It has been approximately two years since Korea became a leading nation in the global smart grid industry. Here we take a look at some of its accomplishments.
With the ultimate purpose of increasing energy efficiency, smart grid is one of the most typical convergence sectors currently revolving around the power industry since it combines various fields of technology. However, the history of the industry in Korea is not that long. According to the iation KSGA (Korea Smart Grid Assoc), the se-tor is taking baby steps not just in Korea but worldwide.
Nevertheless, Korea has done ma-ny remarkable things in the industry. It unveiled the National Smart Grid Roadmap back in January 2010 and has carried on with demonstration projects since then. Earlier, in August 2009, the G8 Summit had given it the moniker of bellwether of the global smart grid industry. Mea-nwhile, during the first half of this year, It took a leading role in creating the ISGAN (Int-ernational Smart Grid Action Network), becoming the vice chair of the group and housing the secretariat. Such effort has made Korea the linchpin of the global smart grid sector.
Relevant Law Enacted for the First Time Ever in the World
The list goes on. In May 2011, legislation on the establishment of smart grid networks and their commercial utilization passed the National Assembly, giving the industry a boost. Taking effect on November 25, it is the world’s first single act dedicated to the promotion of smart grid and is thus considered very significant. “Once basic plans are set up down the road in compliance with the act, the national drive for its development will gain more steam,” said Choi Gyu-jong, director of the Smart Grid & Electricity Market Division at the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.
Specific basic plans are going to cover the popularization of smart devices and software, the establishment of information security protocols, relevant standardization and verification schemes, and preparation of real-time rates, etc. “The demonstration projects will present diverse business models and innovative technologies, while the promotion act spurs corporate investment in the field,” continued the director, adding, “That will be a huge momentum for us to grow the industry into an improved framework without uncertainties.”
Why is the Introduction of Smart Grid That Urgent?
The international community is finding it increasingly inevitable that it will have to respond to climate change more aggressively. In the case of Korea, more than 35% and 17% of GHG (Gross Gree-nhouse Gas) emissions are ascribed to power stations and transportation, respectively. According to the Presidential Committee on Green Growth, Korea is aiming to cut emissions by 2020 to 70% of its BAU (Business-As-Usual) estimate. If this target is to be met, the way it generates electricity should must change. Then, how?
The answer lies in the application of new and renewable energy. Nonetheless, it is not that the new way is absolutely free from obstacles. When it comes to solar, wind and tidal power, continuous supply is a daunting task. This is where smart grid comes into play, helping alternative energy to be supplied and used in an unbroken line.
With information and communications’ technologies developing faster than ever, and demand for electronics goods skyrocketing, it is almost certain that power demand will increase. Furthermore, the trend of power usage being concentrated in certain time frames is compromising the efficiency of power generation facilities, resulting in the astronomical costs of new power plant construction. All of these factors result in instability in terms of electricity supply and demand.
“The recent massive power outage in September was mostly attributed to a wrong demand prediction and what we need to have in order to ensure there is no repeat is none other than smart grid networks,” stated the director, adding, “The networks will tell electricity consumers, on an hourly basis, how much they use and how much they have to pay, further rationalizing power consumption across the nation.”
Interoperability Matters for the Sector to Make the Second Step
At present, smart grid is one of the most viable options to raise the reliability of power systems. Still, it is also true that it has to cope with some hurdles. Permanent vice chairman Moon Ho of KSGA (Korea Smart Grid Association) has explained that smart grid can be defined as a system of systems, in which numerous substructures come together to constitute a superstructure, and therefore the critical question becomes how to secure systemic interoperability. It is highly likely that the level of interoperability will depend on the commercialization of technologies being tested in the demonstration projects. “We can say nothing for sure for now as we are still testing before putting such technologies into commercial-scale service,” said the vice chair.
It takes time and investment to test smart grid networks because functions new to existing individual power systems need to be realized. Smart grid, which are huge in size and complicated, requires phased and well-organized technological development and investment from the get go. “It is a system rarely built by a single corporation or a single nation, and that’s why close mutual cooperation is called for,” emphasized the vice chairman.
He also commented that it is software which makes the huge amount of data generated by the networks even more valuable, pointing out the government would be well-advised to prepare some long-term plans to shore up the country’s pool of software engineers.
Another indispensable prerequisite for the success of smart grid is some change in the awareness of the public through ongoing publicity campaigns. “First of all, there should be a consensus that energy efficiency does matter and only then will people give their voluntary trust to the new power technology, proving its utility with concrete test data,” he added.
Korea’s One and Only Smart Grid Show Scheduled for Mid-November
In the meantime, the Korea Smart Grid Week exhibition is scheduled for November 16 to 18 at the COEX Convention Center in Samsung-dong, Seoul. It is a forum of knowledge sharing in which anyone can experience and learn about the still unfamiliar concept of smart grid.
In this vein, the first day of the show is titled Public Day. On that day, Joongang Daily editorialist Jeong Jin-hong, Myongji University professor Kim Jeong-woon and many other speakers will give easy-to-understand lectures about the rendezvous between technology and culture so that even ordinary people can better grasp what smart grid is and what it is capable of. A lot of interesting hands-on events are also scheduled to take place.
During the other two days, dubbed SG Leaders Day, experts from various nations will share data and opinions as to industrial standardization, while seeking ways for further collaboration. Issues to be discussed include the operation of test beds on Jeju Island, and in Australia, Japan and so forth, as well as their accomplishments so far.
“The first occasion of last year was more about the globalization of innovative power technology, but we are intending this year to be an opportunity to create some public consensus about its necessity,” said KSGA.