PolyU and China Southern Power Grid establish the Joint Institute for Green and Secure Power Grid

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd. (CSG) have signed an agreement to establish the “Joint Institute for Green and Secure Power Grid” (the Joint Institute). Harnessing quality research results and interdisciplinary technologies in the fields of power equipment, green and secure management, smart city and green and safe power supply, the pair shall join efforts to take forward the establishment and development of the country’s new power systems initiative. CSG plans to provide a funding of RMB30 million in the upcoming five years to support PolyU in carrying out a series of fundamental and forward-looking research projects.

The new power systems initiative is essential for both transformation and upgrading of the country’s power systems, as well as achieving “carbon emissions peak” and “carbon neutrality”. Building the new type of power systems using new energy with high security, openness and adaptability are crucial to meet the growing demand for clean energy.

An interdisciplinary research team consists of members from six departments of the Faculty of Construction and Environment and the Faculty of Engineering of PolyU has already been formed, covering the areas of smart sensing, edge computing, big data, numerical simulation and advanced materials, etc. Collaborating with the experts from CSG, the team will focus on digital twin technology of power equipment, digitalisation of electric power distribution as well as safe and stability technology to facilitate the transformation and upgrading of power grid. The duo will, under the Joint Institute, also actively participate in major provincial and national projects to achieve technological breakthrough and contribute to national energy security.

The collaboration agreement was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Mr LI Rui, General Manager of Innovation Management Department of CSG, and witnessed by Prof. XU Kai, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr LIANG Qinru, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, Mr PENG Wenjun Bryan, Head of Innovation and Technology (Greater Bay Area) at Invest Hong Kong, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, Mr WANG Hongzhi, General Manager of CSG, and Mr ZHANG Wenfeng, Deputy General Manager of CSG at the ceremony held on 8 September 2022.

Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “PolyU and CSG have been working together for a long time. The establishment of the Joint Institute shall further deepen the partnership between the two parties. Looking forward, our research team will advance the development of the new power systems and the research of novel green technologies, focusing particularly on new energy and smart city applications. Our efforts will contribute to the realisation of the country’s goals to peak carbon emissions and attain carbon neutrality.”

Mr Wang Hongzhi said, “We are joining hands with PolyU to carry out comprehensive cooperation in technology innovation and talent exchange. Together we shall promote the development of new power systems through the Joint Institute. This partnership realises in-depth exchanges among industry, academic and research sectors, which not only supports the innovative development of the energy industry in China, but also provides strong support for building the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area into a national model for high-quality economic, social and technological development.”

In addition to joint research projects, the collaboration aims to cultivate interdisciplinary experts of higher calibre to form a research force for building the national new power systems.

Prof. Christopher Chao remarked, “PolyU has been actively addressing global challenges, contributing to the development of green technology and providing innovative solutions by leveraging its expertise in different disciplines. The collaboration with CSG will facilitate academic exchange and resource sharing, support our academics to conduct various research activities in a more effective way, as well as nurture research talents for promoting major research projects.”

Prof. Du Yaping, Director of the Joint Institute and Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, PolyU, said, “The Joint Institute will focus on exploring the application of green and safe technologies in the field of power transmission and distribution to solve the issues in the establishment of new power systems, which will greatly promote the innovation and technology development of Hong Kong.”

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