As technology continues to advance, drones have become an important strategic industry for Taiwan. In recent years, Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) has integrated drone technology into its power generation, transmission, and distribution operations to ensure a stable electricity supply. To cultivate professionals with relevant skills, Taipower has partnered with the long-established Taichung Municipal Dajia Industrial Senior High School to organize an industry-academia cooperation program, incorporating drone application courses for the first time. Taipower announced today (29th) that the initiative aims to leverage the school's educational resources to strengthen students' expertise in electromechanical engineering and drone operations, thereby cultivating skilled professionals to support the nation's critical infrastructure.
Taipower and Dajia Industrial Senior High School held a signing ceremony for the industry-academia cooperation today, with Taipower Vice President Tsai Chih-Meng and Dajia Industrial Senior High School Principal Yang Jen-Sheng signing the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. Under the cooperation, the two parties plan to establish the Taipower Critical Infrastructure Workforce Development Program within the school's Department of Electrical Engineering starting in the 2027 academic year. The program will integrate the school's specialized electrical engineering curriculum with the advanced educational resources of its newly established Taichung City Drone Technology Education and Learning Center, aiming to cultivate professionals equipped with both drone application skills and expertise in electromechanical engineering.
Taipower pointed out that integrating drone applications with electromechanical engineering expertise is a key trend in the modernization of power grids and the development of smart grid technologies. In recent years, Taipower has deployed drone technology across its power generation, transmission, and distribution systems to help frontline personnel ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply nationwide. In hazardous environments, such as mountainous areas, elevated locations, or areas with challenging terrain, drones can assist Taipower personnel in inspecting electrical infrastructure and identifying fault locations along power lines, thereby reducing operational risks. When typhoons or heavy rainfall damage power lines and equipment, drones can also transmit real-time images and information from affected areas, helping Taipower personnel formulate emergency repair strategies and accelerate post-disaster power restoration operations.
Taipower has also introduced indoor drones at its power plants to conduct boiler inspections. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics, these drones enable power plants to quickly and accurately identify difficult-to-detect defects and potential risks, such as cracks and corrosion in boiler tubes, particularly in areas that are difficult for personnel to access. This technology facilitates comprehensive inspections, significantly improves the efficiency of emergency repairs and major overhauls, and helps ensure that power generation units remain in optimal operating condition. Taipower emphasized that drone application skills have become essential in the electric power industry, playing an important role in ensuring the reliable operation of electrical equipment and critical infrastructure.
Taipower explained that graduates of the program who wish to participate in its industry-academia cooperation recruitment examination must complete Taipower-designated courses, attain the required grades, and obtain a Basic Competency Certificate in Drone Remote Piloting. To encourage students in the program to excel academically, Taipower will award scholarships of NT$6,000 each semester to the top 10 students based on their academic performance. Before graduation, 10 outstanding students will be selected through a recruitment process. Those who are selected and successfully complete the required training will be eligible to become full-time Taipower employees. This initiative will not only create employment opportunities for young people but also help Taipower continuously strengthen its workforce of skilled power industry professionals with expertise in critical technologies.
Taipower stated that it remains committed to strengthening its talent pipeline through partnerships with various schools. Since 2015, Taipower has successively collaborated with schools such as Shalu Industrial High School, Siaogang Senior High School, and Kangshan Agricultural & Industrial Vocational Senior High School to establish specialized electromechanical engineering programs. Looking ahead, Taipower will continue to deepen industry-academia collaboration by integrating educational resources with practical industry experience to cultivate skilled professionals for the electric power industry. Through the application of smart technologies, these efforts will also help build a strong foundation of technical talent to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply.
Spokesperson: Huang, Chief Administrator
Phone: (02) 2366-6271; 0922-696-383
Contact Person: Director Shen, Department of Human Resources
Phone: (02) 2366-7320; 0920-459-090