Taipei: The 12th Smart City Summit and Expo (SCSE) is set to begin at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2, from March 18-21, focusing on the theme "Digital and Green Transformation." As the largest smart city exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region, the event will highlight developments in artificial intelligence (AI) applications, smart governance, energy efficiency, virtual power plants, and net-zero sustainability.
According to Philippines News Agency, the SCSE is organized by the National Development Council, Kaohsiung City Government, and Taipei Computer Association (TCA), with the Taipei City Government returning as a co-organizer. The expo will take place in two venues: the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center from March 18-21 and the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center from March 20-22.
Alex C.C. Chien, chair of the Taiwan Smart City Solutions Alliance, noted that AI applications are reshaping industries globally. Innovations in edge AI and generative AI are driving advancements in smart transportation, healthcare, building, and energy management. Leading companies like Acer Group, ASUS, and Chunghwa Telecom, among others, will showcase their latest AI-powered solutions to accelerate Taiwan's digital transformation.
The expo will feature the 12th Smart City Innovative Application Awards, recognizing outstanding projects that highlight Taiwan's progress in smart city development through collaborations among public, private, and academic sectors.
This year, the event has seen a record number of international visitors, with participants from 59 countries and regions, 138 cities, and 2,806 overseas visitors-a 28-percent increase from the previous year. Among the attendees, 569 mayors or representatives will be present, alongside industry delegations seeking collaboration opportunities with Taiwan's smart solutions.
A delegation of more than 10 Ukrainian city leaders will attend the exhibition, with special events like the "Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Business Opportunities Forum" and international matchmaking sessions exploring contributions to Ukraine's reconstruction through smart technologies.
The "Smart City Global Co-Creation Pavilion" will promote collaboration between Taiwanese enterprises and international partners, integrating smart city solutions for global markets. Chunghwa Telecom has invited overseas telecom partners to jointly showcase all-optical networks and smart city applications.
Cynthia Chen, secretary-general of the Taiwan Smart City Solutions Alliance (TSSA), highlighted Taiwan's transition to a nuclear-free future with the decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plant No. 3. This shift increases reliance on renewable energy and poses grid stability challenges, making Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) crucial.
The VPP Pavilion will feature key TSSA members and host the "Taiwan Virtual Power Plant Development Trends and Business Opportunities Forum" to discuss strategies for expanding VPP deployment. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications will present a "Low-Carbon Mobility Pavilion" showcasing smart transportation advances.
The Taiwan EV Power Supplement Alliance will introduce smart charging station standards, while companies like Foxconn will display electric buses integrated with virtual power grids. The "Smart Startups Program" will feature 115 startups showcasing smart technology and green sustainability innovations.
To support Taiwan's net-zero emissions goal, the "Urban Energy Transition Award" will evaluate energy efficiency and renewable energy usage. Winners include Pingtung County and Kaohsiung City for energy transition, and Kinmen County and Taipei City for circular resource promotion.
Chen emphasized Taiwan's progress in smart city development, noting the role of AI technology applications, international collaboration, energy conservation, and VPP development in urban digital and net-zero transformations. The exhibition serves as a platform for international cooperation and knowledge exchange.
