Smart green buildings were chosen by the government as one of the four emerging smart industries in the hopes that the integration of green architecture technology with intelligent systems will improve the living environment, reduce energy consumption and carbon emission by the buildings, and spur industrial development, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said today.
Jiang made the remarks in the Cabinet weekly meeting after listening to the Ministry of the Interior's (MOI) report on promoting smart green buildings, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs' (MOEA) report on applying smart green technology in the ministry's central Taiwan innovation and research park.
The premier further indicated that the MOEA's plans for building high-standard green and smart architecture in its central Taiwan park match well with the region's characteristics and needs, and sets an example for the private sector to adopt smart and green building designs. He urged the MOI and MOEA to strengthen research on new equipment and technologies, and promote the verification mark system for energy-saving products in order to enhance the capability of Taiwan's green ICT industries.
The MOI's plan for promoting smart and green building runs from 2010 to 2015 with an estimated budget of NT$3.24 billion (US$107.85 million). The plan combines green buildings with Taiwan's ICT advantages, and is expected to bring NT$26 billion (US$866.52 million) in investment, NT$749.3 billion (US$24.97 billion) in output value, 3.82 million fewer tons of carbon dioxide emission, and 241,000 job opportunities.
According to the MOEA, its central Taiwan park not only conforms to the characteristics and needs of the local environment, but also boasts the first building project in Taiwan seeking to earn "diamond" ratings—the highest granted by the government—for both green and smart practices. After construction is complete, the building is expected to become a benchmark for diamond-level smart and green architecture in central Taiwan. The establishment of the park, the MOEA officials said, will spur industrial development and help the Executive Yuan promote the emerging smart industries.