LEAD Scheme: Impact Creator Award to SEE Final Year Student

A student from the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has been selected as one of the winners of the Final Year Project – Impact Creator Award under the Learning: Experience, Achieve, and Develop (LEAD) Scheme. The winning project, titled “Sustainable Offshore Floating Platform for Synergetic Energy-Water-Food Nexus”, captivated the judges with its groundbreaking integration of engineering and sustainability to tackle pressing challenges in energy, water, and food security.

Under the supervision of Prof. WU Wei, the Associate Professor of SEE, and Mr. LI Fuxiang, a PhD student, Ms. LAN Qingyang developed this innovative system as her final year project. The design addresses critical issues faced by land-scarce coastal cities like Hong Kong, where limited space, reliance on intensive energy supplies, food imports, and freshwater scarcity intersect. The project presents a triple solution: developing a floating solar PV (FPV) system above the ocean with passive thermal management, a solar-driven desalination system, and a farming area with drip irrigation. Experimental results demonstrate that a novel hydrophilic fabric evaporator passively cools photovoltaic (PV) panels, reducing operating temperatures by 13.7°C (25.2%) and boosting power output by 5.7%. Simultaneously, the waste heat from PV panels evaporates seawater, producing 2.8 liters of freshwater per square meter during the experiment hours. The project aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

The LEAD Scheme panels recognize the projects that merge creativity with tangible societal benefits. Ms. LAN’s work demonstrates strong potential for real-world impact, especially in coastal urban environments like Hong Kong, which reflects the Award’s emphasis on creativity, problem-solving, and meaningful real-world impact. This achievement not only reflects the student's dedication but also underscores the team’s invaluable mentorship.

SEE will continuously play a significant role in nurturing excellent student work and promoting a culture of innovation at CityUHK. Congratulations to Ms. LAN and Prof. WU’s team!