News

BEEE Research Team Honoured with Prestigious Philip Thomas Medal of Excellence

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University(PolyU) is delighted to announce that Prof. Jiang Liming, Prof. Asif Usmani, and Dr Chu Tianwei have received the prestigious Philip Thomas Medal of Excellence Award from International Association for Fire Safety Science (IAFSS). This award is to recognize the only one best paper of each IAFSS held in every three years, and the award will be presented at the 15th IAFSS symposium in 2026, La Rochelle, France.    IAFSS as the most recognized association in fire safety research, was founded in 1985, which organises the IAFSS symposiums every three years. The Philip Thomas Medal of Excellence is awarded to the author(s) of the best paper presented at a previous IAFSS Symposium, which is selected according to the five criteria: pertinence, utility, significance, rationality, eloquence of the paper.    The 2026 Philip Thomas Medal of Excellence is awarded to BEEE research team for their best paper presented in IAFSS 2023, which is titled “Introducing an active opening strategy to mitigate large open-plan compartment fire development”. This research is led by Prof. Jiang Liming (Associate Professor of BEEE, Chief Supervisor of 1st Author and Corresponding author of the awarded paper), whose research mainly focuses on fire safety of modern buildings and automated construction solutions. The 1st author Dr Chu Tianwei was a PhD student in BEEE, graduated in March 2025, has just started his Associate Professor job in China University of Mining and Technology. The 3rd author of this awarded paper is Prof. Asif Usmani, who is Chair Professor of Building Sciences and Fire Safety Engineering, and the co-supervisor of Dr Chu Tianwei.    This prestigious medal demonstrates the international recognition of BEEE research team in the field of fire safety research and underscores PolyU’s and BEEE’s commitment to research excellence and innovation. More details about IAFSS Philip Thomas Meda of Excellence could be found here: https://iafss.org/awards/philip-thomas-medal-of-excellence/    

Result Announcement - Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BEEE 2025

The Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department aims to give public recognition to outstanding graduates of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) for their significant contributions to their profession and community, as well as to their alma mater. The Award was first presented in 2010, and this year marks the 10th round of the selection process. We are pleased to announce the two distinguished awardees for 2025: Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BEEE 2025 Ir Cheng Wai Lung, Brian   Ir Cheng Wai Lung, Brian, is the Group Executive Director and Managing Director of Analogue Holdings Ltd. He also serves as a director of various subsidiary companies within the Analogue Holding Group across Hong Kong, the PRC, Macau, Singapore, and Malaysia.  He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Building Services Engineering and a Master of Science in Construction and Real Estate from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. With over 30 years of experience in the building engineering sector, he previously served as Deputy General Manager at China State Mech. & Elec. Engineering Ltd. and as Director and General Manager of Transcendence Company Ltd. under China State Construction Engineering Group.  Throughout his career, Mr. Cheng has been dedicated to upholding the status and standards of the building services profession. He has actively served various professional institutions for more than 17 years and he has also contributed to nearly 40 committees, panels, and advisory groups across government bodies and higher educational institutions, including various Appeal Boards, Tribunal Panels, Examination Groups, and Advisory Panels since 2009.   He is a Registered Professional Engineer (RPE) in Building Services and Energy, a Chartered Engineer and a fellow of several leading engineering institutions in Hong Kong and the UK.  He served as Chairman of the Building Services Division of HKIE from 2018 to 2019.   Currently, he serves as an Honorary Technical Advisor of CIPHE (HK), Council Member, Deputy Chairman of the Professional Assessment Committee, and Deputy Chairman of the Building Services Discipline Advisory Panel of HKIE.   Mr. Cheng is widely recognized as one of the pioneering leaders in applying innovative construction methods and advancing engineering digitalization within the MEP and maintenance sectors. He established MiMEP Research and Manufacturing Centres in both Hong Kong and mainland China to enhance construction safety, maintenance efficiency, and productivity. Through these efforts, he consistently leverages his expertise to elevate industry standards and strengthen the professional standing of building services.   Committed to social contribution through his profession, Mr. Cheng has initiated  impactful CSR programs within the company: (1) The Homework Support Initiative pairs graduate engineers with underprivileged students for tutoring, fostering both academic growth and social responsibility; (2) The Elderly Home Safety Project deploys skilled technicians to assist elderly residents with essential home safety modifications and repairs; (3) The Neighbourhood Sisters Programme offers flexible part-time employment and training in site safety inspection for homemakers seeking to re-enter the workforce; (4) The Community Workshops provide practical home maintenance training, empowering residents to build self-reliance and mutual support within the community. These initiatives have established him as a role model who seamlessly blends professional excellence with social responsibility.     Outstanding Young Alumni Award of PolyU BEEE 2025 Professor WANG Yuanhao Prof. Yuanhao Wang is a Professor at the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), a Distinguished Chair Professor at the Shenzhen Hoffmann Institute of Advanced Materials (Shenzhen Nobel Prize Laboratory), and concurrently serves as a Ph.D. supervisor at Northeastern University and Xinjiang University. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in New Energy Materials from the Faculty of Construction and Environment of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2011 and his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Tsinghua University in 2007. Prof. Wang has extensive academic and industrial experience. Before joining USTB, he worked as Research Professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology, Professor at the Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and served in leadership roles in multiple high-tech enterprises, including co-founding Shenzhen Peacock Technology Development Co., Ltd. and Fujian Sino-American Youtop Technology Development Co., Ltd., where he acted as Chief Scientist.   Prof. Wang has devoted his career to the research and industrialization of green building nanomaterials, resource recycling, and new energy materials and devices. He has published over 200 papers in leading international journals, including Advanced Materials and Advanced Energy Materials, with 25 ESI highly cited papers, and an h-index of 47. He has applied for and been granted more than 20 Chinese invention patents, many of which have been successfully commercialized, generating more than 80 million RMB in economic benefits. He has led over 20 national and regional research projects with a total funding exceeding 50 million RMB.   Prof. Wang has received numerous prestigious awards, including the First Prize of the Military Science and Technology Progress Award (2025), and State Council Special Allowance Expert (2021). He was selected into the National “Thousand Talents Plan” (2016), honored with the Fujian May Fourth Youth Medal (2019), and has won multiple international invention gold medals, such as at the Geneva and Nuremberg International Exhibitions of Inventions. His innovative technologies, including superhydrophobic coatings and self-cleaning photovoltaic materials, have been widely recognized for their contributions to sustainable development. Prof. Wang actively contributes to the academic community, serving on the editorial boards of Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica, Solar Energy, Salt Lake Research, and Engineering. He also engages closely with PolyU, as a co-supervisor of Ph.D. students, a project leader in award-winning PolyU-led research, and an active member of the PolyU Beijing Alumni Association.   The Department is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of these two awardees in the building services engineering industry and their contributions to the community and PolyU. We extend our gratitude to all the Selection Panel members for their excellent volunteer work in the selection process.  

Welcome Message from Department Head

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at the Faculty of Construction and Environment.   Since our establishment in December 1981, BEEE has been committed to nurturing competent professionals and innovative researchers for Hong Kong’s construction industry and beyond. Our alumni have gone on to play leading roles in industry, government, and academia, reflecting the strength and impact of our department.   As the world’s urban population continues to grow—the need for sustainable, resilient, and healthy cities has never been more urgent. At BEEE, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to address these global challenges. Our comprehensive programmes, ranging from Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) to Masters (MSc and MEng) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), are designed to integrate cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, data science, IoT, and green infrastructure into the design and operation of high-performance buildings and urban environments.   Our academic staff are internationally recognized experts, actively engaged in research across three core areas: Building Energy, Building Environment, and Building Safety and Resilience. We are proud that, according to a 2024 Stanford University study, 17 of our colleagues are ranked among the world’s top 2% scientists in their fields. PolyU’s global reputation is further reflected in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, where we are ranked 17th worldwide in both “Architecture and Built Environment” and “Civil and Structural Engineering”—achievements to which BEEE has made significant contributions.   BEEE maintains strong partnerships with industry, government, and overseas institutions, providing our students with abundant opportunities for internships, knowledge exchange, and participation in local and international competitions. Our supportive and dynamic learning environment encourages students to become socially responsible professionals and future leaders with both national pride and a global perspective.   I invite you to explore our website to learn more about our programmes, research, and achievements. By joining BEEE, you are embarking on a journey to help create more sustainable, healthy, and safe living environments for future generations.   Once again, welcome to the BEEE family. I wish you every success in your academic and personal growth during your time with us. Professor Meng Ni Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology Associate Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment Head, Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering  

BEEE’s PhD student selected for the FCE Awards for Outstanding PhD Theses 2024/25

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce that Dr Chen Zhe, a PhD student supervised by Prof. Xiao Fu, has been selected as a recipient of the FCE Awards for Outstanding PhD Theses 2024/25.   This award recognizes the exceptional quality of Dr Chen’s PhD thesis and his outstanding performance during the oral defense. Organized by the Faculty of Construction and Environment, the FCE Awards honor the most distinguished doctoral research within the faculty.   In the thesis, Dr Chen addresses the critical challenge of making AI trustworthy for building energy management. By integrating domain knowledge and physical rules into data-driven models, he transforms “black-box” models into interpretable and reliable tools for optimizing and diagnosing air-conditioning systems. The impact of his research has been demonstrated through a year-long, real-world deployment at PolyU's chiller plant, achieving a remarkable improvement in energy efficiency and substantial energy savings.   The Department warmly congratulates Dr Chen on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to his continued success and the positive impact his work will bring to the field.  

New Associate Professor - Prof. Guo Ye

BEEE is delighted to announce the appointment of Prof. Guo Ye as an Associate Professor, effective from 1st August 2025.    GUO Ye received his B.E. and Ph.D. degrees from Tsinghua University. He worked as a Postdoc at Cornell University for more than four years. Before joining PolyU, he was an Associate Professor at Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute since 2021.   Prof. Guo's research is on the building-grid energy ecosystem. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research papers in prestigious journals and conferences on energy systems. From 2019 to 2021, Prof. Guo received the IEEE PES General Meeting Best Paper Award four times in three years in a row, including a "Best-of-the-Best" Paper Award. He holds over a dozen patents and software copyrights, with one patent transferred at 1.89M CNY. He has secured over 20M CNY (21.8M HKD) research funding via competition as the leading PI, including two consecutive NSFC standard grants and over 12M CNY industrial funding from the China Southern Power Grid.   Prof. Guo assumed the co-chair of the IEEE PES Task Force on State Estimation for Integrated Energy Systems and received the 2024 Society-Level Working Group Recognition Award. He serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Trans. on Energy Market, Policy, and Regulations (Outstanding Editor in 2024) and CSEE Journal of Power and Energy Systems (Outstanding Editor in 2020 and 2021). He offered a path design for the electricity price reform toward carbon neutrality and received an official letter of appreciation from the National Development and Reform Commission of China.   Prof. Guo was selected for the National Young Talent Program (Funded with priority) and the Zhujiang Outstanding Young Talent Program of Guangdong Province. He is also a recipient of the May 4th Medal of Shenzhen.  

World Fuel Cell Conference was successfully held on 9-12 July 2025

We are delighted to share with you that the World Fuel Cell Conference 2025 (WFCC 2025) was successfully held on 9-12 July 2025!   This year, Hong Kong which is a cosmopolitan and energetic city, was selected to oragnise the  WFCC 2025! The conference was chaired by Prof. Meng Ni, the Head of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering and a member of the management committee of Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) of PolyU, and was co-chaired by Prof. Liang An (PolyU), Prof. Mengying Li (PolyU), Prof. Jian Wang (CityU), Prof. Weihong Li (CityU), Prof. Xianguo Li (University of Waterloo) and Prof. Jianbo Zhang (Tsinghua University).  Miss Kate Fung served as the secretariat for the conference.   It is our honour to have Ir Professor Christopher Chao, our Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Mr Arthur Lee, Commissioner for Climate Change in the Environment and Ecology Bureau of HKSARG to deliver the welcome speech and the opening speech.   In the Conference, more than 300 speakers and participants from 15 different countries and regions, such as United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Germany, Italy, France, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, India, New Zealand, South Korean, and Mainland China etc. shared their valuable insights towards the recent developments in hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, fuel cells, and innovative systems.   Besides, the conference also features a 3MT competition for research postgraduate students.   In the closing ceremony, we had award presentation session, more than 50 awardees are awarded with Best Poster Awards, Best Presentation Awards and 3MT Competition Awards. Congratulations to all of the awardees! At the end, Professor Xianguo LI are invited to announce an existing news which is the next World Fuel Cell Conference would be held in Japan! More information will be provided later.   Undoubtedly, this conference provides an excellent platform for scientists, engineers, industrial practitioners, and governmental policy makers to exchange ideas and seek collaborations on the development and applications of hydrogen energy, fuel cells, and the inter-connection.   We’d like to thank all participants to join our Conference and look forward to the next conference!   Conference detail: https://www.iahe-fcd.org/wfcc2025  

BEEE Industry Day 2025: Celebrating Excellence and Fostering Connections

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) successfully hosted its annual Industry Day on 14 June 2025. The event brought together students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners to celebrate outstanding achievements and strengthen connections within the building sciences community.   The official ceremony began with a warm welcome from Professor Asif Sohail Usmani, Head of Department. (Remark: Prof. Ni Meng assumes the role of Head of Department effective 1 July 2025.) Professor L.T. Wong delivered the opening speech, highlighting the department’s recent milestones and future aspirations. The event also featured the presentation of the Outstanding Alumni Award, with Ir Dr CHAN Chi Wing sharing valuable insights and experiences from his distinguished career.   Professor Anthony Yuen then recognized student achievements and introduced the Research Exhibition, emphasizing the importance of innovation and collaboration in building sciences.   A highlight of the ceremony was the Industry Day Presentation, where both research and degree students were honored for their exceptional work. Awards presented included Special Citations in various disciplines, Merit Awards, Grand Awards, and the prestigious Pioneer Award, with recipients sharing their experiences and aspirations.   Following the ceremony, a poster exhibition showcased cutting-edge research and innovative projects by students, providing a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and networking. Guests also enjoyed a tea reception, fostering further interaction among participants.   BEEE Industry Day 2025 was a resounding success, celebrating the achievements of our talented students and strengthening the bonds between academia and industry. The department extends its heartfelt congratulations to all awardees and sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to making this event memorable.   The photo gallery can be found here.  

BEEE Fire Lab Team Awarded in the PolyU Research Student Conference (PRSC) 2025

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to announce that our PolyU Fire Lab research team: Mr. Wong Ho Yin, Mr. Wang Meng, Dr Zhang Xiaoning, Dr Zhang Yuxin, Prof. Huang Xinyan, has their research paper won the Best Paper 1st Runner-up Award in the PolyU Research Student Conference (PRSC) 2025.   Their work, “Safe Evacuation Framework with Intelligent Dynamic Exit Sign System and Demonstration in Tunnel Fire”, supported by the SureFire Project, addressed the research gaps in the global development of dynamic exit sign systems. This research work introduces the framework and guidelines for the systems and further establishes the Reversion Mechanism to minimize ethical concerns and boost practical implementation. Also, the entire system was conducted in a lab-scale tunnel with real fires to validate its performance.    Led by Research Postgraduate (RPg) students to promote innovative and high-quality research, PRSC is the flagship research student conference, providing RPg students and the students of College of Undergraduate Researchers and Innovators (CURI) in PolyU with the opportunity to present their research work and findings. PRSC also provides an excellent opportunity for students from different disciplines to network with peers, and establishes a collaborative and supportive research community at PolyU.   The Department of BEEE congratulates Prof Xinyan Huang’s research team on their outstanding achievements and wishes them continued success.  

BEEE Chair Professor Honoured with Prestigious ASHRAE Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award 2025

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce that Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Chair Professor of Thermal and Environmental Engineering, has been awarded the distinguished Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award 2025 by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The award was presented at the ASHRAE Annual Conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, on 21 June 2025.   Established in 1894, ASHRAE is a leading global professional society dedicated to advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and related fields. The Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award, inaugurated in 1979, recognises individuals for their sustained excellence and leadership in engineering and research. As one of ASHRAE’s highest honours, the award is presented to only one Fellow each year, or may not be awarded if no suitable candidate is identified.   Professor Chao is the third recipient from Asia to receive this esteemed recognition, joining distinguished professors from the University of Hong Kong and the National University of Singapore. As the sole awardee invited to deliver an acceptance speech on stage, Professor Chao remarked, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from ASHRAE. This award reflects not only my work but also the dedication and innovation of my colleagues at PolyU over the years. Together, we strive to advance research and innovation in the field of building energy and environment, contributing to the academic and professional communities that inspire us to push the boundaries of engineering excellence.”   Professor Chao’s pioneering research integrates intelligent building systems with infectious disease prevention. By leveraging AI-driven energy optimisation, he creates infection-resilient and energy-efficient environments, positioning smart buildings as vital for both health and sustainability.   This international recognition of Professor Chao’s achievements underscores PolyU’s and BEEE’s commitment to research excellence and innovation, further reinforcing the University’s standing as a leader in the region. His contributions, particularly in sustainable building technologies, have made a significant impact on both academic research and practical applications.   For more information about the ASHRAE Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award, please visit the ASHRAE official website.  

New Assistant Professor – Prof. Wang Jingyi

BEEE is delighted to announce the appointment of Prof. Wang Jingyi as an Assistant Professor, effective from 1st July 2025. Prof. Wang has recently transferred from the Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE) to BEEE. We look forward to her continued contributions and the valuable expertise she will bring to her new role.   Prof. Wang Jingyi received her Bachelor’s degree in Built Environment and Energy Engineering and a PhD degree in Civil Engineering from Tsinghua University, obtained a Master’s degree in Energy Technologies from the University of Cambridge. After her graduation, Prof. Wang worked in industry and at Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen. She is also a certificated Senior Engineer in Green Buildings.   Prof. Wang has published over 30 journal papers and has been granted 12 invention patents. Throughout her research career, she has secured over 3.5 million in external funding as PI/PC. Her research focuses on developing low-carbon, high-efficiency hydrogen utilization systems for sustainable built environments, with specialized expertise in fuel cell combined heat & power generation, renewable hydrogen production, industrial waste heat recovery, and integrated hydrogen energy system. Prof. Wang aims to integrate these technologies to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of building energy systems, contributing to more resilient urban environments.