IGEM FEDS Chairman
Mr Zhou Heng-xiang
Chairman of IGEM - Far East District Section (2023/2024)
June 2023
Session 2022/23 marks a busy and rewarding year for IGEM FEDS, especially with the subsiding of the epidemic situation in the latter half of the Session. A host of activities were successfully conducted to disseminate innovative technologies and best practices in the gas and energy field. Constructive collaboration is kept on building with relevant professional bodies in organising some of the activities. I am greatly indebted to the dedicated commitment and concerted effort of the management committee members, together with the staunch support of other FEDS members in organising or attending the activities. During the session, a wide array of activities was well organised embracing a number of technical seminars and visits, a delegation to Japan, and a Young Perons Paper Competition. I am pleased to highlight the following key activities
On 24 August 2022, a seminar on “LNG Floating Storage and Regasification Unit” was held in hybrid mode and attracted an overwhelming response with over 300 attendees. On 16 September, another hybrid mode seminar on "Implication for Energy Future: From ESG, Climate Risks to Carbon Neutrality” was successfully held with over 400 attendees. We aim to promote the industry partitioners to pursue carbon neutrality. We then organised our flagship annual event the “Young Persons Paper competition (YPPC)”. It was encouraging to secure 68 submissions, of which 8 were subsequently shortlisted to present their papers at the Section Final on 27 October. We are very honour to have Mr Alfred Sit, our Hon Advisor and the former Secretary for Innovation and Technology of HKSAR as the Chief Judge. Two winners were then nominated to join the Final at UK held on 14 December.
.We are eager to update the knowledge of our members and engaged as one of the co-organisers for the International Conference “Hydrogen and Clear Energy to Net Zero” held on early December. Besides, with a view to motivate our young members in networking with other professional counterparts, we have sponsored some young members to participate in the Joint Christmas Party on 9 December, being organised by 14 engineering-related societies including FEDS.
With the relaxation of the travelling restrictions owing to the epidemic impact, an overseas technical visit to Japan was organised from 16 to 19 April 2023, focusing mainly on hydrogen facilities such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Takasago Machinery Works and Hydrogen Bus. Participants had widened their exposure in hydrogen manufacturing and storage, hydrogen gas turbine, fuel cell and the safety devices for hydrogen. Another technical visit to Sinopec Oil Terminal in Hong Kong was conducted on 6 May. Besides, we had arranged an experience sharing session by our YPPC winners to our members in Mainland China on 8 May.
Another critical event is the IGEM Presidential Visit. We are delighted to have IGEM Immediate Past Presidential Mr Ben Clarke and Chief Executive Officer Mr Oliver Lancaster visiting FEDS from 26 March to 1 April 2023. It was kicked off with a greeting with HKIE on 27 March, including the signing for the renewal of Reciprocal Recognition Agreement between HKIE and IGEM. The activities at Hong Kong cover a visit to the Towngas Tai Po Gas Production Plant and a Presidential Talk cum New Members Reception. A tour to Mainland China was then made, with a visit to Hua Yan Water and a Presidential Talk and Dinner with FEDS Mainland members at Suzhou, as well as a visit to Vemm Tec (a supplier of measuring instruments) and Shanghai Fiorentini at Shanghai.
In summary, on-going effort is devoted to prevail over the challenges in promotion of IGEM or FEDS identity, retention and acquisition of members, enhancement of services to members and dissemination of contemporary technology in particular hydrogen knowledge. Also, attention is drawn to the young generation. To this end, we had revamped our working groups to three groups, namely Activity, IA Support & E-Platform, and YPN & YPPC. In addition, we strive to enhance our collaboration with relevant parties. The RRA between IGEM and FEDS was renewed. Also, I had delivered a video presentation in the kick-off ceremony of the Hong Kong E&M Best Practices Panel. Furthermore, we sought to develop cooperation with Jiangsu Gas Association (江苏省燃气协会), China City Gas Association (中国城市燃气协), Suzhou Towngas Training Centre(苏州港华燃气培训中心), and an MOU was signed with the latter. In addition, we have engaged in the 12th Gas Safety and Operation Conference in China, and our committee member Mr Desmond Cheung had made a presentation in connection with safety management on behalf of FEDS. Our representative (Ms Helen Zhang) had visited the 2023 China Gas Expo held in April with the identification of some potential IA members.
To strengthen the communication with our members especially for arousing the interest of our young members and IAs, we had reinforced our Webpage and WeChat platform with regular update. Our membership had reached 206 individual members and 55 IAs.
Last but not least, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks again to all fellow Management Committee Members. Undoubtedly, all their hard work has been translated into incredible outcome.