The conference “Carbon-Free Energy Utilisation Empowered by AI”, supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (RGC) under the NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme, was successfully held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) from 7 to 8 February. Jointly organised by PolyU and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the conference brought together more than 120 participants from leading institutions. Attendees included senior scholars, early-career researchers, and students from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Representatives from prominent research institutes and organisations, such as the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology and Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong), also took part.
The two-day programme featured presentations and in-depth discussions, co-chaired by the conference’s organising co-chairs, Prof. Yu GUAN, Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE) and Prof. Xi XIA of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The conference focused on deep integration of AI and carbon-free energy utilisation, fostering insightful discussions on cutting-edge research directions and technological innovations, and gathering valuable insights to advance green and low-carbon technologies.
Among the distinguished attendees were Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. H.C. Man, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Cheng Yick-chi Chair Professor in Manufacturing Engineering and Chair Professor of Materials Engineering and Prof. CHEN Wen-Hua, Interim Head of the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering and Chair Professor of Robotics and Autonomous Systems.
At the opening ceremony, Prof. CHAO, Conference Chair, delivered the welcome remarks. He noted that combating climate change and promoting sustainable development have become shared global priorities, with carbon-neutral technologies playing a pivotal role in this transition. He further highlighted that AI is rapidly transforming research paradigms and that its integration with carbon-neutral technologies can significantly accelerate both technological development and real-world application. Prof. Chao also expressed his hope that the conference would strengthen academic exchange between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, foster innovative thinking, and help translate research ideas into practical solutions towards a sustainable and intelligent energy future.
In his welcome address, Prof. WEN Chih Yung, Steering Co-Chair of the Conference Organising Committee, Head of AAE and Chair Professor of Aeronautical Engineering, noted that the carbon neutrality strategies of the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong reflect the global and inevitable transition toward clean energy systems. He highlighted the critical role of AI in driving innovation in energy technologies, emphasising that the integration of AI with carbon‑free energy lies at the core of the conference. Beyond strengthening academic exchange between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, the conference also placed strong emphasis on engaging and supporting early-career researchers to foster interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration.
Over the two-day programme, the technical sessions were rich in content and highly engaging. Renowned scholars, including Prof. Zhuyin REN and Prof. Bin YANG from Tsinghua University, Prof. Kun LUO from Zhejiang University, Prof. NI Meng, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, Head of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering and Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology of PolyU, and Prof. Minhua SHAO, from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, delivered keynote presentations. Their talks showcased key technological developments and applications of AI in carbon-free energy systems, including hydrogen and ammonia, and presented state-of-the-art research findings and innovative perspectives that sparked lively discussion among participants. Participants also visited the Aviation Services Research Centre and the Aviation Engineering Laboratory at PolyU. They expressed strong interest in PolyU’s research achievements and capabilities in aviation-related research.
In the closing remarks, Prof. Fei QI, Steering Co-Chair of the Conference Organising Committee from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, congratulated the organisers on the successful conference and thanked all supporting organisations and participants for their contributions. He noted that, centred on the integration of AI and carbon-free energy, the conference brought together diverse expertise for in-depth discussions on frontier technologies and major scientific challenges. Through these exchanges, participants strengthened their shared understanding and identified promising directions for future collaborative research and technology translation. Looking ahead, Prof. Qi expressed his hope that the conference would serve as a starting point for sustained collaboration and closer connectivity between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in this important research area.
