Chemical, Electrical, and Green Institutes Accelerate Transition to Problem-Solving Research

Redefining Research Frameworks Focused on Carbon Neutrality, Power Grids, and Policy Functions

With a focus on carbon-neutral chemical technology, power grid stabilization technology, policy design, and global collaboration, government-funded research institutes under the Ministry of Science and ICT are redefining their research directions and accelerating the transition toward problem-solving research.

At the “2nd Press Study with the Ministry of Science and ICT Innovation Policy Division and Government-Funded Research Institutes,” held on March 25 in Gangnam, Seoul, the major institutes shared their research achievements and future strategies.

Youngmin Choi, Vice President of the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), is explaining the institute's major research achievements. Photo by Kim Joungho

The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) is restructuring its research framework around carbon neutrality and next-generation energy fields. In particular, the institute has identified CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization) technology, which converts carbon dioxide into chemical feedstock, and research into next-generation secondary batteries as core areas.

Youngmin Choi, Vice President of KRICT, stated, “It is difficult to solve carbon neutrality and energy issues with a single technology,” adding, “We are transitioning to a convergence-based research system where multiple research organizations work together.”

He also emphasized that, based on achievements in environmental and energy fields such as perovskite solar cells, biodegradable plastics, and waste resource recycling technology, the institute is accelerating the commercialization of its technologies.

The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) is strengthening its research focusing on power grid operation and electrical applications. The institute highlighted the localization and advancement of Energy Management Systems (EMS), which are vital to the national power grid, as well as the development of power semiconductors and electric mobility technologies, as major achievements.

Kim Seokjoo, Vice President of KERI, explained, “These days, transmission and operation are more important than production in the power sector,” and added, “We are focusing on the development of next-generation technologies such as AI-based power grid management and distributed power systems.”

The National Institute of Green Technology (NIGT) is focusing more on policy research functions than on technology development.

Park Cheolho, Director of Policy Research at NIGT, said, “We are a technology policy research institute supporting national R&D strategy establishment and global cooperation policies,” adding, “We are strengthening our policy support functions through a data-based platform.”

He also noted that the institute plays a role in connecting policy and technology by establishing a global carbon neutrality strategy map and planning international cooperation projects.

An official from the Ministry of Science and ICT commented, “It is important for government-funded research institutes to inform the public about their missions and roles by institution,” and added, “We will continue to provide more opportunities to explain technologies in ways that are tangible to the public.”

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