized among the world's top 2% of scientists in their respective disciplines, according to the index recently compiled by Stanford University. These distinguished scholars have been included in the “Career-long Impact” list based on their citation impact throughout their careers. BEEE Top 2% Scientists in the Global List  Name Subject Field (Top-Ranked Science-Metrix Category) Professor Asif Sohail Usmani Civil Engineering Ir Professor Christopher Chao Building & Construction Professor Chen Qingyan Building & Construction Ir Professor Niu Jianlei Building & Construction Ir Professor Wang Shengwei Energy Professor Yan Jinyue Jerry Energy Ir Professor Lai Hung Kit Joseph Building & Construction Ir Professor Lu Lin Vivien Energy Ir Professor Mak Cheuk Ming Acoustics Ir Professor Mui Kwok Wai Horace Building & Construction Professor Xiao Fu Building & Construction Ir Professor Yang Hongxing Energy Dr Cao Sunliang Energy Dr Huang Xinyan Energy Ir Dr Wong Ling Tim Building & Construction   The latest release of the citation indicators, compiled by a team of experts led by Professor John Ioannidis at Stanford University, is based on the top 100,000 scientists by c-score (with and without self-citations) or those with a percentile rank of 2% or above in their sub-field. Scientists are classified into 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields according to the standard Science-Metrix classification.   This publicly available database provides standardized information on citations, h-index, co-authorship adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions, and a composite indicator. The complete list can be found here. (As per the data published by Elsevier on 16 September 2024 (version 7) )   Congratulations to our top scientists for this well-deserved recognition!  

BEEE Career Night Event - Empowering Future Engineers

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is thrilled to announce the successful BEEE Career Night: Explore Your Future event, which took place on November 6, 2024.   The evening began with a warm welcome from Dr Cao Sunliang, Associate Professor of BEEE. Representatives from prestigious organizations, including ATAL Engineering Group, CLPe Solutions, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of HKSAR, J. Roger Preston Limited, Jardine Engineering Corporation, and Swire Properties Limited, delivered engaging presentations, sharing valuable insights and experiences.   This event offered an incredible opportunity for aspiring engineers to learn from industry leaders. Our students benefited from the expertise of these professionals, gaining insights into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities within the engineering sector.   We would like to express our gratitude to the representatives and supporters who contributed to the success of this event. The enthusiasm and passion exhibited by our students inspire us, and we believe that initiatives like this are vital in shaping their future careers. Together, we are empowering the next generation of engineers.   Thank you to everyone who played a role in making the BEEE Career Night a success.   The photo gallery can be found here.  

New Beginnings: BEEE Celebrates Non-Local Student Integration

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) recently hosted a successful Non-Local Student Gathering on November 1, 2024. This event welcomed newly admitted non-local students from Mainland China and around the world, providing an excellent opportunity to foster connections within the BEEE community.   Held in the Alumni Atrium, the gathering featured a warm welcome from Head of Unit Professor Asif Sohail Usmani, Programme Leader Dr Cao Sunliang, Associate Heads Ir Dr Wong Ling Tim and Ir Professor Mui Kwok Wai Horace.   Participants engaged in casual self-introductions, while senior students shared their experiences, offering valuable insights to the newcomers.   A highlight of the event was the staff-student sharing session, where attendees enjoyed a light lunch while discussing academic and social opportunities within the department. The gathering concluded with a fun mass game and a group photo session, capturing the camaraderie among students and staff.   We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for making the Non-Local Student Gathering a memorable occasion. We look forward to seeing you at future events and continuing to strengthen our BEEE family!   The photo gallery can be found here.    

BEEE PhD Students Triumph at ISETS-ESCAP Competition, Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is thrilled to announce a remarkable achievement by a team of BEEE PhD students.   This talented group, consisting of three PhD candidates from BEEE and a student from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has won first prize in the Northeast Asia division of the 2024 ISETS-ESCAP Youth Voice Competition. Their innovative research focuses on digital twin technology for sustainable transportation.   Operating under the International Centre of Urban Energy Nexus (IUEX) at PolyU, the team, named “Energy Victory,” is led by Prof. Jerry YAN, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings in BEEE.   Supervised by Prof. YAN and Dr Ying DU, a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department, the team members—Junxiang ZHANG, Shibo ZHU, Dayin CHEN, and Haolan CHEN from Shanghai Jiao Tong University—developed an innovative project titled "Drawing the Blueprint of Traffic Electrification with Digital Twin." This award-winning project aims to advance the Sustainable Development Goals within the transportation sector, showcasing the team’s commitment to driving significant change through cutting-edge digital twin technology.   The ISETS-ESCAP Youth Voice Competition is organized by the International Society for Energy Transition Studies (ISETS) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The competition attracted around 300 submissions from 77 teams representing 37 countries, bringing together young leaders from across the globe. The success of the PolyU team highlights the university’s commitment to fostering emerging researchers and leadership in promoting sustainable energy solutions.   This award not only acknowledges the students' hard work but also reinforces PolyU's reputation as a premier institution for innovative research and collaborative efforts in sustainability. The PolyU team will next represent the university at the Global Final Competition in Chengdu this November, taking part in the event at the United Nations ESCAP Headquarters in Bangkok.  

BEEE Assistant Professor Awarded for Departmental Teaching Award 2023/24

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is thrilled to announce that Assistant Professor Dr Hou Cynthia has been selected for the Departmental Teaching Award for the 2023/24 academic year. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching and learning within our department.   Congratulations, Dr Hou!   Her dedication and commitment to educational excellence have not gone unnoticed. We encourage Dr Hou to continue her commendable efforts and fully develop her potential.   Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. We wish Dr Hou continued success in all her future endeavors!  

BEEE Shines at PolyU Info Day 2024, Engaging Future Students

The PolyU Info Day, held on 12 October 2024, was a resounding success, with the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) actively providing prospective students with the latest information about its programs and curriculum.   The day's events kicked off with the Senior Management Tour in the morning. Acting Head of Department, Ir Professor Mui Kwok Wai Horace, along with BEEE academic   and student ambassadors, warmly welcomed students, parents, and members of the public.   Info Day featured a variety of activities, including information seminars on Undergraduate (Ug) and Taught Postgraduate (TPg) programs, a consultation booth, and guided laboratory visits. These activities aimed to deepen visitors' understanding of BEEE programs and provide an immersive experience.   The consultation booth showcased the unique features of BEEE programs, highlighting innovative teaching and learning methods, student activities such as Work-Integrated Education (WIE) and exchange programs, as well as the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.   Three information seminars provided prospective students, parents, and secondary school attendees with an in-depth understanding of the department, building sciences, and the BEEE program. Presentations emphasized the professionalism and promising career prospects associated with studying BEEE.   During the Ug information seminars, Deputy Undergraduate Programme Leader Dr Cheung Hiu Dan Hilda introduced the session, followed by guest speakers Ir Edward Chan and Ir Gary Chiang, both distinguished alumni awardees of PolyU BEEE in 2024 and 2023, respectively. They shared their experiences and perspectives, highlighting exciting career opportunities. Undergraduate Programme Leader Dr Cao Sunliang and Associate Head (Partnership) Ir Dr Wong Ling Tim presented souvenirs to the guest speakers, while admission arrangements were explained and questions from visitors—primarily secondary school students and parents—were addressed on the spot.   Ir Professor Lu Lin Vivien led the TPg information seminar, introducing the six Taught Postgraduate Programs. TPg program leaders, including Professor Du Yaping Patrick, Dr Hou Cynthia, and Dr Jiang Liming, participated to answer audience questions. Current master’s student Mr. Law Sing, a former BEEE undergraduate, shared insights about his university experience and career planning during the FCE thematic talk.   In addition to the seminars, guided tours of the BEEE laboratories were arranged, allowing the public to witness firsthand the advanced equipment used in the department.   BEEE extends its heartfelt gratitude to all colleagues, alumni, guests, and student ambassadors who participated in Info Day. The event successfully enhanced prospective students' understanding of the department and its academic programs. BEEE eagerly looks forward to welcoming these future students, confident that they will thrive in the dynamic field of building environment and energy engineering.   The photo gallery can be found here.    

Engineers of the Future: BEEE Engineer Pop-up Event Ignites Excitement among Students

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) proudly hosted the exciting event "Engineers of the Future: BEEE Engineer Pop-up" on 20 September 2024. This event was designed to offer BEEE students valuable insights and fantastic networking opportunities.   We were thrilled to welcome five esteemed professional engineering societies: ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) - HK chapter BSOMES (Building Services Operation and Maintenance Executives Society) CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) – HK Region CIPHE (The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering) HKIE (Hong Kong Institution of Engineers) – Building Services Division   The "Engineers of the Future: BEEE Engineer Pop-up" provided a unique platform for our students to connect with these professional organizations and explore their future engineering careers. Attendees engaged with representatives, learned about the latest industry trends, and discussed pathways to becoming corporate members or registered professional engineers (RPE) and Chartered Engineers (CEng). Plus, the Department generously covered the first-year membership fee for any society of the students’ choice!   A huge thank you to all the representatives who participated voluntarily in this event. We believe this experience will inspire and guide our students as they embark on their engineering journeys.   Check out the photo gallery here!