ICT firms call for smart grid standard Some of the world's biggest internet and communications technology (ICT) companies have tasked a new International Telecommunications Union (ITU) group with identifying standards needed for the world's new smart grid deployments, which will bring the benefits of digital technology to existing electricity networks. "While work has been taking place in ITU-T study groups on this topic for some time, there was a need to engage with a wider community," said Malcolm Johnson, director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau. "In this case, the focus group allows access to all stakeholders and in particular a key part of the smart grid equation - the electricity companies themselves." The smart grid will consist of solutions based on both current and future telecommunication technologies for command and control, metering, and charging. ITU will explore these requirements and corresponding standards needs. Further, the idea that smart grid principles could apply to the telecommunication system itself could be a topic for discussion. According to a study by ABI Research, the number of smart electric meters deployed worldwide will rise from a 2009 level of 76 million to reach about 212 million in 2014. ITU experts have already agreed on specifications for smart grid products for home networks. The specifications include a 'low complexity' profile that will allow multiple manufacturers to develop products that deliver the low power consumption, low cost, performance, reliability, and security required for smart grid and other lower bit rate applications.

Mycar finds US auto partner The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and its business partner EuAuto Technology Ltd have signed an agreement with US automaker GreenTech Automotive (GTA) to market Hong Kong's first home-grown electric vehicle in the US. PolyU initiated the Mycar project in 2001 and later partnered with EuAuto to develop and launch the electric vehicle. In late 2003, the concept vehicle debuted at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy. Mycar, which has a body designed by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, obtained the World Manufacturer Identification (WMI) Code in 2009 and went on sale in many European countries including the UK, France, Italy, Austria and Denmark. It is the first Hong Kong-developed vehicle to fully comply with European standards and also the first home-grown vehicle to hit the international market. It has been introduced to Denmark's Bornholm Island, where the Danish Government will deploy a fleet for rentals by tourists. Mycar was granted approval as a private car by Hong Kong's Transport Department and permitted on roads with a speed limit of 50km/hr or below.

Tenders invited for Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel The Highways Department is inviting tenders for the Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel (North Point Section) and Island Eastern Corridor Link contract (Contract No HY/2009/19). The works mainly comprise: - construction of a 300 m section of tunnel in North Point at the east portal - construction of an approach road to the tunnel - modification of Island Eastern Corridor between Hing Fat Street and Po Leung Kuk Yu Lee Mo Fan Memorial School - modification of Victoria Park Road and Hing Fat Street junction and adjacent roadworks - construction of sub-structures for the administration building and east ventilation building - demolition of Rumsey Street Flyover eastbound down ramp in Central - associated works including landscaped deck, noise barriers, noise semi-enclosures, road drainage and landscaping works AECOM Asia Co Ltd has been appointed to design and supervise the construction works, which are expected to commence in September 2010 for completion in 2017. The deadline for tender submission is 30 July 2010.

PolyU and CAST seal research collaboration agreement The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) have signed an agreement to formalise research collaboration related to China's lunar exploration programme. Prof Yung Kai-leung, associate head of PolyU's Department of Industrial & System Engineering, will lead the project. He will work closely with CAST experts on the development of a "camera pointing system", a sophisticated tool capable of deploying a camera and controlling its rotational and tilting movement with precision. The camera serves the dual function of image-capture and surveillance. The system is designed to operate under extreme environment with a high degree of adaptability. Prof Yung is highly experienced in developing state-of-the-art space tools, including the Mars rock corer for the European Space Agency's Mars Express Mission in 2003 and the space holinser forceps for the former MIR Space Station. He is also responsible for developing the soil preparation system for the Sino-Russian space mission "Phobos Grunt", to be launched in 2011.

The soil preparation system developed by Prof Yung for Phobos Grunt. Source: PolyU

BD issues new guidelines on disclosure of GFA concessions The Buildings Department (BD) has issued a revised practice note requiring a detailed breakdown of all gross floor area (GFA) concessions granted in new building developments to be shown on building plans. According to BD, the revised practice note was issued to enhance transparency of information on GFA concessions in newly completed buildings. "The revised practice note requires that in making application for approval of a building development involving GFA concessions, a detailed breakdown of the areas of all kinds of GFA concessions, including exempted, disregarded and bonus GFA, should be clearly specified on the final building plans submitted to the Building Authority for approval," a BD spokesperson said. The new arrangement will supersede the existing practice that authorised persons (APs) only have to specify on the building plans the areas eligible for bonus GFA and certain kinds of facilities exempted from GFA which are subject to a cap on the GFA concessions (such as balconies, wider common corridors and lift lobbies, recreational facilities, etc), while the disregarded or exempted GFA of other facilities such as car parks and plant rooms are not required to be specified on the plans. Apart from the requirement to specify the areas of various GFA concessions on the building plans, the revised practice note also requires APs to provide a summary of all GFA concessions upon application for occupation permits (OPs). BD will publish the summary of GFA concessions on its website after issuance of OP for the respective building development. The revised practice note will apply to newly completed buildings for which an application for an OP is submitted on or after 1 September 2010.

Call for West Kowloon Terminus prequalification The MTR Corporation is inviting contractors to participate in prequalification for the West Kowloon Terminus Station North contract (Contract No 810A) of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) project. The contract covers construction of the northern portion of the West Kowloon Terminus at West Kowloon, adjacent to Kowloon Station and Austin Station. Major elements of works under the contract comprise: - Bulk excavation of approximately 1 million cu m of spoil, including 150,000 cu m of rock - Installation of geotechnical instrumentation and dewatering equipment - Structure of northern portion of West Kowloon terminus (with a plan area of approximately 61,000 sq m) - Architectural builders' works and finishes (ABWF) and specialist architectural works - Entrance building structural steel roof structure, inclusive of external wall cladding and glazing systems - Roadworks, underpass, footbridges and subways - Diversion of existing utilities Invitation to tender is due to be issued in the fourth quarter of this year for award in the third quarter of 2011. The contract is due for completion in 2015. The deadline for submitting the relevant documents is 31 August 2010.

AECOM appointed consultant for Kai Tak Cruise Terminal AECOM Technology Corp has been engaged by Dragages Hong Kong Ltd, the design and build contractor for the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, to provide a wide range of design and professional services for the project. Located at the southern end of the former runway, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal will be developed on a 7.6 ha site, along with a range of tourist facilities including hotels, malls and an aviation-themed park. AECOM will work on areas including civil, structural and geotechnical engineering, building services and fire engineering, traffic engineering, environmental, acoustic and sustainable design, space planning for cruise terminal design, as well as landscape design. "The project features long span structures, and many green initiatives will be incorporated into the design. Our multi-disciplinary collaboration and extensive knowledge of the Kai Tak area will be an added value contribution to the success of the project," said AECOM chief executive, Asia, Ir Tony Shum.

Preserving Lung Tsun Stone Bridge Preserving Lung Tsun Stone Bridge

The Civil Engineering & Development Department (CEDD), in collaboration with the Antiquities & Monuments Office and the Planning Department, has organised two workshops to gather views on the preservation of the Lung Tsun Stone Bridge, remnants of which (pictured) were unearthed in the Kai Tak development area. Built in 1873, the 200 m bridge was once the landing pier that linked to the access road leading to the Kowloon Walled City main gate. It was completely buried in 1942, during the Japanese occupation in the Second World War.

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