TECO and NTU Join Forces for Net-Zero Tech Competition as Student Teams from 16 Countries Gather to Innovate Sustainable Solutions
NCU and NTUST Crowned Champions, Each Winning NT$1 Million
The final round of the 2025 International Net-Zero Technology Competition, co-hosted by the TECO Technology Foundation and National Taiwan University (NTU), was held on August 19, at the NTU Sports Center. Teams from National Central University (NCU) and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) emerged as champions of the International Contest and the Main Contest, respectively, each awarded a grand prize of NT$1 million for their groundbreaking net-zero transition solutions.
The champion team from National Central University presented their project, “Development of an Integrated System for Catalysts and Electrolysis Equipment,” in which they developed a high-entropy catalyst system for efficient, eco-friendly hydrogen production from seawater, addressing energy and electronic waste challenges.
Meanwhile, the grand prize of the Main Contest went to the team from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, whose project, “Turning Light into Water – The Black Carpet that Harnesses Waves for Power,” aims to convert solar energy and ocean kinetic energy into clean water resources and stable electricity, addressing the pressing global challenges of energy and water scarcity.
For the first time, the competition also introduced an online voting system. The Popularity Award was presented to NTU and NTUST, who received enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Since 2008, TECO Technology Foundation has been dedicated to advancing energy conservation and carbon reduction through the ‘’GreenTech International Competition,’’ a key platform for global tech innovation and talent development. In 2023, aligning with the ‘’2050 Net-Zero Emissions’’ policy, TECO partnered with NTU to launch the ‘’International Net-Zero Technology Competition@Taiwan,’’ inviting students and faculty from leading global universities to devise new solutions for net-zero technologies.
This year’s competition was co-organized by the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) and featured a dual-track system with ‘’International Contest’’ and ‘’Taiwan Contest’’ overseen by NTU President Wen-Chang Chen as the chairman. The event attracted 1,150 participants from 16 countries, including the United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and Germany, competing for a total prize pool of NT$6.5 million.
The event also featured a keynote speech by Minister of Environment, Mr. Chi-Ming Peng, on the theme “Climate Governance & Green Collars.” Outstanding young talents are applying their creativity and expertise to present innovative solutions for the global net-zero transition. This competition stands as one of the most representative international platforms for youth in the academic community to address net-zero challenges, while further positioning Taiwan as a solid hub for cultivating net-zero talent and facilitating global technological exchange.
‘’Corporations have a mission to transform creativity and cutting-edge technology into real-world applications that improve human life. We welcome the innovative results of this competition and look forward to collaborating with these outstanding young scientists.’’ said Morris Li, Chairman of TECO Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd. ‘’We sincerely invite talented young scientists from around the world to join our enterprise in building a sustainable net-zero future together.’’
President of National Taiwan University Wen-Chang Chen commented, ‘’ESG and sustainable development are not challenges for a single discipline, they are missions that modern higher education must collectively embrace. This international competition demonstrates concrete action to promote sustainable values and strengthen global connections. It empowers young students to apply creativity and propose innovative net-zero solutions that integrate technology, highlighting Taiwan’s growing influence on international sustainability issues.’’
Lee Chih-Kung, Chairman of TECO Technology Foundation, added, ‘’Upholding our vision of ‘technological innovation toward net-zero,’ we thank NTU for partnering with the foundation to provide a professional, rigorous, and international platform for students in global green energy and sustainable innovation. By nurturing talent, we aim to collectively toward a sustainable future and contribute to the global journey toward to net-zero by 2050.’’
In addition to TECO Electric & Machinery serving as the main sponsor, this year’s competition was supported by leading enterprises including Parjar Charity Foundation, Fubon Financial Holding Co., Ltd., CHEN-YUNG Foundation, LITE-ON Technology Corporation, CPC Corporation, Taiwan, Shiny Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., NTU Industry & Academia Development Association, Hua Nan Bank, Nan Pao Resins Chemical Co., Ltd., NTU Advanced Research Center of Green Materials Science and Technology, and iPASS Corporation. These organizations contributed to the prize pool, underscoring their commitment to advancing the 2050 net-zero vision with concrete actions.