Dongshin University to Establish Korea's First 'e-Smart Mobility' Campus

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] Dongshin University announced on the 15th that it will establish a ‘Used Battery Smart Energy Campus’ by May.

This project is based on a local innovation project through cooperation between local governments and universities, in collaboration with Makerspace (Energy Makers Farm), aiming to build the first e-smart mobility campus in a Korean university based on the recycling of used batteries from electric vehicles (EVs).

Additionally, through collaboration with Jeonnam Province, Naju City, public institutions in Gwangju and Jeonnam Innovation Cities, and local companies, Dongshin University and Naju will be developed into the only experiential city in Korea where the future of energy can be encountered, leading to job creation and regional economic development.

The residual capacity of batteries used in electric vehicles is on average 70-80%, which means they can no longer be used as EV batteries but have characteristics that allow reuse in energy storage systems (ESS), electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric kickboards.

Dongshin University will use the state-of-the-art facilities and equipment of the Makerspace within the energy cluster to develop used EV batteries collected by local governments into secondary battery recycling products that can be used in e-mobility devices.

Along with this, Dongshin University plans to create and operate a reused battery charging center using solar power facilities on the Smart Energy Campus.

Equipped with an automated system for collection, charging, and management of secondary batteries, Dongshin University’s secondary battery recycling Smart Energy Campus will serve as a venue for experience and education related to secondary batteries and smart mobility.

Visitors to Dongshin University will be able to ride autonomous electric wheel Segways (two-wheeled devices ridden standing), electric kickboards equipped with reused batteries currently being developed by professors of the College of Energy Convergence, experience the secondary battery recycling line while touring the campus, and engage in energy new industry convergence making experiences using IoE (Internet of Energy), 3D printers, big data, and blockchain.

Once the energy experience city is realized, after experiencing Dongshin University’s Smart Energy Campus, visitors can explore the exhibition and experience halls owned by 16 public institutions in innovation cities and the Jeonnam Realistic Media Industry Support Center by riding smart mobility such as electric kickboards.

At Dongshin University Makerspace, visitors can experience app development using secondary batteries, 3D printing, IoE, blockchain, and big data. After tours of Naju Moksa’s residence, the old downtown, and the National Museum, an energy experience-linked tourism platform will be created where visitors can stay overnight at Dongshin University dormitories or local hotels.

Through this, it is expected to achieve the three goals of regional tourism industry development, economic revitalization, and job creation.

Dongshin University is also promoting the establishment of an energy welfare prosumer platform that develops solar panels over 10 years old, owned by energy public institutions, into products linked with secondary battery recycling and provides them free of charge to vulnerable and welfare groups.

Through this system, generation, charging, collection, and management information will be monitored in real time, and blockchain-based energy coins will be provided along with charging, collection, and management services, eliminating welfare blind spots for vulnerable groups.

Based on big data generated by artificial intelligence (AI), linking with secondary battery recycling startups is also expected to greatly help job creation in related industrial fields.

President Choi Il said, “When the electric vehicle used battery recycling center is established in the Gwangju-Jeonnam Innovation City in 2024, numerous related companies will be attracted to the region,” adding, “Through the smart e-mobility campus construction project, we will create a virtuous cycle structure that enhances the practical skills of enrolled students in secondary batteries, renewable energy, ICT convergence, and tourism fields, enabling them to find employment at good companies.”

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