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24 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE REPORT 2020 OUR ESG APPROACH 25

Innovation in Action Key Innovation Projects

Innovation is an important element of our corporate culture at Towngas. To encourage new and innovative As an innovation-driven company, we are taking advantage of the trend in digital transformation to produce
ideas that benefit our business, we have established a number of platforms and initiatives that inspire our advanced new features that make our gas facilities safer and more convenient for customers. Many of the
staff and help them to acquire an innovative mindset. innovations developed at Towngas, including those that are part of our smart home concept, are created by our
staff with financial assistance from our Innovation Funding programme.

The Innovation Funding programme we set up in Hong Kong in 2016 provides financial incentives for our staff
to develop creative new proposals that support our business expansion in any part of the Company. In 2019, Optical Light Back Protection Device
the Funding was extended to mainland China. So far, we have disbursed up to HK$1.78 million in grants for
21 projects undertaken in both Hong Kong and mainland China. In 2020, four new projects were approved This Optical Light Back Protection Device detects light instead of sensing temperatures inside a gas cooking
and under development. appliance. As a result, the detection time is shortened, reducing the possibility of damage to the appliance while
also contributing to better gas safety.
We also share information about emerging technologies at Towngas and the industry through our publication,
Innovation Headlines, as well as through seminars, company tours and social platforms such as Facebook, Smart Gas Meter
Yammer and WeChat.
By adding an internal valve and intelligent control logic unit, our smart gas meters now include over-
flow detection, continuous leakage detection and regular safety inspection alert functions. This ensures
Innovation Platforms at Towngas the gas supply is automatically cut off and that Towngas is notified if any
abnormalities are detected.

We also introduced a new device which was invented to upgrade the
Dream Zone meters currently in use in older buildings. This device could be mounted
Dream Zone is a collaborative, relaxed easily onto the gas meter to automatically report the meter reading to our
venue conducive to creative thinking. system via home Wi-Fi on a monthly basis, thus eliminating the tedious
It provides information on various chore of taking meter readings manually while enhancing accuracy of
innovation tools with a space reserved meter reading.
for brainstorming.

Towngas Hall of Innovation

This showcase of original concepts Thanks to the Innovation Funding programme, we were able to develop the Water Heater
developed by colleagues features ideas Hydropower Generator Module, which converts the energy generated by flowing water
that have enhanced Towngas’ service into electricity for igniting an appliance. Batteries are no longer required.
and efficiency. It was relocated to a
larger venue in 2020 in order to display From concept to development, the
more inventions in future. entire project took us nearly two years
to complete, and installation of the
module in existing water heaters is
G = i x i Lab ongoing. The module not only adds
convenience for our customers but
The G = i x i Lab, equipped with a also reduces the impact of discarded
3D printer and scanner, is a place batteries on the environment.
where staff can turn creative ideas into
practical applications.