News

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.  

BEEE Academic Staff Honored in Stanford's Top 2% Scientists Compilation

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce a significant achievement under the leadership of its new Head, Professor Ni. 17 BEEE academic staff members have been recognized among the world's top 2% of scientists in their respective disciplines, according to the index recently compiled by Stanford University. These distinguished scholars have been included in the “Career-long Impact” list based on their citation impact throughout their careers. BEEE Top 2% Scientists in the Global List  Name Subject Field (Top-Ranked Science-Metrix Category) ProfessorNi Meng Energy Ir Professor Christopher Chao Building & Construction Professor Chen Qingyan Building & Construction Ir Professor Niu Jianlei Building & Construction Ir Professor Wang Shengwei Energy Professor Asif Sohail Usmani  Civil Engineering  Professor Yan Jinyue Jerry Energy Ir Professor Lai Hung Kit Joseph Building & Construction Ir Professor Lu Lin Vivien Energy Ir Professor Mak Cheuk Ming Acoustics Ir Professor Mui Kwok Wai Horace Building & Construction Professor Xiao Fu Building & Construction Ir Professor Yang Hongxing Energy ProfessorCao Sunliang Energy ProfessorHuang Xinyan Energy Ir ProfessorWong Ling Tim Building & Construction Professor Yuen Anthony Chun Yin Mechanical Engineering & Transports   The latest release of the citation indicators, compiled by a team of experts led by Professor John Ioannidis at Stanford University, is based on the top 100,000 scientists by c-score (with and without self-citations) or those with a percentile rank of 2% or above in their sub-field. Scientists are classified into 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields according to the standard Science-Metrix classification.   This publicly available database provides standardized information on citations, h-index, co-authorship adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions, and a composite indicator. The complete list can be found here. (As per the data published by Elsevier on 16 September 2024 (version 7) )   Congratulations to our top scientists for this well-deserved recognition!  

New Department Head Announced – Prof. NI Meng

Professor Ni MengHead of UnitAssociate Head of FCE Chair Professor of Energy Science and TechnologyThe Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) celebrates the announcement that Professor Ni Meng has been appointed the new Head of BEEE, starting on 1 July 2025. Prior to joining BEEE, Professor Ni Meng received his Bachelor (2000) and Master (2003) degrees in Aero-engine Engineering from Northwestern Polytechnical University. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and received The Hong Kong Young Scientist Award in 2007. Professor Ni then stayed at HKU as a Post-doctoral researcher for two years before joining The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as an Assistant Professor in July 2009. Professor Ni was promoted to Associate Professor in 2012, and then to Full Professor and Associate Head (Research) in July 2016. He was appointed as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment in July 2021. Professor Ni conducted collaborative research at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany, in 2017 as a Humboldt Fellow (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation). He received the Innovation Award from China Energy Research Society in 2022 and RGC Senior Research Fellow award in 2023.  He is a Fellow of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.   Professor Ni Meng’s research interests include fuel cells, hydrogen energy, rechargeable metal-air batteries, and electrochemical systems for low-grade waste heat utilization. Professor Ni is an active reviewer for over 80 academic journals, including Science, Nature Energy, Nature Communications, Joule, Advanced Materials, and others. He served as Associate Editor for Science Bulletin from 2015 to 2017. Currently, he is a Co-Editor-in-Chief for Energy Reviews (Elsevier), a Senior Editor for Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments (Elsevier) and e-Prime (Elsevier), and an Associate Editor for International Journal of Green Energy (Taylor & Francis), Energy Storage (Wiley), and Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering (Wiley).  

BEEE PhD Student Honoured with Two Research Awards at the CIB World Building Congress 2025

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to share that Ms Sanduni Peiris, a PhD student under the supervision of Professor Joseph H.K. Lai and Professor Mohan Kumaraswamy, has received two prestigious awards at the CIB World Building Congress 2025, held at Purdue University, USA.    Sanduni was presented with the Best Paper Award in the category W070 – Facilities Management and Maintenance, and the 4th Emerald Award, which also includes a cash prize of GBP 100, in recognition of her research paper titled "Developing a Smart Retrofitting Decision-Making Model for Office Buildings: A Case Study."    The awarded paper presents a multi-criteria decision-making model that supports facility managers in selecting optimal smart retrofit options. By integrating expert input, retrofit project data and a final ranking process, the study provides a structured and transparent evaluation tool for use in real-world retrofitting scenarios. The model was validated through a case study on a 40-storey office building in Hong Kong.    Sanduni’s work contributes to the advancement of data-driven decision-making in the built environment and aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).    The Department congratulates Sanduni on this outstanding achievement and wishes her continued success in her academic journey.  

BEEE Study Tour 2025: A Memorable Learning Journey to Sydney, Australia

The BEEE Study Tour 2025 was successfully held in Sydney, Australia from 14 to 20 May 2025. A total of 33 students and 4 teachers participated in this enriching overseas experience. The accompanying teachers were Dr Cheung Hiu Dan Hilda, Professor Yuen Anthony Chun Yin, Professor Hou Cynthia, and Dr Tsang Tsz Wun, Hayley.   The study tour featured a variety of academic and cultural activities. On 15 May, participants enjoyed a campus tour and laboratory visit at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Website). The following day, students engaged in cultural exchange activities at UNSW, fostering international understanding and collaboration.   During the weekend, the group explored the vibrant city of Sydney, experiencing its unique culture and landmarks. On 19 May, the tour continued with a laboratory visit at Western Sydney University (WSU Website).   The BEEE Study Tour 2025 provided students with valuable insights into engineering education and research in Australia, while also broadening their global perspectives through cultural immersion. The tour was a memorable and rewarding experience for all participants.   The photo gallery can be found here.

BSE2S01 Students Lead Transformative STEM Workshop in Cambodia, Fostering Sustainability and Cultural Exchange

From December 30, 2024, to January 7, 2025, a dedicated group of 23 students and staff from the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), including Ir Professor Mui Kwok Wai Horace, Interim Dean of Students and Professor, and Ir Professor Wong Ling Tim, Associate Head (Partnership) and Associate Professor, embarked on a transformative Service-Learning project at Kurmul International School (KIS) in Cambodia. BSE2S01 Science for Healthy and Sustainable Living Environments, this initiative was designed to foster educational exchange and promote sustainability through a comprehensive STEM workshop, which directly benefited 65 Grade 10 students at KIS.   The workshop spanned four days, during which five groups of PolyU students engaged with the Cambodian students in dynamic and interactive sessions. These sessions were meticulously crafted to impart essential knowledge and skills related to sustainability, emphasizing practical applications and innovative thinking. The culmination of this educational journey was a spirited competition where all participating Cambodian students showcased their newfound understanding of sustainability concepts. This event not only highlighted the students' learning achievements but also created a vibrant and joyful atmosphere, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.   Beyond the academic and educational benefits, the project significantly enhanced the students' understanding of environmental issues and sustainable practices. It also served as a bridge, strengthening the relationship between PolyU BEEE and KIS, and fostering a rich cultural exchange that broadened global awareness among participants. The school expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to engage in such a meaningful cross-cultural collaboration, which deepened their understanding of sustainability and its global importance.   In addition to their teaching responsibilities, PolyU students immersed themselves in cultural training, gaining insights into Cambodia's recent history through visits to poignant sites such as S21 and the Killing Fields. These experiences provided a deeper context for their Service-Learning project, enriching their understanding of the local culture and history. The students also enjoyed a brief excursion to Siem Reap, where they marvelled at the world-renowned historical site, Angkor Wat. This visit added an extra layer of enrichment and memorability to their journey, making the entire experience both educational and personally rewarding.   The photo gallery can be found here.

New Assistant Professor – Prof. Guo Zhiling

BEEE is delighted to announce the appointment of Prof. Guo Zhiling as an Assistant Professor, effective from 19th May 2025. Prof. Guo has been an integral part of our community, and we look forward to his continued contributions in his new role.    Prof. Guo Zhiling earned his Master's and PhD degrees in Japan at the Center for Spatial Information Science, The University of Tokyo.    Prof. Guo’s research spans a broad range of interdisciplinary areas, including smart energy, data science, artificial internet of things (AIoT), and remote sensing. Upon completing his Ph.D., he gained valuable industrial experience as a Data Scientist in the R&D and IoT division of LocationMind Inc., Tokyo. He also held research positions at The University of Tokyo and served as a fellow under the prestigious Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).    In 2023, Prof. Guo joined the BEEE at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He currently serves as Director of the DigiEnergy Lab under the International Centre of Urban Energy Nexus (UEX). He also serves as Assistant Editor for Nexus (Cell Press) and Advances in Applied Energy (Elsevier).    Prof. Guo has contributed to a number of publications in reputable journals and conferences, with more than 1,700 citations, an h-index of 23, and an i10-index of 33. He has secured competitive research funding across Japan, Hong Kong, and Mainland China, including as Principal Investigator (PI) of the JSPS Young Scientists Fund and Co-PI of the National Key R&D Program of China.    Prof. Guo’s current research focuses on the development of high-resolution spatiotemporal datasets through generative AI-enhanced geospatial data, with applications for renewable energy mapping at a global scale. His work integrates remote sensing and machine learning to analyze building envelopes and identify photovoltaic (PV) panel characteristics. He also develops spatial-temporal models for estimating renewable energy generation potential, leveraging advanced spatial-physical modeling and deep learning techniques to deliver real-time, accurate, and scalable simulation results. In addition, Prof. Guo is leading the development of an interactive Renewable Energy Simulation and Digital Twin Toolkit, designed to support the design of smart energy infrastructure and facilitate data-driven decision-making for sustainable urban energy systems.