By AIT Public Affairs
AIT spotlights sustainable energy transition and regional collaboration in exclusive Taiwan–Thailand panel event
Bangkok, Thailand | 15 July 2025 — The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) School of Management, in strategic collaboration with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) of Taiwan and the Taiwanese Association of Thailand, successfully hosted the high-level seminar “Green Electricity: Powering Southeast Asia’s Next Industrial Leap.” This exclusive event brought together regional thought leaders, green energy pioneers, and executives from leading Taiwanese and Thai industries to address the challenges and opportunities of sustainable power and smart technology in Asia’s rapidly transforming industrial landscape.
Held at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, the event featured distinguished keynote speakers, a powerful panel discussion on corporate green strategy, and an industry networking dinner, positioning AIT as a pivotal hub for energy and technology dialogue in Southeast Asia.
Welcoming participants, Prof. Yuosre Badir, Dean of the AIT School of Management, remarked, “Green electricity touches every individual, community, and nation. If managed responsibly, it can be one of the most powerful tools in our fight against climate change.” He emphasized AIT’s long-standing integration of sustainability principles across all programs, campuses, and executive education initiatives.’
AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li reflected on his personal connection with ITRI and emphasized the Institute’s strong commitment to sustainable development and innovation. “This event can be a launchpad for deeper collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers. It’s a milestone in the growing partnership between AIT and ITRI,” he said.
Dr. Edwin Liu, President of ITRI, praised AIT for its academic leadership and highlighted the significance of ITRI’s mission to serve as a bridge between academia and market-oriented industries. “We believe in research that serves real-world needs. Our collaboration with AIT has the potential to catalyze impactful change in the region,” he said.
Keynote Highlights: From Blue Energy to Smart Grids
In a compelling keynote titled “Blue Energy for Powering Southeast Asia,” Prof. Weerakorn Ongsakul, AIT Professor of Sustainable Energy Transition, called attention to Southeast Asia’s massive untapped potential in ocean-based renewable energy. “The region’s energy demand is rising sharply. We must not lock ourselves into outdated fossil infrastructure—blue energy, such as wave and tidal power, offers a resilient and localized solution,” he asserted.
He emphasized the role of emerging technologies such as solid-state batteries, green hydrogen, and AI-driven smart microgrids as catalysts for decarbonizing industrial growth. “This is a moment of technological convergence. AIT is ideally positioned to lead capacity building and research that bridges academic expertise with industrial innovation,” he added.
In the second keynote, delivered on behalf of Dr. Chih-Wen Liu, Senior Researcher Mr. Po-Li Chen of ITRI’s Green Energy and Environment Research Laboratories presented cutting-edge innovations in hybrid transformers and grid-forming inverters. He demonstrated how ITRI’s advanced technologies, such as its Hybrid Distribution Transformer (HDT) system and developing grid forming inverter (GFM) system, can enable stable, intelligent, and efficient energy delivery in next-generation microgrids. “Power resilience is not just about supply, it’s about intelligent systems that adapt dynamically,” he said.
Panel Discussion: Corporate Green Strategy
The seminar’s featured panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Tobias Endress of AIT, brought together executives from Delta Electronics, Acer Computers, Leonics Co., Ltd., and RMA Energy alongside AIT’s Prof. Weerakorn and ITRI’s Mr. Chen. The dialogue focused on aligning corporate green strategies with ESG frameworks, government regulation, and practical energy innovation.
Mr. KK Chong, Head of Sustainability at Delta Electronics Thailand, emphasized the importance of strong internal governance and realistic ESG implementation: “Sustainability is not just about doing good. It must be aligned with business survival and long-term value creation. At Delta, internal carbon pricing drives investment into our green transitions.”
Mr. Jeff Lee, Managing Director of Acer Thailand, outlined Acer’s RE100 commitment and green product design, including the use of ocean-bound plastics in their product lines. “We believe sustainability is not only a corporate responsibility, it’s part of our brand identity,” he stated.
Dr. Wuthipong Suponthana, Managing Director of Leonics Co., Ltd., showcased decentralized microgrid projects powering remote communities across Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. “We’re behind the scenes, building systems where big utilities don’t reach—solar, battery, and future wave energy systems that deliver 24-hour electricity off-grid,” he explained.
Panelists highlighted both opportunities and barriers, including policy fragmentation, infrastructure gaps, and the need for public-private partnerships to accelerate adoption of renewable energy technologies across industrial and underserved sectors.
The event was emceed by Mr. Sam Hanna, adjunct faculty in executive education at AIT’s School of Management, who brought energy, structure, and thoughtful engagement throughout the program.
Key Takeaways & Future Outlook
- Green transition is no longer optional: ESG strategy and clean energy adoption are now essential for long-term competitiveness and global trade viability.
- Public-private partnerships are critical: Clear policy, simplified regulation, and collaboration between industry and academia will unlock greater impact.
- Technological innovation is accelerating: From wave energy to smart inverters and predictive AI for grid resilience, solutions are emerging that can meet the energy needs of the next industrial era.
In closing remarks, AIT and ITRI reaffirmed their joint commitment to fostering knowledge exchange and innovation in the green energy sector. The event concluded with a networking dinner, allowing participants to explore potential collaborations and partnerships in an informal setting.
