The Hong Kong Observatory participated in the 2008 HK Renewable Energy Open Team Competition on 29 November 2008 at Hong Kong Science Park in Shatin.  The competition aimed to arouse the public's awareness of renewable energy and sustainable technologies and their applications.  The Observatory rendered full support to this meaningful activity.

As early as the 1980s, the Observatory began using solar energy to power automatic weather station on a remote island.  In late 1990s, when Hong Kong decided to build the new airport at Chek Lap Kok, there was a necessity to set up a number of automatic weather stations at sea, remote islands and on hilltops to monitor windshear. Solar energy, supplemented later by wind energy, was proved to be very useful.  Not only they were economical to set up and environmentally friendly, they were the only source of power at some remote locations.  The Observatory took the opportunity of the competition to present how renewable energy is used in real life to the public

The competition venue was crowded with people and filled with joy.  People showed great interest to the exhibits of the Observatory.  Mr. Yuen Fu Tat, the team leader of the airport electronic maintenance team of the Observatory said, "I am very pleased to be involved in this meaningful activity.  When I saw so many youngsters listening carefully to our introduction and raising questions enthusiastically, I feel that all our effort put into the competition is worthwhile."  During the competition, an organization approached the Observatory with great interest, and requested for borrowing our exhibits for their future promotion of renewable energy in daily life to youngsters.

The exhibits of the Observatory on application of solar and wind energy at automatic weather station

Exhibits of the Observatory attracted a lot of attention, particularly from youngsters