King's College London and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will establish and co-lead a new centre to research and develop smart grids in Hong Kong.
The establishment of the InnoHK Research Centre for Intelligent GRID and Energy Technologies (InnoHK I-GET) was announced at a press briefing at PolyU today.
The new multidisciplinary team will span over 34 global academic institutions and 60 industrial collaborators, including NVIDIA and Siemens. The researchers will use AI and data analysis to make large grids and localised energy networks more efficient and resilient, in a world with increasing reliance on electricity usage.
By establishing a state-of-the-art test research centre in Hong Kong, a global urban hub with increasing use of electric vehicles, renewable energy sources and weather events that threaten power outages, it is hoped InnoHK I-GET's work can be applied to the UK and across the globe.
In 2022 the world's electricity consumption was roughly three times what it was in 1981, driven by increasing electrification of transport, the expansion of AI data centres and greater use of air conditioning in progressively extreme climates – with the trend set to continue.
At this time of increasing demand, the further integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power have forced grid systems to adapt to time-dependent energy generation (when it is either windy or sunny) and match it to consumer demand. To build stable national energy infrastructure for energy security and growth has become such a priority the National Grid are now spending £60bn to overhaul Britain's energy system.
In attendance at the press briefing, which followed a launch event hosted by the Innovation and Technology Commission, an organisation under Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (HKSAR) Government, were senior delegates from both King's and PolyU, including Professor Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi, Senior Vice President (Research & Special Initiatives), King's College London.
Professor Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi said: "We are delighted to play a key role in this international research consortium. The InnoHK-funded research centre provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen collaboration between King's and PolyU, while bringing together leading academics and industry partners from across the world to reimagine a future power grid that is more resilient, sustainable and intelligent – capable of supporting everything from electric vehicles to AI-enabled services. As a university committed to serving society, we recognise that our impact is amplified through the partnerships we forge. Our collaboration will drive economic growth, skills development and innovation, while addressing the critical global challenge of energy security."
Professor Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi alongside Professor Barbara Shollock (Professor of Engineering and Director of the Net Zero Centre) will play a key leadership role in the multidisciplinary team. Scientists from across King's Department of Engineering will also provide expertise in InnoHK I-GET's key projects.
Professor Barbara Shollock, Academic Lead for King's contribution of the centre, said: "The grid underpins large swathes of our modern life, but the systems that have been created across the globe were not designed for the interconnected, electrified world we live in now. I'm delighted that we're working with PolyU to make a stable and intelligent power supply a reality. In addition to the well-founded technical expertise in the field, which has already been displayed by its Net Zero Centre, King's brings a reputation for impact and innovation, which will be invaluable in addressing energy security and growth."
Directed by Professor Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi and Professor Chung Chi-yung, Head of PolyU's Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, InnoHK I-GET will be split into four projects, each with their own lead researcher. These are: autonomous energy management technologies for smart grids, green and intelligent grid interfaces, grid-friendly new energy transport, and emerging grid and energy technologies. Professors Al-Hashimi and Shollock will lead the second and fourth projects respectively, with Drs Mohammad Reza Nakhai, Kai Xu and Grazia Todeschini also taking roles across the centre.
Professor Chung Chi-yung, Director of InnoHK I-GET, said of the hub: "As an international financial centre and international innovation and technology hub, Hong Kong has extremely high demands for the stability of its power supply, which provides an ideal setting for developing and applying innovative technologies related to the modernisation of smart city grids. Based in Hong Kong, InnoHK I-GET is well positioned to connect Chinese Mainland with the rest of the world. Serving as a platform for technology testing, validation, and global showcasing, the Centre is committed to advancing smart grid technology and setting industry standards, helping to align Chinese Mainland with international standards."
