Launch of Korean-Style Next-Generation Power Grid Governance... 'Next-Generation Power Grid Task Force' Holds Kickoff Meeting

The "Korean-Style Next-Generation Power Grid Governance," which brings together the government, public institutions, and private sector experts, has officially launched.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on August 8 that it held the "First Meeting of the Next-Generation Power Grid Task Force" at the main conference room of the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation.

원본보기 아이콘

This meeting was convened to swiftly implement the "Korean-Style Next-Generation Power Grid Development" discussed at the presidential chief aides' meeting held on July 31. The aim is to fully activate a public-private cooperative system, which includes relevant government ministries such as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as related organizations (Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Power Exchange, Korea Energy Agency), industry representatives, and private sector experts.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained, "The next-generation power grid is an intelligent power grid that uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to optimize power supply and demand, and realizes local energy production and consumption through a microgrid supply system located near areas of power demand. This helps stabilize the grid and reduces the burden of building transmission lines. By minimizing local conflicts associated with the location of large-scale facilities, it is well suited to distributed power supply centered on renewable energy. Therefore, applying it to industrial complexes, university campuses, airports, and military bases to improve power usage efficiency and energy security is becoming a global trend."

At this first meeting, participants emphasized that as the spread of AI technology and electrification rapidly increase power demand, the need to construct more power grids is also rising sharply. However, to secure local acceptance, distributed power grids?supply systems located near demand centers?are a practical alternative. In addition, the necessity of enhancing core capabilities was discussed, including rapid technology development, creation of diverse business models, fostering energy startups, and talent development, through cooperation not only among the government and energy public enterprises, but also with local communities and the private sector. The importance of focusing on fostering new industries with global competitiveness through the growth of next-generation power grid-related technologies and the industrial ecosystem was also highlighted.

Lee Ho-hyun, the Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and head of the task force, stated, "We now live in an era where electricity is a condition for survival?what I call 'electronic survival.' To supply electricity more cheaply, cleanly, and stably, a next-generation power grid utilizing AI technology is essential. By building and connecting dense, small-scale power grids at the local level, and by fostering new businesses and startups in the power market such as virtual power plants (VPPs), I hope the government, private sector, and public institutions will join forces to achieve multiple benefits: developing the energy industry, nurturing entrepreneurial talent, and revitalizing local economies."

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