On 18 March 2024, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory (“the Laboratory”) signed an agreement to jointly set up the “PolyU–Yangjiang Laboratory Joint Research Centre for Offshore Wind Power” (JRC).
The new JRC marks the two parties’ collaboration in conducting research and development in the area of offshore wind engineering. The Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) of PolyU will work closely with the Laboratory in the operation and management of the JRC. Under the new partnership, PolyU and Yangjiang researchers will share resources and enjoy access to each other’s laboratory facilities. The two sides will also collaborate in pursuing joint research projects aimed at developing new technologies and materials for various offshore wind power applications, and transforming these innovations into feasible industry solutions for practical, real-world utilisations.
The JRC signing ceremony was attended by a delegation from Yangjiang, who visited PolyU campus to join PolyU members in witnessing the debut of the new collaboration. They included: Mr LIU Dewei, Vice Mayor of Office of the People’s Government of Yangjiang City (“the Office”); Mr TAN Songwei, Secretary of the Office; Mr MO Jiaqiang, Deputy Director of Yangjiang Science and Technology Bureau; Mr LIN Tao, Deputy Director of Yangjiang Development and Reform Bureau, and Prof ZHU Ronghua, Director of Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory.
At the ceremony, Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, gave a welcoming remark, highlighting that the JRC would stand as an important collaboration that brings forth feasible offshore wind engineering technologies and designs, hence facilitating the realisation of the carbon neutrality goals. “Making offshore wind power feasible involves addressing technical challenges in engineering design and construction,” he said, “the new JRC will combine the research strengths and experience of PolyU and Yangjiang to solve major scientific problems in the field, breaking the technical barriers and developing into a world-class R&D hub for wind power and clean energies”.
Established in May 2021, the RILS is a constituent research unit established under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR). Led by Prof. DING Xiaoli, RILS Director and Chair Professor of Geomatics, the Institute brings together over 50 PolyU academic staff members for interdisciplinary land and space research and knowledge transfer. Offshore wind power is one of the areas which RILS actively pursues. In November 2023, RILS delegates travelled to Yangjiang for field visits at several wind energy-related laboratories including the Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory, and met with representatives of the Laboratory for potential research collaboration opportunities.
