SEE Colloquium Explores Autonomous Technologies for a Greener Future at HKIA
SEE hosted an insightful Colloquium titled “Autonomous Drive Towards a Greener Future” on 4 November 2025, spotlighting the intersection of sustainability and smart mobility in airport operations. The event featured Ir Joseph Lam, General Manager of Technical Services Systems at the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing green innovation at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
Moderated by Prof. Edwin Chi-Yan Tso, Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach) at SEE, the colloquium drew a diverse audience of students, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals eager to explore how autonomous technologies are reshaping environmental strategies in large-scale infrastructure.
Ir Lam shared HKIA’s ambitious roadmap toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, highlighting key initiatives such as the electrification of airside vehicles, the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Pooling Scheme, and the deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to enhance emergency power resilience. He emphasized the importance of integrating predictive models and smart control systems to optimize energy use, particularly in air-conditioning and mobility operations.
Through detailed case studies, Ir Lam illustrated how HKIA has become a global leader in sustainable airport management. From installing over 800 EV chargers and expanding to 1,320 by 2030, to implementing solar PV technologies and predictive cooling systems, HKIA’s transformation reflects a commitment to both technological advancement and environmental stewardship.
The presentation also addressed critical challenges such as airport height restrictions, glare mitigation, and communication signal integrity, underscoring the complexity of deploying renewable energy systems in aviation environments.
SEE expressed its sincere appreciation to Ir Joseph Lam for the thought-provoking perspectives he shared during the colloquium. The session reinforced SEE’s mission to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and equip students with the knowledge to lead in sustainability and smart infrastructure.
SEE remains committed to industry engagement and experiential learning, empowering the next generation to drive meaningful change in energy and environmental systems.
Ir Joseph Lam (right) receives a souvenir from Prof. Edwin Tso, Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach) of SEE (left), following the colloquium.