In the key era of global energy transition, green and low carbon energy development would play a crucial role in leading the third industrial revolution. Energy is the source of momentum which stimulates economic growth, and the green energy development is even the new engine which drives economic development. Consider the shortage of self-produced energy and the dependency on imported and fossil fuel energy as high as 98% in Taiwan, the “Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act” promulgated in 2015 and Paris Agreement reached in UNFCCC COP21, Taiwan is bound to follow the trend of energy transition and seize this opportunity for green growth. However, the energy security is linked to national security, the rational mixes of all forms of energy at various stages must be planned during transition process under the premise of ensuring stability and security for national energy supply. Information openness, public participation, and communication on policy risks must all be strengthened in order to ensure smooth process of energy transition and implementation of fairness and justice. To this end, the core values of Taiwan’s national energy policies would be based on the common governance and balanced development in four major aspects which include “Energy Security”, “Green Economy”, “Environmental Sustainability” and “Social Equity” so as to foster the sustainable energy development
The green economy of Energy Technology Industry is the major pillar of future international economics, and among the 6 major newly emerging industries promoted by Executive Yuan. The scope of the green energy industry includes: renewable energy industry, low-carbon energy, energy conservation and carbon reduction, management of energy conservation and carbon reduction. Here is the brief introduction:
- Low-carbon energy (low-carbon fuel, hydrogen energy and fuel cell production and nuclear power generation)
- Renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, marine power generation and biomass energy)
- Energy conservation and carbon reduction (replacement, refitting and renovation of materials, energy-saving equipment, system integration and energy saving)
- Greenhouse gas reduction (recycling, re-usage and storage of greenhouse gases)
- Management of energy conservation and carbon reduction (greenhouse gas accreditation and verification, carbon-asset management and consultation; inspection and certification of energy conservation, energy service industry)
Generally speaking, any industry offering products or services which conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions can be categorized as a green industry.
In August 2014, Executive Yuan approved “Raising Green Energy Industry Program”, to pool resources and focus on promoting the 4 core industries, including the photovoltaic and LED lighting industry with global market competitiveness, and the wind power and Energy Information and Communication Technology (EICT) industry with potential for industrial development. With the service-oriented mindset of the manufacturing industry, we hope that we will expand into the development strategy of system services from the niche component manufacturing industry to guide the green energy industry towards high-value systems and services restructuring and development.
Besides cultivating the momentum of industry development, we would simultaneously like to reach the goal of expanding the green energy installments domestically, developing diverse energy supply, and exploring energy output overseas. The target figure that we hope to reach for the green output value of energy industry is NT$1 trillion in 2020, which will provide job opportunities for 100,000 people. For the efficiency of electricity generation and economization, the related domestic devices will provide the contribution of generating 6.59 billion Kwh and saving 4.39 Kwh.
The International Institute for Management Development published the record of green energy utilization of every country in 2009. For the green energy technology potential, Taiwan ranked in the top 6 worldwide, and in second place in Asia, just behind Japan. This is because the production of LED and PV related fields are in the leading position globally. The green energy techniques are mature, plus green energy gets combined with the electronics industry. The electronics industry is the strength of Taiwan, and developing green energy in Taiwan could reduce the cost. Thus, many foreign companies would like to have strategic business alliances with Taiwan, not only to exchange techniques, but also to enter a third market, such as Mainland China, from Taiwan. The Taiwanese government and industry will exert all our strength to enhance the momentum of the energy industry, to fulfill the nation’s vision as the exporting country for green technology.
Industry Related Associations:
- Taiwan Association of Energy Service Companies(臺灣能源技術服務業產業發展協會) https://escoinfo.tgpf.org.tw/
- Taiwan Green Productivity Foundation(臺灣綠色生產力基金會) http://www.ecct.org.tw/
- Taiwan Energy Service Association, TESA(中華民國能源技術服務商業同業公會)http://www.esco.org.tw/web/index/index.jsp
- Industrial Technology Research Institute (工研院绿能所) http://www.itri.org.tw