The Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) has decided to pour 48.5 billion won into implementing short-term tasks for developing parts, materials, and equipment technologies in the energy field. 

The short-term tasks are the second of its kind this year. They will be posted at KETEP’s website for 40 days between May 10 and June 18. The government has so far focused on providing support for building large-scale plants and systems designed to ensure a stable supply and maintenance of energy. The problem is that the Korean energy industry’s dependence on foreign imported parts and materials is too high and creates a low international competitive edge.

Given the stark reality, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and KETEP have established strategies to push for the development of the supply chain of the Korean energy industry to ramp up its competitive edge.

The latest short-term tasks are divided into five categories, including supply-chain development, responding to market demands, and water pump priming. The 15 short-term projects in the supply-chain development category include the development of ultra-light, general-use heat dissipation parts for higher-than 50W LED lights, the development of equipment for producing high-performance, thin-film wafers, and the development of snubbers for nuclear power units. The 24 projects in the category of responding to market demands include the development of the technology to prolong the lifespan of boilers; the technology to reduce pollutants at power plants; transformer accident prevention technology; innovative nuclear fuel and substances; and resources exploration service technology and resources availability technology. The nine short-term projects in the category of water pump priming include the development and commercialization of a smart grid-based photovoltaic PCS (power conditioning system) business model.

KETEP plans to put on public notice the implementation of the mid- and long-term projects, as announced this past March. The development of 12 mid- and long-term new projects will cost 18.9 billion won°™6.4 billion won for the implementation of seven projects in the hydro electric generation segment, 7.5 billion won for the development of three projects related to greenhouse gas treatment, and 5 billion won in the technology convergence sector. 

Established in accordance with the Act on Energy in May 2009, KETEP is a government organization under the umbrella of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. KETEP undertakes planning, evaluation, and managing national energy R&D projects for the objective of contributing to three targets set by the Korean government: a 10 percent market share in the global green energy market, a 12 percent increase in national energy efficiency, and a 15 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to BAU (business-as-usual). 

Energy has become the most important national issues in all areas, including politics, economy, and society. In the near future, advanced energy technology will be the critical factor leading the world. Under the changing circumstances, many countries around the globe do their utmost for the effective development of energy technology based on the transnational Open Innovation strategy. In this global trend, KETEP is committed to carrying forward energy technology development for the purpose of enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in the future.