ROC Premier Sean C. Chen instructed the Ministry of Economic Affairs August 7 to set up a special task force to promote the establishment of a smart grid nationwide.
“In response to the adoption of renewable energies, as well as energy conservation and carbon reduction trends worldwide, countries around the globe have begun to upgrade their electricity supply networks to smart grids,” Chen said.
“The ROC government has listed the establishment of a comprehensive smart grid as part of the national energy conservation and carbon reduction project,” he added.
Chen made the comments after listening to a briefing by the MOEA on its draft smart grid development plan. The economics minister will serve as convener of the task force.
According to Chen, a nationwide smart grid, which would combine electricity generation and distribution to end users, as well as all steps along the way, could more effectively regulate and shift supply during peak load periods, thereby taking pressure off the island’s power plants.
At the same time, by better monitoring and controlling electricity supply, a smart grid can also help save energy and cut carbon emissions, he said.
Furthermore, given Taiwan’s competitive edge in information communications technology, development of a nationwide smart grid will serve as a major growth driver for intelligent industries such as manufacturers of smart grid meter components.
“A smart grid is also a symbol of a nation’s advanced status, so we should take pragmatic steps to promote the development of such a system in Taiwan,” Chen said.
The Executive Yuan said the interagency smart grid task force will include officials from the MOEA, National Science Council, Atomic Energy Council, Council for Economic Planning and Development, the Cabinet’s Board of Science and Technology and state-run Taiwan Power Co.
