Page 2990 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 15 September 2015
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Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion displaying cutting-edge technology such as advanced medical equipment, and CJ-N Technology Co Ltd. I was especially impressed by Taiwan’s research and investment in renewable energy technology. It echoes the ACT government’s commitment to renewable energy and increasing expertise in renewable energy. Indeed, I can see the Canberra Institute of Technology’s planned renewable energy skills centre of excellence providing opportunities for mutual investment and cooperation.
The high levels of investment in renewable energy in both Taiwan and here in the ACT show the achievements that can be made when governments commit to funding renewable energy and technological innovation. Imagine the opportunities that would have been lost if our ACT government had the same backward approach to renewable energy that the federal government promulgates. In Taiwan I saw these opportunities in action when I visited CJ-N Technology, a producer of fibre optics and solar tracking systems for photovoltaic solar power units.
Solar tracking systems allow solar panels to have a much higher efficiency than fixed panels as the solar panel is directly facing the sun for the majority of the day. Tracking systems are non-electronic, allowing solar panels to track the sun using the expansion of gas and hydraulic rams rather than electric motors and sensors, reducing both short and long-term costs and operating across a greater environmental temperature range than electronic trackers. We were able to see a three-kilowatt installation on the rooftop of the company’s office.
Technologies like these are the future of renewable energy and show the possibilities for the future across the world. However, Taiwan’s renewable energy industry has challenges which Canberra’s own technology industry has the opportunity to assist and complement. These challenges are in the maintenance of renewable energy installations as Taiwan, like Australia, is still developing its maintenance expertise. With the new renewable energy skills centre of excellence being developed for CIT, the ACT is well equipped to cooperate in this area.
The centre of excellence will be developed in partnership with the Neoen-owned Hornsdale wind farm and its local partner Megawatt Capital. The centre of excellence will enable live monitoring of the 100-plus wind turbines at the farm, and the students will enjoy working with the large components of the turbines at the centre to ensure they are well prepared for the realities of the job.
I hope this delegation has paved the way for future cooperation in this technology and the growth of both Taiwan and Canberra’s renewable energy expertise, creating further opportunities for trade students and highlighting the importance of the emerging renewable energy industries.
MR WALL (Brindabella), by leave: I begin by also acknowledging the presence in the chamber this morning of the 2015 youth delegation from Taiwan, accompanied by Mr Frank Lee, who graciously accompanied us on our delegation to Taiwan. I also note the presence of a representative from the Taiwan economic office, Dr David Lee. Thank you for joining us here today. I was very privileged to have joined you last night at the National Gallery for the sensational production you held. I even got dragged up on stage at one point. It was a sensational showcasing of the talents and
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