Sankey-Diagram-Based Insights Into Taiwan’s Energy Flow: Status Quo and Net-Zero Future

Abstract

To fight against climate change, Taiwan has recently published "Taiwan's Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050", which provided practical action plans for achieving the long-term reduction targets. Great impacts are anticipated during the transition toward a net-zero future. Understanding energy flows from resources to end users is essential for reducing the carbon footprint. Therefore, this study traces the energy flows throughout Taiwan's economy in 2020 using Sankey diagrams, mainly based on the Energy Balance Sheet. Three main energy stages are identified and well examined: primary energy supply, energy transformation, and energy consumption. Moreover, this study explores the potential energy flow impacts of the 2050 net-zero policy, focusing on the impacts of decarbonizing electricity generation and electrifying on-road vehicles. From now to 2050, the power sector will gradually shift to renewable-dominated systems, and the electricity consumption in the road transport sector will increase to nearly 18%. The Sankey diagrams of energy flow established in this paper serve as a valuable tool in sustainable development and energy management, contributing academic and practical insights to the ongoing net-zero transition.

@article{lo2022sankey,
  title={Sankey-Diagram-Based Insights Into Taiwan’s Energy Flow: Status Quo and Net-Zero Future},
  author={Lo, Kai-Yun and Chien, Ting-Ling and Tsai, Hsin-Yun and Hsieh, I-Yun Lisa},
  journal={Journal of Taiwan Energy},
  volume={9},
  number={4},
  pages={399-418},
  year={2022},
  month=dec
}