HKUST and Towngas Jointly Establish Hong Kong’s First Hydrogen Energy Industry Innovation Platform
Prof. Minhua SHAO, Director of the Energy Institute, Head and Chair Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at HKUST, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mr. Jun ZHOU, Head of the Technology Application Centre of Towngas, to officially launch Hong Kong’s first hydrogen energy innovation platform.
Witnessed by HKUST and Towngas leadership, the agreement marks a new chapter in industry-academia-research collaboration to advance hydrogen energy development. The partnership will establish the Hong Kong Hydrogen Hub, an open innovation platform focusing on five pillars: technology commercialisation, startup incubation, policy and standards formulation, green certification, and professional talent development. Research will target hydrogen production, storage and safety, fuel cells, and energy generation, while cultivating innovative talent to meet industry needs.
Aligned with the national 15th Five-Year Plan and the HKSAR Government’s Strategy of Hydrogen Development, the Hub aims to position Hong Kong as a demonstration base for hydrogen energy and a driver of industry growth across the Belt and Road region. By combining HKUST’s strengths in hydrogen R&D and Towngas’ expertise in hydrogen storage, transportation, and application, the collaboration will accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future and contribute to global carbon neutrality efforts.
Prof. Penger TONG highlighted HKUST’s commitment to sustainable energy innovation through the Energy Institute, while Mr. Edmund YEUNG of Towngas emphasized the role of deep industry-academia collaboration in advancing the nation’s dual-carbon goals. Together, HKUST and Towngas aim to make the Hong Kong Hydrogen Hub a catalyst for translating hydrogen technologies from laboratory breakthroughs to real-world deployment.
(This news was originally published by the HKUST Global Engagement and Communications Office here).
