Taipower has completed research on circular economies, and continues to take inventory of potential materials based on energy and resource inputs and outputs of the power industry value chains for generation, transmission, supply, and distribution. Taipower continues to implement circular economy action plans based on the Circular Economy Strategy Blueprint for subsequent planning and implementation. In the future, the Company will continue to update the implementation strategies of the blueprint on a rolling basis, and to create circular economy action plans to facilitate subsequent implementation.
Taipower’s Short, Medium and Long-Term Environmental Policy Goals
|
Strategy |
Focus on circular innovationKey strategic dimension |
Establish a circular business model |
Short-term goal - by 2022 |
Medium-term goal - by 2025 |
Long-term goal - by 2030 |
|
Complete the pilot of a circular business model |
Implement the circular resource supply model |
Establish a circular economy system |
In order to better implement its environmental policy commitments, Taipower held an Expert Advisory Commission in October 2020. The commission conducted in-depth discussions on the Taipower circular economy strategic framework and promotion plan for product service applications. Considering the unique circular economy mindset of the power industry, Taipower needs to explore the possibility of constructing a recycling loop from planning and design, resource procurement and power manufacturing infrastructure to power supply, sales, services, and to the final stages of disposal and reclamation. The strategic blueprint framework of the circular economy starts with energy and resources. In terms of energy, Taipower specializes in and continuously strives to optimize the efficiency of power generation, transmission, and distribution, and gives consideration to the development of power reclamation.
In terms of resources, power infrastructure is Taipower's largest asset. The concept of circular construction is being incorporated into the design, procurement, construction, maintenance, operation, and decommissioning of relevant infrastructure and generation equipment. Taipower used the events of its “Environment Month” in May 2021 to disclose the strategic blueprint framework to the public (see p.10 of the special issue of this report). To implement a circular economy within Taipower, the Company has produced more than 20 action plans through hosting a World Café event in May 2021. In the future, it will combine these plans with the circular economy strategy framework to create a circular economy action plan.
Taipower held a Workshop on Circular Construction Benchmarking in October 2022. Through a combination of workshops and on-site visits trainees are inspired to come up with ideas for promoting circular construction at future facility sites. Additionally, Taipower held a Seminar on Circular and Sustainable Construction Projects in August 2023. The program strengthened the concept of circular construction among employees, built consensus, and led to the development of Taipower Circular Construction Implementation Guidelines that facilitate the introduction and practical application of circular construction concepts, and will therefore help Taipower plan and implement circular construction practices.
Hsinta Power Plant’s Yongan Wetland
The Yongan Wetland was originally the Wushulin Salt Field built during the Japanese colonial period. In 1984, as the salt industry went through a transformation and the property rights were transferred to Taipower for power development. In addition to retaining the county- designated Wushulin Salt Co., Ltd. historic site, Taipower tried to reduce development in the area and to avoid bird habitats when undertaking necessary development. The Company also planned a 41.25-hectare wetland reserve, a 15-hectare ecological buffer zone, a green belt, and a conservation area, thereby reserving two-thirds of the area as environmental protection land. As of 2020, the construction of new gas-fired combined cycle units at the Hsinta Power Plant had started. In addition to using eco-friendly construction methods, the total power generation capacity was 3.9 GW. Upon completion, the units will provide high-quality low-carbon electricity.
The Hsinta Power Plant will use the "Coastal Wetland Ecological Corridor Bird Paradise" as its blueprint for preserving the flood prevention and bird diversity functions of the Yongan Wetland, and in carrying out in-depth and sustainable cooperation with communities to eliminate invasive species and restore habitats, gradually implementing ecological protection actions when building power plants, and cooperating with partners to promote and strengthen environmental education.
TPCreative: A Circular Economy Brand
The TPCreative brand was formally launched in 2019. With the circular economy as the core concept of the brand, TPCreative cooperates with professional designers that use discarded and waste materials generated during the power generation process and combined them with elements of Taipower's identity to explore the feasibility of developing cultural and creative products. Through the display and sale of these creative products, the public is able to see a different side of Taipower. This helps to narrow the distance between the Company and the public and thereby enhances the Company's corporate image.
The WhimsE010 reading light
TPCreative launched a new product on Earth Day 2020. The WhimsE010 reading light is made with wooden beams from decommissioned electricity transmission equipment. The product name "#E010" refers to the code number for the wooden beams in Taipower's warehouse system. It was designed to provide three levels of lighting and touch control to minimize the impact of lights on the overall brightness of a space and instill new value into retired materials.
Taixi Wind Power Plant Bat Nesting Boxes
The Taixi Land-based Wind Power Project is Taipower's first ecological integration project. Taipower has set up four wind turbines in the windbreak forest along the north embankment of reclaimed land in Taixi, Yunlin County. During the background investigation in the environmental impact assessment stage, over 600 bats were discovered in the areas surrounding the wind turbine site. These included Pipistrellus abramus, Scotophilus kuhlii, Miniopterus fuliginosus, and Myotis formosus. Taipower subsequently referenced foreign case studies and set up bat nesting boxes on electric poles along roads in the surrounding area and in the southern windbreaks. This created an ecological corridor for bats and implemented the ecological conservation concept of habitat compensation as bats were gradually guided to nest in the windbreaks and away from wind turbines, thereby reducing the impact of power development on bats. The Taixi Wind Power Plant uses the "Green Pearl of Ecological Conservation on the West Coast" as its blueprint for tracking the progressive migration bats to nesting boxes, deepening local partnerships to shape Taipower's positive image, and preserving bat ecology and stable wind power generation – in short, realizing an effective ecological integration.
Retired cement utility poles are transformed into artificial fish reefs
Taipower utilizes retired cement utility poles to create artificial fish reefs by placing them in suitable marine areas. In coastal waters near power facilities, high-value juvenile fish are released to enhance fishery resources, improve or create marine habitats, and promote fishery development and ecological restoration. Since 1997, a total of 18,517 artificial fish reefs have been deployed in 22 reef and protection areas around the island, providing habitats for coastal fish species, preventing fishery aging, and enhancing productivity in nearshore waters. By creating marine habitats, these artificial reefs indirectly prevent trawlers from intruding into coastal waters.
