Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has developed a wind power generator that can generate power using low-speed wind.

Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has developed a wind power generator that can generate power using low-speed wind.

Currently, conventional small- and medium-sized wind power generators can generate power only when using wind of more than 12 meters per second.

The latest - small- and medium-sized wind power generator, classified as 200kW, can generate power even with wind speed of 10 meters per second by increasing the length of its wings to raise the wind coverage area.

The wind power generator, developed by KEPCO, has adopted a direct driving method without a gear box to enhance efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.

Gear-type wind power generators use a smaller motor, but they have weak points: frequent breakdowns and higher maintenance costs.

The latest wind power generator, developed by KEPCO and produced by DMS, was installed at a site in Yeonggwang County, Jeollanam-do. It was test-operated and verified in July 2020.

At least 2,000 units of the latest wind power generator can be installed in consideration of conditions on the direction of wind and installation placement.

Use of the homegrown wind power generation technology instead of expensive imports is expected to bring about economic benefits worth an estimated 800 billion won.

A KEPCO official said, “The value of the small- and medium-size wind power generation markets in North Americas and Europe is predicted to stand at $28 billion by the end of 2020, and if technology transfer is made to Korean companies, it is expected to greatly contribute to securing Korea’s industry competitiveness.”

KEPCO plans to implement small- and medium-sized wind power generator projects targeting not only Korea and but also Southeast Asia with abundant islands, the official said.

KEPOCO hosts cyber export negotiation sessions to help 20 cooperative companies conduct a one-on-one meeting with their buyers. (Photos: KEPCO)

KEPCO Helps SMEs Explore Overseas Markets 

KEPCO is coming to the aid of SMEs struggling with how to explore overseas markets due to hardships, caused by the protracted coronavirus pandemic.

KEPCO hosted cyber export negotiation sessions for five days from July 13 in which 20 cooperative companies participated in one-on-one meeting with their buyers. They held 126 trade negotiation cases to negotiate a combined $84 million (100 billion won) in trade amounts.

SMEs with insufficient marketing capabilities participated in the trade negotiation session. KEPCO gave support to help SMEs hold one-on-one negotiations with 59 buyers in Vietnam and Thailand in cooperation with Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

KEPCO also plans to expand projects to help SMEs explore overseas markets by opening on-line export goods halls and holding energy technology markets.

Earlier, KEPCO on July 10 held a tripartite working-level officials’ session with representatives from Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) and electric components and equipment SME cooperatives.

They discussed ways of overcoming a crisis and promoting shared growth such as the expanding of joint market entry, assisting of contactless exports and hosting on-line BIXPO 2020.

Hwang Kwang-soo, head of KEPCO’s SME & Venture Support Department, said “KEPCO will come up with plans to do not spare efforts to overcome a crisis, caused by COVID-19, through continued communications with SMEs.”