"Reducing Power Burden Possible Through Distributed Energy Utilization"

2022 Korea Automobile Journalists Association Symposium
Photo by Hyunseok Yoo

[Jeju=Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Advice has been given that active utilization of distributed energy is necessary to reduce the burden on the power grid caused by the expansion of renewable energy use.

The Korea Automobile Journalists Association held a symposium on the afternoon of the 3rd at the Jeju International Convention Center press room under the theme "Electric Vehicle Charging Based on Distributed Energy: Key Trends and Implications."

At the symposium, Kim Hwigang, Director of the New Business Distributed Energy Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ko Yoon-sung, Head of the Low Carbon Policy Division of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and Choi Young-seok, CEO of ChargeIn, gave keynote presentations.

Director Kim Hwigang presented the government's promotion direction for activating distributed energy. Distributed energy refers to energy supplied or produced in the space where energy is used or in the nearby area. The government plans to strengthen the management and acceptance capacity of the power grid and create a friendly market and system to activate distributed energy.

He said, "Effective utilization of distributed energy is essential due to the burden on the power grid caused by the expansion of renewable energy use," adding, "We will induce regional dispersion of power demand and install ESS (Energy Storage Systems) for stable grid operation." He also emphasized, "In preparation for the spread of electric vehicles, we will continuously expand chargers and also expand energy superstations, gas stations capable of self-generation."

Next, Ko Yoon-sung, Head of the Low Carbon Policy Division of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, presented the basic plan for promoting Jeju-type distributed energy. Jeju Island declared the 'Carbon Free Island' vision in 2012, a grand project to make Jeju a carbon-zero city by 2030. Ko explained that Jeju has achieved many results since the declaration of Carbon Free Island. He said, "The renewable energy supply rate, which was 4.90% in 2012, increased to 18.20% in 2020," and added, "Within 7 years of supply, Jeju realized 20,000 electric vehicles for the first time nationwide."

The Jeju-type distributed energy activation promotion strategy is broadly divided into ▲expansion of distributed energy through output control resolution ▲establishment of new industry infrastructure such as markets and systems ▲governance led by residents and local communities. He said, "We are working on easing output control and expanding distributed energy through timely large-scale ESS construction," and "We are focusing our capabilities to complete a global carbon-neutral leading region."

Finally, Choi Young-seok, CEO of ChargeIn, presented global trends and key issues in electric vehicle charging. ChargeIn provides integrated EMS (Energy Management System) service platforms based on distributed energy, including electric vehicle charging and discharging services. He emphasized, "There is a limit to the profitability of electric vehicle charging compared to the cost of building electric vehicle charging power facilities, and as issues regarding the activation of distributed energy are raised, demands for utilizing distributed energy beyond simple electric vehicle charging based on urban and transportation hubs are continuously increasing."

The subsequent panel discussion was chaired by Professor Choi Woong-cheol of the Department of Automotive Engineering at Kookmin University, with participants including Lee Dong-hoon, Head of the Utilization Technology Development Team at Jeju Technopark, and Yoo Young-jun, Advisor to the Korea Automobile Journalists Association.

Professor Choi Woong-cheol said, "The decarbonization strategy of energy sources to overcome global warming is a very important issue," emphasizing, "To achieve the strategy, the introduction of various renewable energies is necessary, and systematic utilization of distributed energy that can harmonize with the existing power grid is the top priority."

Team Leader Lee Dong-hoon stressed, "In the new power market suitable for distributed power sources, fostering new industries using used electric vehicle batteries and activating the market through the application of new service models and establishing systems are essential."

Lee Seung-yong, Chairman of the Korea Automobile Journalists Association, explained, "Various eco-friendly policies are being proposed to achieve the government's 2050 carbon neutrality," adding, "Due to the recent rapid expansion of electric vehicles, consumer inconvenience regarding charging is increasing, so we prepared this symposium to review and discuss issues related to distributed energy and electric vehicle charging based on it."

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