Being people-oriented and innovative are the key success factors of the dual champions in HK Electric's "Green Energy Dreams Come True" Competition this year. Helen Liang Memorial Secondary School (Shatin) and Christian Alliance SW Chan Memorial College shared the honour with their creative solutions - a kinetic-powered gym machine for the elderly and an offshore 4-in-1 renewable energy (RE) floating station respectively.
The results were announced following the final presentation and award ceremony held last Saturday (7 Dec) at HK Electric's Head Office. Using a recycled bicycle, students of Helen Liang Memorial Secondary School (Shatin) developed a gym machine for the elderly that generated power by riding the fitness bicycle or simply pushing up the weight. The model was tested and fine-tuned based on demonstrations at shopping malls and elderly centres. Adjudicators praised the team for their thoughtfulness and the care given to the elderly by creating such a project. The team also demonstrated good promotional skills with their self-initiative to "sell" the concept at the competition and was selected the "Best Promoting Team".
The model of the 4-in-1 RE floating station was the innovation of Christian Alliance SW Chan Memorial College that generated power from solar, wind, waves and marine currents. The adjudicators were impressed by the team's creativity in bringing four types of RE all under one roof, which in turn brought them the "Best Creativity Award".
Entering its fifth year, the "Green Energy Dreams Come True" Competition continues to encourage secondary school students to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy sustainability, as well as using innovative technologies to promote the development of a smart city.
This year, 13 teams and their green dream proposals were short-listed. Each team was allotted seed money of up to HK$50,000 by HK Electric and each team was paired with a young engineer or professional from the Company to act as their mentor, providing guidance and help the students to realise their dreams.
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, HK Electric's General Manager (Corporate Development), Mr. Yee Tak-chow, said he appreciated the efforts put in by students in their research and development. The high quality projects were innovative in using green energy for environmental benefits while addressing social needs.
"I am impressed to see that students had put in efforts not only on research, analysis and project design but also on promotion and project management. This is a valuable experience combining STEAM and life planning education, as well as echoing community needs," Mr. Yee said.
To make green energy dreams come true, creativity and promotional skills were also important. General Manager (Public Affairs) of HK Electric, Ms. Mimi Yeung, who was one of the adjudicators in the competition, said she appreciated the creative and promotional skills shown by competitors both in their projects and the ways they present their ideas and results, making use of videos, drama, rap songs, etc.
The adjudicators selected the winners based on the content, presentational technique, creativity, team spirit and time management. The winners are awarded with prize money and an opportunity to go on a local study tour of Smart City.
Other than Mr. Yee and Ms. Yeung, the adjudication panel comprised other members of the HK Electric's Smart Power Education Fund including Associate Vice-President (Academic Support) and Academic Secretary, Chair Professor of Electricity Utilization of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Prof, S. L. Ho; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of the University of Hong Kong, Dr. Bryan Pong; Principal of the S.K.H Tang Shiu Kin Secondary School, Mr. Tai Tak-ching; Member of the Southern District Council, Mrs. Mak Tse How-ling; Vice-Chairman of Green Power, Dr. Man Chi-sum; Principal Assistant Secretary for the Environment (Energy) of the Environment Bureau, Mr. Paul Wong; Assistant Director/Electricity and Energy Efficiency of Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Mr. Vy Ek Chin; Senior School Development Officer (Career Guidance) of Education Bureau, Ms. Sandy Wong; and the General Manager (Customer Services) of HK Electric, Mr. Raymond Choi.
The "Green Energy Dreams Come True" Competition is a major programme of HK Electric's Happy Green Campaign which promotes energy efficiency, RE and a low-carbon lifestyle through a series of educational activities every year. The campaign also includes the "Happy Green Schools Label Programme" which offers educational activities throughout the year to its more than 450 member schools to spread green messages.
For more details, simply visit the Happy Green Campaign website and facebook: www.hkelectric.com/happygreencampaign and www.facebook.com/hkelectrichappygreencampaign or call 3143 3727.
The winning teams of this year's "Green Energy Dreams Come True" Competition are:
Awards | School | Projects |
|---|
Champions | Christian Alliance SW Chan Memorial College | Studied and developed a prototype of an off-shore 4-in-1 RE floating station that generated solar, wind, wave and marine current energy.  |
| Helen Liang Memorial Secondary School (Shatin) | Created an elderly-friendly gym machine which produced energy while exercising. They also developed computer programmes to help elders to identify their optimal exercise level based on their age.  |
2nd Runner-up | HKUGA College | Studied the possibility of generating energy using seawater through the electrolysis process.  |
Merit (4 in total) | HKCWC Fung Yiu King Memorial Secondary School | Developed a mobile wheel-chair that produced energy.  |
| Tung Chung Catholic School | Developed a green mobile classroom with worms that consumed food residuals for raising a turtle.  |
| Confucian Tai Shing Ho Kwok Pui Chun College | Developed a system to adjust the angle of solar panels to maximise power output.  |
| The Church of Christ in China Tam Lee Lai Fun Memorial Secondary School | Developed devices for a smart city such as a system with a drone and a rubbish collection boat to keep rivers clean.  |
Best Creativity Award | Christian Alliance SW Chan Memorial College | |
Best Promoting Team | Helen Liang Memorial Secondary School (Shatin) | |