Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute Gwangju Branch Begins Full-Scale Operation This Month

Mayor Lee Yong-seop "Expecting Role in Creating a Hub City for Innovation and Growth in the New Energy Industry"

Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute Smart Grid Headquarters. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 8th that the Gwangju Branch of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (tentatively named KERI Smart Grid Headquarters (Gwangju)) has begun full-scale operations starting this month.

Gwangju City and the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute signed an agreement in 2014 and have been promoting the establishment of the Gwangju Branch in the Daechon-dong Urban High-tech Industrial Complex in Nam-gu.

The project involves a total investment of 74.2 billion KRW, including 19.2 billion KRW in national funds. In the first phase, research, experiment, and testing buildings related to distributed power, power conversion, and digital energy system technologies will be constructed and opened.

In the second phase, future-oriented energy convergence new technology development projects will be sequentially promoted, including the "Redox Flow Battery Certification Center Construction Project" and the "MVDC Distribution Network Pilot Plant and Integrated Operation Center Construction," which is currently undergoing preliminary feasibility studies by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, establishing the branch as a cradle leading national smart grid technology.

With the first phase project, the newly opened Gwangju Branch (KERI Smart Grid Headquarters (Gwangju)) will operate with 1 headquarters, 3 research centers, and 1 office (with a capacity of 55 personnel). The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute plans to transfer the smart grid research personnel and facilities from its main branch in Changwon.

In particular, the first phase will complete the deployment of research equipment, facilities, and personnel within this month, complete the construction of research equipment and facilities by the end of the year, and finish additional personnel placement and new recruitment by February next year.

Additionally, the Gwangju Branch will promote projects such as operating technical education programs and holding technical exchange meetings to support the fostering of new energy industries in the region where the energy industry base is weak, supporting local companies’ on-site technical difficulties through KERI corporate support programs, and providing education and equipment rental for joint use of research institute equipment.

Furthermore, over the next 10 years until 2029, research and development and testing certification projects worth a total of 460 billion KRW will be carried out. Through this, regional R&D capacity enhancement, energy industry base establishment, and workforce development will be realized.

Gwangju City expects that once the Gwangju Branch is fully operational, it will have ripple effects on the local related industries, including commercialization sales of 512.7 billion KRW, attraction of 142 companies, and creation of 688 jobs.

Mayor Lee Yong-seop stated, “The Gwangju Branch will serve as a core institution for research and testing in the power and energy sector in the southwestern region, playing a pivotal role in making Gwangju a mecca city for innovative growth in the new energy industry,” adding, “Related companies will also secure new momentum for profit generation along with pioneering new markets, greatly contributing to job creation and revitalization of the local economy.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.