#shiningwithoutboundaries

Kirsi FAN and Michael WANG, Year 3 students of Environmental Management and Technology Program (EVMT) participated in Schneider Electric’s international business case competition “Go Green in the City”. Team of the two was crowned as the winner in Greater China Region and presented their idea in Schneider Electric Innovation Summit in Barcelona as one of the Global Round Finalists.

“Go Green in the City” is an international business case challenge organized by Schneider Electric. It aims at supporting the emergence of innovative solutions to meet future challenges in intelligent energy. Students from different institutes all over the globe are required to submit ideas for a solution to any of the world’s energy problems, or one of the Schneider Electric’s four business case challenges.

This year, Kirsi and Michael formed the group and introduced an innovative and eco-friendly solution for reducing electricity consumed by elevators and water pumping systems. By utilizing the wastewater to be discharged to the bottom drainage and the freshwater to be transported to upper floors, they adjust the counterweight and make it equal to the loaded elevator car, thus greatly reducing the electricity consumed by both systems.

During the preparation for the final presentation, they did have a hard time in revising the proposal and working on the feasibility and operation of the idea especially both of them were on exchange with 8 hour of time difference. Fortunately, they received a lot of useful feedback from their mentor Mr. Kenneth Yeun, Head of Key Account & Building Solution in Schneider Electric Hong Kong. They also got to know Jasmine Lee, an EVMT alumni winning the same competition in 2014! She is currently working in Schneider Hong Kong and in charge of the End User Business and Operations in Hong Kong and Greater China. Based on Kenneth and Jasmine’s advice and suggestions, they did further research and worked on the calculations to find ways to enhance the project. They would like to send their heartfelt thanks to Kenneth and Jasmine.

Kirsi and Michael shared “We were impressed and inspired by other finalists. There were teams whose ideas had already been put into action and running quite well; and teams who brought up ideas we have never thought about. There was so much to learn from each other and it was a great opportunity to expand our perspectives to view as well as seeking sustainable solutions for the world!”

It was the first time for Kirsi and Michael to participate in such competition as a team. Two of them made a great team and worked along very well. “We got inspirations from each other and are always willing to offer help. We feel passion, support and care within the team, which made us work more efficiently. We’re excited in fighting through to the global final and go to Barcelona together. It was an excellent journey!”