Penghu County on Tuesday took a major step toward becoming a “low-carbon island” with the inauguration of a smart micro-power grid in Cimei Township (七美) that identifies the optimal mix of solar, wind and diesel-powered energy and generates electricity accordingly.
Part of the second phase of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s and state-run Taiwan Power Co’s (Taipower) National Energy Program, the power grid followed a phase-one photovoltaic system — which can generate up to 155 kilowatt-peak (kWp) of power — providing an additional 200kWp of power and an energy storage system that has 300 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of installed capacity.
The green power generation modules run in tandem with diesel generators in the township, forming an integral power grid.
Photo: CNA
The micro-power grid, based in Cimei Green Energy Park, would serve the goal of maximizing the output of green energy in the township, project director Chen Chao-shun (陳朝順) said, adding that alternating between solar, wind and diesel power enables the facility to overcome the sporadic nature of renewable energy sources.
Taipower expects to complete next year the construction of wind turbines with an installed capacity of 600kWh and expand the capacity of photovoltaics and the energy storage system by 1,200kWp and 2,000kWh respectively, which is expected to increase the yearly amount of renewable energy generated in the township to 3.37 million kilowatt-hours and cut costs from diesel power generation by NT$50 million (US$1.67 million).
Taiwan is to receive the first batch of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 jets from the US late this month, a defense official said yesterday, after a year-long delay due to a logjam in US arms deliveries. Completing the NT$247.2 billion (US$7.69 billion) arms deal for 66 jets would make Taiwan the third nation in the world to receive factory-fresh advanced fighter jets of the same make and model, following Bahrain and Slovakia, the official said on condition of anonymity. F-16 Block 70/72 are newly manufactured F-16 jets built by Lockheed Martin to the standards of the F-16V upgrade package. Republic of China
Taiwan-Japan Travel Passes are available for use on public transit networks in the two countries, Taoyuan Metro Corp said yesterday, adding that discounts of up to 7 percent are available. Taoyuan Metro, the Taipei MRT and Japan’s Keisei Electric Railway teamed up to develop the pass. Taoyuan Metro operates the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport MRT Line, while Keisei Electric Railway offers express services between Tokyo’s Narita Airport, and the Keisei Ueno and Nippori stations in the Japanese capital, as well as between Narita and Haneda airports. The basic package comprises one one-way ticket on the Taoyuan MRT Line and one Skyliner ticket on
Many Japanese couples are coming to Taiwan to obtain donated sperm or eggs for fertility treatment due to conservatism in their home country, Taiwan’s high standards and low costs, doctors said. One in every six couples in Japan is receiving infertility treatment, Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare data show. About 70,000 children are born in Japan every year through in vitro fertilization (IVF), or about one in every 11 children born. Few people accept donated reproductive cells in Japan due to a lack of clear regulations, leaving treatment in a “gray zone,” Taichung Nuwa Fertility Center medical director Wang Huai-ling (王懷麟)
A new tropical storm formed late yesterday near Guam and is to approach closest to Taiwan on Thursday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Tropical Storm Pulasan became the 14th named storm of the year at 9:25pm yesterday, the agency said. As of 8am today, it was near Guam traveling northwest at 21kph, it said. The storm’s structure is relatively loose and conditions for strengthening are limited, WeatherRisk analyst Wu Sheng-yu (吳聖宇) said on Facebook. Its path is likely to be similar to Typhoon Bebinca, which passed north of Taiwan over Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and made landfall in Shanghai this morning, he said. However, it