KIOST Holds the 16th General Assembly of the Marine Energy Technology Committee

The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (Acting Director Lee Hee-seung, KIOST) held the "16th Marine Energy Technology Committee (IEC TC 114) General Assembly" and working group meetings for five days from April 15 to 19 at the Grand Hyatt Jeju.

16th Marine Energy Technology Committee (IEC TC 114) General Assembly.

원본보기 아이콘

The Marine Energy Technology Committee (IEC TC 114) is a technical committee under the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specializing in marine energy. Established in 2007, it publishes international standards for marine energy technologies such as wave power, tidal power, and ocean thermal energy conversion, aiming to facilitate information sharing and technological development among countries.

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a standardization organization founded in 1906 to promote international cooperation in the development of standards and conformity assessments in the electrical and electronic fields.

This general assembly was co-hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s National Institute of Technology and Standards (Director Jin Jong-wook) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Kang Do-hyung), and jointly organized by KIOST and the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (Director Hong Ki-yong). Approximately 70 experts from 13 member countries including South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and China participated.

Notably, at this general assembly, KIOST’s Senior Researcher Ko Dong-hwi from the Marine Spatial Development and Energy Research Division proposed a new international standard titled "Major Accident Hazard Management for the Marine Energy Industry." This is expected to establish requirements and guidelines for effectively managing major accident risks.

Senior Researcher Donghui Ko, who is proposing and presenting a new international standard on "Risk Management of Major Accidents in the Marine Energy Industry."

원본보기 아이콘

Since joining the Marine Energy Technology Committee (IEC TC 114) in 2018, KIOST has applied for three Korean Industrial Standards (KS) related to marine energy terminology, tidal energy output performance evaluation, and tidal energy resource assessment. Furthermore, KIOST plans to apply for three additional standards by 2025 concerning marine energy design, load measurement, and scaled model testing.

Additionally, KIOST has attended this general assembly annually since 2018 as the head of the Korean delegation. In 2020, KIOST’s Senior Researcher Lee Jin-hak from the Marine Spatial Development and Energy Research Division was awarded the "IEC 1906 Award" by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in recognition of his contributions to marine energy technology standardization.

As a leading domestic marine energy research institute, KIOST participated in constructing the world’s largest 254 MW Sihwa Lake tidal power plant in 2011. In 2009, KIOST built Korea’s first tidal power plant, the "Uldolmok Test Tidal Power Plant," located in Uldolmok, Jindo, Jeollanam-do, and was the first in the country to obtain a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) in the marine energy sector.

Moreover, in 2021, KIOST established a "Tidal Power Component Performance Testing Facility" at its Busan headquarters, and this year plans to build a "Tidal Power Open Sea Test Site" in the Uldolmok area.

Lee Hee-seung, Acting Director of KIOST, stated, "Building on the successful hosting of this general assembly, our institute will enhance its status as a leading marine energy research organization in the international community. We will continue to expand international standardization activities and strengthen international cooperation to more effectively implement global standards."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.