President Kim Jong-gap of Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO).

Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) is implementing the “KEPCO Open MG (microgrid) Project” to develop a futuristic microgrid.

KEPCO Open MG Project refers to an open energy community combining an existing microgrid with digital technologies such as energy solutions and blockchain.

Any existing microgrid, focusing primarily on small-size photovoltaic power, wind power and energy storage systems (EMS), has so far experienced some problems to ensure a stable supply of electricity. KEPCO’s Open MG KEPCO will add new power generation sources such as fuel cell, making only new and renewable energy sources self-sufficient.

Extra electricity will be converted into hydrogen by using a power to gas (P2G) technology, and if necessary, it will be reverted to electricity energy. The futuristic microgrid will go higher energy self-sufficient and efficient compared to the existing one, and the former will be eco-friendly with no greenhouse gas emissions.

In particular, the futuristic microgrid will contribute to establishment of energy infrastructure for the upcoming hydrogen economic society, thus creating new business ecosystems and jobs.

KEPCO Open MD, complying with international standards, is interoperable mutually and more efficient in operation.
Transacting electricity among microgrids will ease bottlenecks of power grid connections, thus greatly contributing to stabilizing the power grids of new and renewable energy sources.

Microgrid businesses have so far used different technology standards, but the futuristic power grids will allow mutual interoperation and the realization of diverse business models among power grid businesses, consumers and relevant companies, thus sharing proceeds coming from the process.

KEPCO plans to form an MW-class energy self-sufficiency microgrid by furthering the implementation of KEPCO Open MG.

Currently, KEPCO subsidiaries, manufactures and microgird technology companies are working on the experimentation and commercialization of the futuristic microgrid, and districts will be selected for experiment this year.

KEPCO President Kim Jong-gap said, “Future trends of the energy industry are decarbonization, decentralization, and digitalization, and this project will contribute to the development of new and renewable energies and accelerating of energy efficiency projects and it will serve as an opportunity for KEPCO to come a step closer to an energy platform supplier leading energy conversion and digital transformation.”

KEPCO Headquarters in Naju. (Photos: KEPCO)