ITRI TODAY Summer issue 2020

How to Co-Invent with Taiwan to Achieve the 2050 Target Dr. Alex Y.M. Peng
Executive Vice President

Achieving net zero emissions by 2050 is a global challenge. A study by Standard Chartered revealed that 55% of business leaders believe that their companies are not transitioning fast enough to reach net zero by 2050. It will truly take a concentrated effort from different sectors to co-invent with Taiwan in fulfilling this goal. So how can we take part to make the transition faster? Here’s something ITRI can do and what it’s been doing.

Identifying Possible Pathways

2050 is still 30 years from now, and there will be many changes and variables for technological R&D and industrial development during this period of time. To respond against such uncertainty, ITRI will adopt scientific approaches and tools to explore possible pathways that Taiwan can take to achieve 2050 net zero emissions.

Developing Low-Carbon or Carbon-Free Energy

The energy sector contributes to more than 90% of Taiwan’s GHG emissions. Therefore, low-carbon or CO2-free power generation will play a crucial part in Taiwan’s endeavor to achieve the 2050 target. ITRI will conduct scenario evaluations to determine the required energy supply and demand for achieving 2050 net zero emissions to assist the government in adopting low-carbon or carbon-free approaches, significantly increase energy efficiency, promote the use of renewable energy, and establish the Loading Order.

Working for Circular Economy

ITRI will continue to enhance its R&D capability and co-invent even more closely with industrial partners to accelerate the development of circular economy. It hopes that these efforts can replace existing production and consumption patterns, create innovative business models, and lead industries to transition to a green economy.

ITRI’s Commitment

ITRI itself has also applied innovative technologies to its campus by focusing on four areas to show its determination toward net zero emissions by 2050.

First, it is working on zero-carbon power generation. It aims to deploy next-generation renewable energy and introduce a virtual power plant system to integrate all power sources for optimal regulation, providing a reliable overall power supply for ITRI’s campus.

Second, for low-carbon/zero-emission manufacturing, ITRI will reduce CO2 emissions from the lab manufacturing processes and reuse gases and materials. It will also enable low-carbon exhaust gas and wastewater treatments.

Third, changing consumer and user behaviors: ITRI will cut down building energy consumption and use electric cars and boilers to eliminate the use of fossil fuels. It will also promote a resource sharing platform to increase energy efficiency.

Lastly, CO2 capture and reuse. By introducing advanced negative emission technologies, CO2 in the air can be captured and converted into green hydrocarbons, helping ITRI achieve its 2050 commitment.

In addition to the applications on campus, ITRI has also been combining its multidisciplinary R&D prowess with the needs of industry partners to develop innovative tech solutions to achieve carbon reduction. (See the following article to learn more details.) Hopefully, these technological innovations can fuel the industries in becoming sustainable suppliers and transforming towards a net zero economy in order to protect the planet and stay ahead of the global market.