Pictured at right: representatives from GE, TPC, and TCG with the challenge winners. Masking is not required for certain activities (e.g., when taking photos) as per local regulations.
Ranking 57 among 61 countries in the Climate Change Performance Index 2021, Taiwan is reaching higher to offset greenhouse gases and integrate renewables.
In partnership with Taoyuan City Government (TCG) and Taiwan Power Company (TPC), GE awarded over NT$1 million to winning innovations for smarter electricity and decarbonization.
What exactly is GE’s Innovation Challenge? In collaboration with TCG and TPC, this healthy competition’s objective was to crowdsource new approaches to decarbonizing power and reducing energy consumption for the island of Taiwan.
While a first in Asia, the contest was an open invitation beyond the Taiwan’s four walls. Industry experts, higher-education students, youth from Taiwan, and youth from abroad answered the call. Selected teams fell into two categories: elite groups and student groups. Ultimately, 10 teams from each group competed, but only six would place in the finals.
The chance to strut sustainability ingenuity attracted 116 entries. It was a tall order, but GE and Taoyuan City Government wanted to see who in the world could best conceive of a cleaner, environment-friendly system to balance the island’s grid—and plant more seeds for Taiwan’s circular economy.
Prepared with just a few briefing sessions and online workshops, the teams developed solutions that would be ranked according to the following rubric.
anticipated impact
practicality
sustainability
scalability
innovation
The 10 finalists from both student and elite categories advanced to the final round, presenting ideas to a panel of judges from GE, TPC, TCG, Chung Yuan Christian University, and Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology.
First place winner received NT$250,000; second place NT$150,000; and third place NT$100,000. In addition, a special prize of NT$10,000 was awarded to 10 chosen students.
In the elite category, DOMI took first place for its “Lighting Unlimited Hope.” This innovative model electronically links banks with families in need, which would replace home lighting for free with low-consumption alternatives.
Second place went to Ecofirst Co., Ltd. for its ground-breaking air-conditioning system that would use an AI-controlled water chiller to cut energy usage by 45%.
Sustainable Systems landed in third place for its idea of a public carbon collection initiative; one that uses an internet-based carbon-reduction business model.
For the student category, Hot Rongrong placed first for their Combined Heat and Power Cogeneration System and Hot Water Supply Module, which applies innovation to traditional technology with proof-of-concept.
Intersecting Water and Peach’s micro-water system was selected for the second prize and seeks to solve energy and water pollution by leveraging sewer and hydro generator systems at water recycling centers.
Third place was awarded to students from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. Their Wind Digester would transfer and reduce wind pressure on high-rises, tackling structural issues while generating electricity.
GE’s Innovation Challenge with us was a widely supported idea. We expect it will result in bright energy solutions, and also encourage coming generations to care more about energy issues like Taiwan’s. Let’s create a better future for this beautiful island.
Chung Bin-li
President, Taiwan Power Company
Taoyuan City is expanding its renewables with an energy transformation based on coal reduction, liquid natural gas increase, and non-nuclear energy. This new energy mix is aimed at success by 2025 but has been bolstered by the Innovation Challenge’s collective ingenuity.
GE’s been playing an important role in supporting the development of Taiwan since 1961 via the domains of Healthcare, Aviation, and Power businesses. With GE having started the challenge, GE Gas Power Asia President and CEO, Ramesh Singaram, is proud to say, “We’ve seen ideas that can push Taiwan’s decarbonization. I’m impressed by the quality of talent, because every contestant displayed a level of innovation that will be key in steering us toward a low-carbon future."