Visiting President Christophe Ferrari of Grenoble-Alpes Métropole

Mayor Cheng: Establishing a friendly exchange relationship and learning about experiences in energy, environmental technology, and smart city

During Day 3 of the “2016 Asia Silicon Valley X Smart Taoyuan - Exchange Tour with the Netherlands, France, and the UK,” the Taoyuan City Government delegate led by Taoyuan City Mayor Cheng Wen-Tsan visited President Christophe Ferrari of Grenoble-Alpes Métropole to sign the “Taiwan-France Agreement for the Implementation of the Asia Silicon Valley Project” on June 24th (local time). Mayor Cheng mentioned that Grenoble-Alpes Métropole has always been regarded as the “Silicon Valley of Europe” and a key high tech center of France. The city is overflowing with the spirit for technology, innovation, and smart applications. Grenoble not only provided France and Europe with technological advancements, its pioneering spirit was also advocated in other cities and countries. Taiwan’s new government will be implementing the “Asia Silicon Valley Project” with Taoyuan as the centerpiece. This required planners to learn about methods for promoting smart cities in other countries. It is hoped that both Taiwan and France could establish a friendly relationship for dialog in order to acquire Grenoble’s experiences in energy, environmental technology, and smart city sectors.

Mayor Cheng pointed out that Taoyuan is a center of manufacturing, high technology, and logistics sector in Taiwan, and has demonstrated particularly high demands for innovation which is required to face the challenges of globalization. This is why the new government has focused upon Taoyuan as the center for promoting the “Asia Silicon Valley Project,” Industry 4.0, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies which would power Taiwan’s next generation of industrial development. The city government decided to visit the French city of Grenoble in order to reference the city’s advanced environmental technologies and experiences in smart city building. These lessons could be applied to introduce more creative elements when Taoyuan pursues its own development.

Mayor Cheng expressed that Taoyuan uses 13.6% of total power generated in Taiwan, most of which was consumed by the industrial sector. Expansion of the Taoyuan Guanyin Datan Power Plant will make it the biggest power plant in the country. Taoyuan must promote a smart grid project to introduce energy saving measures while introducing green energy sources such as solar and wind power. Taiwan is also extremely advanced in the development of electric scooters and vehicles. Grenoble’s hydrogen energy industry was very well developed. Its hydrogen energy storage equipment and hydrogen cars would be things that Taoyuan could learn from. It is believed that both parties could achieve improved dialog and cooperation in these sectors.

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President Christophe Ferrari of Grenoble-Alpes Métropole expressed that Grenoble location at the mountains meant that residents could take advantage of the limitless water resources in the mountains to generate hydroelectricity and power most of the city’s industries. Up to 23% of total power was generated using renewable energy sources. The aim of Grenoble is to become a star city for energy transformation in France. The city’s administrators focused upon developments for smart heating networks and power grids, hydroelectricity, hydrogen energy, and circular economy designed to reduce energy consumption. The city also created energy saving residences in order to reconstruct old, energy inefficient residences into a city that’s comfortable and livable with active economic development. Improved exchange and ties would be established between Taoyuan and Grenoble to create a closer relationship.

Taiwan’s Representative Zhang Ming-Zhong stationed in France expressed that Grenoble is a warm and welcoming city. Representative Zhang has visited the city 3 times in the last 10 months, with each visit convincing him that Grenoble is the ideal city that Taiwan can establish a partnership with. Grenoble’s impressive creativity and technology cement its importance in France, the EU, and even the entire world. Today’s delegate led by Mayor Cheng has made the first step in building stronger friendship and partnership between both cities.

Mayor Cheng gave President Ferrari a gift of Chinese calligraphy with the words Zhihui Zhi Du (capital of smart technology) to commend Grenoble’s achievement as a benchmark of smart technologies. Today’s meeting was also attended by Patrick Lévy, President of Grenoble Alpes University, and Taiwan''s Representative of France, Zhang Ming-Zhong.

At noon-time, the delegates led by Mayor Cheng then attended the “Tenerrdis Competitive Cluster Tendering Dinner.” During the same afternoon, the delegates began a series of talks with smart city as well as energy conservation and green technology companies of Grenoble. Mayor Cheng expressed that the primary purpose of the Tenerrdis Competitive Cluster is to develop new energy industries. Creative technologies as well as collaboration between the industry, government, and academia would empower corporate development and establish the Cluster as a role model for the emerging energy industries. The delegates visited this location in order to observe carbon-free energy technologies as a key reference for Taoyuan’s development of circular economy and renewable energy resources.

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Mayor Cheng said that France has established energy laws while Taiwan promulgated the Renewable Energy Development Act. The purpose of both laws was to establish a legal minimum for the proportion of renewable energies in power production. Mayor Cheng also took a ride in a hydrogen vehicle. “RAC Electric Vehicles Inc.,” a company located in Taoyuan, also happens to be a key supplier for the manufacturing of electric buses. Hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen batteries may also become another potential industry that could be developed in Taoyuan.

General Manager Catherine Candela of the Tenerrdis Competitive Cluster expressed that the government of Grenoble has been active in establishing itself as a Smart City. The neighboring Tenerrdis Competitive Cluster shall therefore serve as a catalyst, using creative technologies to develop new energy sources while working intimately with research institutions, universities, corporations, and neighboring satellite cities, provincial government, and local administration to build a comprehensive partnership platform with industries, public agencies, and academia for supporting developments in the energy sector.

The Tenerrdis Competitive Cluster is home to many new energy industries that include solar power, power saving buildings, hydrogen fuel cells, hydroelectricity, biomass, smart grids, and energy storage technology. The Cluster aims to continuously develop carbon-free energy markets throughout the world and build partnerships between companies, governments, and academic institutions to generate new technology, business opportunities, and employment in the new energy sector. Another purpose of the Cluster is to support the development of new energy companies in the Rhône-Alpes region of France.