Driving Global Energy Transformation: TPC’s Commitment Through IERE

Taiwan Power Company has been an IERE member since the 2001 IERE reorganization and has shaped our approach to international partnerships through over a quarter-century of collaboration. We’ve participated in numerous workshops and research projects, building relationships that extend far beyond formal meetings.

Marking a significant milestone, we co-hosted the “2025 IERE-TPC Taipei Net-Zero Workshop” with IERE for the first time. This collaboration goes beyond a typical conference, it reflects our commitment to energy transformation and demonstrates our proactive stance on addressing global challenges. For us, it’s about stepping up to the plate when the industry needs leadership.

During this workshop, I’ve been deeply involved in the organizational efforts while also delivering a keynote presentation titled “Leading Diversified Innovation to Shape the Energy Future – The R&D Strategy of TPC.” I’m also actively engaged in IERE’s “Technology Foresight Project,” which offers exceptional value through its practical applications and forward-thinking methodology. It consistently provides direction for our research priorities.

IERE functions as a unique global non-profit organization, creating vital connections between electricity and energy suppliers, equipment manufacturers, academic institutions, and government agencies. It serves as an essential forum for exchanging cutting-edge technologies and research insights across the power and energy sectors. In today’s global movement “Towards Net-Zero,” this Taipei workshop focused on critical areas including low-carbon technologies, grid resilience, and smart energy management.

What strikes me most about IERE’s initiatives, particularly this workshop, is their ability to create genuine opportunities for international professional dialogue and knowledge exchange. These interactions do more than build consensus and inspire innovation—they help map out a clearer trajectory for the global power industry’s net-zero journey. IERE Chair Munib Amin captured this perfectly, emphasizing that addressing today’s climate and energy challenges requires the power industry to accelerate innovative strategy adoption, with international collaboration being absolutely essential for breaking through existing frameworks and achieving meaningful energy innovation.

I’m optimistic about IERE’s continued evolution as the premier international platform for electricity research collaboration. I’m particularly interested in seeing the “Technology Foresight Project” advance to its next phase, as this will provide crucial strategic support for all member organizations.

At TPC, our R&D philosophy revolves around being “strategy -driven, problem-solving, and practically implementation.” We’re not pursuing technology for its own sake—we’re committed to developing meaningful, valuable solutions that create tangible impact. This is why IERE’s mission to foster strategic partnerships among global industry leaders, academic institutions, and governments resonates so strongly with our values. Together, we can address energy transition challenges directly and drive sustainable innovation through our collective expertise.

I believe that by continuously strengthening international partnerships, we can collaboratively create a new era of clean energy that benefits communities worldwide.

——Profile of Hsiao-Wei CHEN, Dr.
Director of R&D Planning Office, Taiwan Power Research Institute (TPRI), Taiwan Power Company (TPC), Taiwan, Member of IERE since 2001.

“As Director of the R&D Planning Office at TPRI, part of TPC, I lead strategic research projects focused on energy transition and achieving net-zero goals. My primary responsibility is driving innovative technology applications and ensuring they make a meaningful impact across our operations. It’s about bridging the gap between breakthrough research and real-world implementation.”