The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 25th that it has officially begun the operation of an integrated control system that will link real-time information on the transmission and distribution power grid with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the Korea Power Exchange, and others starting in June.
The ministry held the 'Power System Innovation Forum' at the Chosun Palace in Gangnam, Seoul, on the same day. During the event, participants reviewed the achievements so far in real-time integrated control of the power grid and discussed additional improvements needed. They also held discussions with related agencies and power system experts to share policy directions for building an intelligent power grid using AI and enhancing the acceptability of renewable energy.
According to the ministry, the capacity of renewable energy facilities has increased more than fourfold over the past 10 years. As of this year, the capacity of renewable energy facilities stands at 36.4 GW, accounting for 23.5% of all commercial power generators.
Renewable energy is a resource that enables the power grid operator to determine and adjust the generation amount based on real-time conditions, rather than having the generation amount set through the power market. Currently, the Korea Power Exchange manages information on transmission network resources (154 kV or more), while the Korea Exchange manages information on transmission and distribution network resources (less than 154 kV).
Industry players have raised the need for integrating the dispersed information from the Korea Power Exchange and Korea Electric Power Corporation to enable real-time information sharing. Particularly, the importance of rapid and precise real-time output control is emphasized during the spring and autumn seasons, indicating the need for a system that integrates power grid information in real time.
With this system overhaul, the exchange will be able to manage the power purchase agreement (PPA) generation amounts, previously managed by KEPCO, based on actual measurements. Using the renewable energy information sharing system, it is expected to enhance the speed and efficiency of responses in power system operations by linking output control information between institutions. The power authorities plan to complete a two-phase integrated control system by the end of this year, expanding the level and speed of information integration.
Meanwhile, the power authorities are also promoting a revision of the grid code to ensure that renewable energy generation facilities can be stably connected to the power system, as it is a necessary foundation for the transition to an intelligent power grid. When integrated with AI technology, the grid code is expected to facilitate innovative real-time control structures and precise evaluation of the power grid's status, contributing to the ongoing expansion of renewable energy and stable operation of the power system.
Choi Nam-ho, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, emphasized, 'The advancement of the integrated control system is essential for the ongoing expansion of renewable energy and the stable operation of the power system,' and stated, 'We will make every effort to ensure that renewable energy is successfully integrated and stably operated within our power grid by building an AI-based intelligent power grid.'