Energy-saving potential of the industrial sector of Taiwan

The purpose of this article is to assess the maximal reduction potentials of energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the six most energy-intensive industries in Taiwan-chemical materials, electric machinery, iron and steel, textiles, cement, and paper and pulp. The assessment methodology is based on the so-called Best Available Technologies (BAT) by the Internal Energy Agency (IEA). By taking 2010 as base year, the assessments resulted that the total energy savings in Taiwanʹs industrial sector will be 66.3 TWh, about 5.3% of the national energy use per year. Wherein, the heat saving is 49.7 TWh, the electricity saving is about 16.6 TWh. The maximal GHG emissions reduction of these six industries reaches 16.2 Mt-CO2e, about 6.4% of the national GHG emissions. The energy use and GHG emissions in the industrial sector account for about 53.8% and 48.3% by taking the entire nation as a whole. Meanwhile, the industrial annual production value in Taiwan is up to NT$ 14.7 trillion. Therefore, if the energy use and the GHG emissions were improved as the above assessments, the countryʹs overall economic strength and environmental integrity will be enhanced substantially and significantly.