Taoyuan is the largest industrial city in Taiwan. With an industrial output of almost NT$ 3 trillion(US$ 108 billion), the city accounts for around one-seventh of the country’s total power usage. It is apparent that the city has the advantage and need to promote the use of renewable energy for power generation. To advocate the adoption of green energy, Taoyuan City Government set up the Green Energy Promotion Office in 2018 to coordinate the city’s renewable energy efforts toward the four major visions of non-nuclear, low-carbon, coal reduction, and green energy.

After introducing the “High Energy User Clause," Taoyuan City Government was the first in the country to assist energy-heavy industries in 2020. Taoyuan invited scholars and experts to conduct consultation on regulations, assessment of renewable energy, energy storage, energy-saving equipment installation, and feasibility assessment of demand response. Training courses were also offered to large industrial energy users to assist them in achieving their mandatory installed capacity.

So far, Taoyuan has implemented 1,695 rooftop solar farms with a total capacity of 306 MW and an annual power generation capacity of 330 million kWh. Among them, 877 are built on factory rooftops with an annual power generation capacity of 270 million kWh, accounting for 83% of the total rooftop solar power generation and providing electricity to more than 70,000 households. Rooftop solar farms are the city’s primary target in promoting solar power. 

In 2019, Taoyuan City took the lead to subsidize energy-saving equipment procurement to encourage energy use reduction during peak demands, reduce the pressure of renewable energy installation on feeder lines, and help stabilize the grid. As of 2020, 705 kWh of electricity was generated, with the total subsidies amounting to NT$6,876,599(US$ 245,375).

The demonstration site of the smart energy system at Wen Shing Elementary School. (Source: Taoyuan City Government)

To enhance the efficiency of green energy usage, Wen Shing Elementary School in Taoyuan City established the first “Virtual School Power Plant” in Taiwan that utilizes AI adjustment technology for energy management. Using the energy IoT technology, the school can easily manage its electricity consumption and its demand to further optimize its use of energy, setting a milestone for schools participating in Taiwan’s energy transformation. 

Aside from implementing of virtual power plants in schools, we hope that the public sector, business sector, and local communities will also adopt virtual power plants to help develop Taoyuan’s blueprint for a smart green energy city.

The demonstration site of the smart energy system at Wen Shing Elementary School. (Source: Taoyuan City Government)

Taoyuan cannot isolate itself from Taiwan’s energy transformation. Moving ahead, the city will continue to foster a low-carbon lifestyle, develop the use of renewable energy, and turn itself into a green city with low carbon emissions. Taoyuan hopes to meet the target of a power generation mix of 50% natural gas, 30% coal, and 20% renewable energy by 2025.

About the author：

Cheng Wen-tsan is the first mayor of Taoyuan special municipality upgraded in 2014 and has taken his second term since 2018. Many polls have reflected Mayor Cheng’s outstanding municipal achievements and recognition by the public. Cheng was rated a five-star mayor in both the 2017 and 2018 satisfaction surveys conducted by Global Views Monthly, and his satisfaction ratings have long ranked first among Taiwan’s six special municipalities. He also served as Minister of the Government Information Office, Executive Yuan, Spokesperson of Executive Yuan, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Straits Exchange Foundation.

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