Chapter 362 - Renewable Energy in the 21st Century for Taiwan

Abstract

This chapter discusses the renewable energy policy in the 21st century for Taiwan and the status of progress in renewable energy development. The high economic growth rate makes Taiwan face the problem of rapid growth in energy consumption and green-house gas emission. To take the responsibility of the Kyoto Protocol (COP3), Taiwan government has taken a fast step in the planning of the national clean energy development program. Some renewable energy programs were put into the execution phase in the fiscal year 2000. Budget on renewable energy program is increased by 2.5 times. Clear targets have been set to go for in the future. During the past 10 years, the solar thermal research was focused on testing standard for solar hot water heaters, solar ejector cooling system, solar dehumidification, solar absorption system, plastic collector, integral-type solar hot water heater, medium-temperature collector, heat-pipe collector, etc. To increase the utilization of solar energy, Taiwan government has launched another subside program to help people installing solar hot water heater. All this reveals that the Taiwan government has a strong will to take action on the clean energy development.