The government has selected next-generation solar power and power grids, offshore wind power and high-voltage direct current transmission (HVDC), and green hydrogen and small modular reactors (SMRs) as the third projects under the "super-innovation economy."
On the 26th at the Government Complex Sejong, the government announced the "third implementation plan for 15 leading projects of the super-innovation economy" at the "meeting of ministers related to the economy and the growth strategy task force (TF)" presided over by Koo Yun-cheol, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. In the super-innovation economy sector, it presented six projects in the climate and energy field.
In the next-generation solar sector, it presented securing ultra-high-efficiency tandem solar cell technology and early commercialization as the core goals. The government set a goal to commercialize next-generation solar power for the first time in the world within five years. It will support technology development and certification systems in parallel, aiming for a cell efficiency of 35% and a module efficiency of 28%.
The buildout of a Korea-style next-generation power grid will also proceed. The government will prepare infrastructure through management of distributed energy resources using artificial intelligence (AI), demonstration of independent energy systems configured to fit local needs, and phased restructuring of the power market. In South Jeolla, Jeju and Busan, it will establish industry models that utilize distributed resources.
In the offshore wind sector, it will work to boost industrial competitiveness by targeting the development of ultra-large wind turbines of 20 MW class or higher and securing floating technology. It will also foster specialized talent to respond to growing global demand.
The HVDC project, a next-generation transmission technology, will also move into full gear. The government will secure bipolar converter transformer technology capable of converting direct current to alternating current and alternating current to direct current, and will support the construction of an energy expressway along the west coast by 2030 through the training of specialized personnel.
In the green hydrogen sector, it will push a 100 MW-class large-scale production demonstration project. It also plans to develop a large-capacity system that produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water, with the aim of lowering production costs and ensuring stable hydrogen supply.
It will also accelerate development of a Korea-style SMR. Based on the capabilities of the nuclear power plant supply chain, the government aims to obtain standard design approval for the i-SMR (light water) by 2028. It will also pursue development of next-generation SMR (non–light water) technology and establish regional production bases. The difference between light water and non–light water types lies in the coolant.