HK ‘can be hub for hydrogen technologies’

‘Good conditions’ in city for development of sustainable energy, Towngas official says

Hong Kong had the potential to become an international innovation hub for hydrogen technologies, said Don Cheng Hill-kwong of Hong Kong and China Gas (Towngas).

Cheng, who is head of sustainable green energy at Towngas, was addressing an audience of more than 200 investors, researchers and energy professionals at the third TeraAward Smart Energy Innovation Competition at the Hong Kong Science Park. The event was jointly organised by Towngas and government-owned State Power Investment Corporation.

“[Hong Kong’s uniqueness] is that we have hydrogen, hydrogen applications and a lot of endusers,” he said. “Hong Kong has good conditions and advantages for hydrogen development.”

We see great potential in developing hydrogen technologies ALAN CHAN, AWARD COMMITTEE

Teams from the mainland won the gold and bronze awards. A team developing advanced alkaline hydrogen-producing equipment won gold and US$1 million in prize money, while another won bronze for its development of a new material that could absorb and store energy from very low to very high temperatures.

An Israeli team won silver for its research on hydrogen storage at near-ambient conditions.

About 450 zero-carbon projects from 59 countries and regions took part in the competition.

Among the nine teams that won awards, four focused on innovations in hydrogen technology. The winners will be supported by investors in the implementation of their projects.

“Hydrogen plays an important role in the global energy transition in the medium and long term,” said Alan Chan Ying-lung, executive chairman of the award organising committee. “We see great potential in developing hydrogen technologies and want to focus on the sector.”

The organisers hope to use the competition as a platform for energy entrepreneurs from around the world and help bring scientists’ research results to the market.

As the mainland carries out an ambitious campaign to develop clean hydrogen technologies to support its carbon neutrality goal, Hong Kong is taking steps to develop its hydrogen economy.

The city’s first hydrogen bus, operated by Citybus, was put into service in February. The Environment and Ecology Bureau is expected to release Hong Kong’s hydrogen development strategy this quarter, it said last month.

“I want to invite partners and entrepreneurs,” Cheng said. “Please come to Hong Kong and let’s work together to build a sustainable future.”