The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) under the Development Bureau has been offering one-stop engineering and mechanical services to all government departments. Working closely with many universities and research institutes, the EMSD has taken on the role of the “Innovation Facilitator”, providing assistance to various policy bureaux and departments in identifying and applying suitable Innovation and Technology (I&T) solutions in order to improve services and enhance efficiency. I am pleased that the EMSD has achieved excellent results at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva receiving 23 awards this year, which is a record high. This time, I have invited colleagues from the EMSD to tell us how they inject innovative thinking into their work culture and share with us some of the projects that have been awarded accolades.

E&M 2.0 - Digitalisation Journey

Chief Engineer (Digitalisation & Technology) of the EMSD, Mr LEE Che-kit, says that in 2018, the department formulated a five-year strategy plan to take forward “E&M 2.0 - Digitalisation Journey” to provide digitised E&M engineering solutions for government departments. For this purpose, the department has set up the Digitalisation and Technology Division and the Inno-Office to enhance digital transformation and, at the same time, promote the development and application of I&T. For instance, to create a better I&T ambience and provide one-stop support for various government departments, the Inno-Office has teamed up with colleagues from different sections of the department. They also collaborate with the I&T sector on various projects.

E&M InnoPortal and E&M InnoZone

The EMSD launched the E&M InnoPortal in 2018 where the service wishes of various government departments, public organisations and the E&M trades are listed. The I&T sector, including start-ups and universities, can then propose relevant I&T solutions for matching. The EMSD will carry out site trials for some of the solutions in order to support and facilitate the adoption of innovative technologies to improve government services, with a view to helping with smart city initiatives and achieving carbon neutrality. Since its establishment, the online platform has gathered more than 1 100 I&T solutions and about 460 I&T wishes. Matching for more than 180 trial projects has been completed, which include lift safety improvement, real-time inspection of power supply systems and other projects that support smart city development in Hong Kong.

Moreover, to promote the adoption of I&T to stakeholders and publicise I&T achievements, the department has set up the E&M InnoZone at its headquarters.

International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva

The International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva is one of the most significant global annual events on inventions. About 1 000 inventions from 40 countries and regions were evaluated by the international jury of specialists in the 48th exhibition held this year, with the EMSD receiving 23 awards, including one special award, three gold awards, seven silver awards and 12 bronze awards. I am very pleased that our I&T achievements and hard work have won recognition.

Gold and Special Award – Tramway Derailment and Collision Prevention System

Engineer (Railways) of the EMSD, Ms AU Wing-sze says that in order to enhance tramway safety, the department and the Hong Kong Tramways have jointly developed a safety system, in which the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Light Ranging and Detection (LiDAR) are installed at the top and the bumper area of tramcars respectively to provide real-time detection of foreign objects in the track groove. Once a foreign object is detected, the system will instantly alert the driver to prevent the tram from derailment due to foreign objects.

Gold Award – Smart Antifouling Seawater Screen

Engineer (Health Sector) of the EMSD, Mr CHOW Pak-hong says that the bio-fouling dirt on the seawater screen will restrict water flow and hence impair the seawater cooling system’s efficiency. The Smart Antifouling Seawater Screen uses ultra-sound technology to prevent the forming of biofilm. Also, it is not necessary to suspend the seawater system during cleaning, cutting about 80 percent of labour cost. Based on the smart dirt data, it can automatically adjust its mode of operation to enhance efficiency.

Gold Award – Renewable-energy Explorer

Senior Engineer (Energy Efficiency) of the EMSD, Ms CHEUNG Man-chit, Jovian, says that the Renewable-energy Explorer (iSEE) can collect real-time weather data, which can give a more accurate estimation of potential power generation of the renewable energy system and the returns it can bring, enhancing investors’ and users’ confidence in installing the renewable energy system. The data collected by iSEE can be used by the Government and various parties on a sharing platform for technology development, with a view to promoting renewable energy and achieving carbon neutrality.

Silver Award and South Korea Fire Services Association Special Award – Intelligent Tanker Robot

Senior Engineer (Gas Standards) of the EMSD, Mr CHEUNG Chin-king, and Engineer (Gas Standards) of the EMSD, Mr WONG Chun-yin, Anson, tell us that the intelligent Tanker Robot is equipped with wall climbing capability, which can take real-time images inside the oil tanker with high-resolution. It is also equipped with ultra-sound inspection modules that can measure the thickness of the tanker wall and inspect the integrity of the welding joints. The robot helps shorten the time of tanker inspection and can improve the occupational safety performance of the industry.

As an E&M engineering services provider and I&T facilitator, the EMSD will continue to partner with various parties to provide full support for government departments to implement smart city initiatives and achieve carbon neutrality.