ITAIPU BINACIONAL: INTEGRATING INNOVATION, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND SUSTAINABLE EXCELLENCE BEYOND ENERGY GENERATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66104/q9esmz05Keywords:
Electric Power Sector, innovation, Itaipu Binacional, Regional development, Technological UpdatingAbstract
Itaipu Binacional is a global leader in clean energy, generating not only immense electrical power since 1973 but also strategic knowledge that fosters regional development. The company spearheads significant innovation, exemplified by its Technological Update Plan (TUP) – the largest investment since its inception – and strategic management of dam safety, reservoir longevity, and cybersecurity. However, these initiatives are often viewed in isolation. This research addresses this gap by systemically analyzing and integrating Itaipu’s primary knowledge assets and sustainable development initiatives. Through a structured review of technical reports, corporate publications, and peer-reviewed literature, this study's primary contribution is the systematization of these disparate assets into a cohesive framework. The analysis reveals that the synergy between long-term capital investment in technological modernization and crucial intangible assets—namely, decades of operational expertise and a proactive sustainability culture—constitutes Itaipu's core innovative advantage. This integrated model proves that sustainable practices are central, not peripheral, to achieving long-term operational excellence and resilience in the energy sector. Consequently, this research provides a replicable blueprint for other large-scale infrastructure projects globally, offering a validated pathway to align massive energy production with overarching sustainable development goals.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rodrigo Luiz Machado de Cardoso, Elder Elisandro Schemberger, Eliane Colla, Elias Lira dos Santos Júnior, Evandro André Konopatzki, Marcos Roberto Bombacini, Rafaela Greici da Motta Camicia, Sandra Regina da Silva Pinela
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