KIER to Host 'AI for Energy' Workshop at Daejeon Headquarters

Global energy technology experts are gathering in Daejeon to explore innovations in AI-based energy technologies and to expand international cooperation in joint research.

The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) announced on April 20 that it will host the '2026 AI for Energy' workshop jointly with RD20 (Research and Development 20 for Clean Energy Technologies) at its Daejeon headquarters from April 20 to 21.

Lee Changgeun, Director of the Korea Institute of Energy Research, is delivering a congratulatory speech. Korea Institute of Energy Technology

RD20 is an international collaboration platform for clean energy R&D launched at the G20 Energy Ministerial Meeting in 2019. Currently, 20 countries including the United States, Canada, and Japan are participating.

KIER has been participating as Korea’s representative institution since RD20 was established. Hosting the workshop in Korea was made possible after KIER served as a co-chair for the AI for Energy session at the 7th RD20 General Assembly held in Japan last year.

The '2026 AI for Energy' workshop brings together experts from major research institutions in six countries—including the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the National Research Council Canada (NRC), and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)—as well as more than 140 specialists from domestic research organizations such as the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP).

The main topics for discussion are innovations in AI-based energy technologies to address the increasing electricity demand driven by AI proliferation, and expanding international joint research cooperation.

'2026 AI for Energy' workshop key attendees are taking a commemorative photo. Korea Institute of Energy Research Photo by Korea Institute of Energy Research

During the workshop, experts will discuss stable power supply strategies through AI convergence technologies applied across the energy industry, including the intelligent transformation of power grids and energy systems, automation of research using AI, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection. They will also discuss measures for international joint research cooperation by topic area.

Lee Ho-hyun, Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, stated, "With the rapid increase in electricity demand driven by the expansion of AI infrastructure, ensuring stable power supply and transitioning to AI-based energy systems are becoming more important. The government plans to actively support innovation in AI-based energy systems and international cooperation."

Changkeun Lee, President of KIER, said, "AI is a core technology that can simultaneously enhance both the efficiency and stability of energy systems. We will use this workshop as an opportunity to expand collaboration among global research institutes and to concretize the outcomes of joint research in the field of AI-based energy technologies."

Meanwhile, KIER plans to use the workshop to strengthen the cooperation network among RD20 member organizations and to continuously expand international collaboration aimed at achieving carbon neutrality and securing competitiveness in the next-generation energy industry.

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