The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced on April 26 that it would set aside NT$2 billion (US$60.6 million at NT$33:US$1) to carry out research and development for Taiwan`s light emitting diode (LED) industry over the next four years, aiming to boost the industry`s production value to NT$540 billion (US$16.36 billion) in 2016.

Economics Ministry Steve R.L. Chen announced the funding at a conference of domestic industrial leaders and experts, called to discuss development strategies for the domestic LED illumination industry.

Participants in the conference included representatives from MOEA agencies including the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Department of Industrial Technology, Industrial Development Bureau, and Bureau of Energy, as well as from the private-sector Taiwan Lighting Fixture Association, Epistar Corp., Everlight Electronics Co., Lite-On technology Corp., Foxsemicon Integrated Technology Inc., Bright LED Electronics Corp., Coretronic Corp., Unity Opto Technology Co., NeoPac Lighting Corp., China Electric Mfg. Corp., Taiwan Fluorescent Lamp Co., and Alliance Optotek Corp.

The participants urged the MOEA to see that national standards for LED lamps are established as soon as possible so that local manufacturers can make the patent arrangements they need to secure leadership in the international market.

Minister Chen affirmed the government`s confidence in the development of the LED industry as Taiwan`s third "trillion NT dollar industry" after semiconductors and TFT-LCDs (thin film transistor-liquid crystal displays).

Stress-relieving LEDs

"To relieve the stress of skyrocketing energy prices and the rising awareness of the need to minimize greenhouse gases," Chen commented, "development of the new-generation LED luminary industry is the sure way to go."

A survey conducted by the MOEA indicates that a switch to LED from incandescent bulbs would cut the electricity consumed by traffic lights by 85%.

The Bureau of Energy reported the formulation of a four-pronged strategy for LED-industry development:
--Development of high-quality equipment and devices for LED lighting sources, standard modules, and quality-control and inspection;
--Promotion of the LED luminary industry and establishment of international-class standard inspection platforms;
--Promotion of demonstration applications for LED illumination and revision of relevant regulations; and
--Promotion of creative design, provision of assistance to domestic manufacturers for the development of international markets, and boosting of the industry`s international recognition.

Over the next four years the Bureau will provide NT$1.05 billion (US$31.81 million) to help manufacturers develop high-efficiency, high-end LED lighting sources; NT$45 million (US$1.36 million) to develop quality-control and inspection equipment and devices; NT$210 million (US$6.36 million) to develop standard modules for general illumination; NT$60 million (US$1.81 million) to establish indigenous LED standards and inspection platforms; and NT$80 million (US$2.42 million to promote up-, mid-, and downstream integration in the industry.

The Bureau of Energy is promoting the widespread adoption of LED illumination by replacing all of Taiwan`s conventional traffic lights with LEDs, encouraging the replacement of conventional emergency-exit lights with LEDs, and choosing representative buildings for the installation of LED lighting.

LED Street Lamps Coming

Director General C.S. Chen of the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection reported that his agency recently completed the formulation of national standards for LED traffic signs, and that it has added national standards for LED lighting sources in emergency lights. The completion of revised regulations to allow the use of LEDs in street lamps is expected to be announced by the end of the year.

Both the Bureau of Energy and the Department of Industrial Technology promised their full support for domestic manufacturers in the development of LED lighting sources via special technology development projects. For these special projects, the ceiling of NT$30 million (US$909,090) on subsidies for each R&D project will not apply.

The Bureau of Energy has pinpointed LEDs as a critical industry for environmental protection and energy conservation. In addition to replacing all traffic signs with LEDs within the next three years (about 430,000 signs are yet to be replaced), the Bureau also plans to install LEDs in all of the island`s 1.35 million street lamps. Demonstration LED street lamps are expected to be ready for use next year.

Epistar vice president M.C. Chow thinks that the government`s funding of NT$2 billion is too little, saying that his company alone spends NT$400 million (US$12.12 million) every year on the development of LED lighting sources.

Y.M. Chien, special assistant to the general manager of the Forepi Optoelectronics Corp., reported that her company had recently commercialized a one-watt LED emergency light that can shine for more than five hours. This new product, she says, is smaller and more attractive than conventional emergency lights.
(by Ben Shen)