Application of quantum cryptography communication within the power plant communication network
First in Korea for commercial business


A smart plant based on 5G and quantum cryptography is being established in earnest.

On the 23rd, SK Telecom (SKT) and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) completed the application of Quantum Key Distributor (QKD) equipment to the communication network connecting their headquarters in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and the Samrangjin Pumped Storage Power Plant office in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, and held the "Korea's First Smart Plant Quantum Cryptography Opening Ceremony."

The application of quantum cryptography to the power plant's communication network is the first of its kind in Korea for commercial use and was implemented to enhance the security of power generation facilities that require a high level of security. SKT applied the technology of quantum cryptography company IDQ to its communication network, fundamentally blocking concerns about hacking in that section.

In addition to the application of quantum cryptography communication, the two companies have laid the foundation for building a smart plant by conducting various pilot projects over the past year, including: establishing a private 5G infrastructure to prevent the leakage of mobile work data within power generation facilities; building a private IoT for renewable energy monitoring to transmit field data in real time; implementing a PS-LTE pilot project at Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant Unit 6 to realize a mobile work environment; and applying 'T Live Caster' at the KEPCO headquarters in Gyeongju for real-time video monitoring of field conditions.

Based on this, SKT and KHNP plan to embark on the full-scale implementation of smart plants starting this year. A smart plant is a power plant that utilizes 5G, quantum cryptography, AI, and cloud computing to efficiently produce energy, and enables efficient operations through the convergence of online and offline environments based on robust security.

SKT plans to jointly pursue projects utilizing its proprietary ICT technologies, such as 5G, quantum cryptography, and IoT, including: ▲ applying Private 5G to the Paldang Hydroelectric Power Plant; ▲ expanding PS-LTE and implementing mobile infrastructure at nuclear power plants; ▲ implementing QKD-based transmission technology and a Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) for dual security regarding on-site mobile access; ▲ implementing efficient automated monitoring and application technologies using image analysis technology; and △ establishing a digital predictive diagnostic system through IoT-based real-time data collection.