Domestic researchers are taking a step closer to realizing carbon neutrality by establishing an international standard for microgrid technology developed through ICT convergence, thereby creating a stable and efficient energy utilization system.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on the 15th that two international standards for Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and Demand Response (DR) technologies, which are key elements of microgrid systems, were approved by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Technical Committee.

This is the first time that an IEC international standard for energy storage technology has been developed and approved under Korea's leadership.

A microgrid is a small-scale smart grid that is a small-scale power system independent from a large-scale power system. Equipped with power consumers, energy sources, energy storage devices, and energy management systems, it enables self-operation and allows for connection with large-scale power systems, making it increasingly important for realizing carbon neutrality.

This international standard consists of two items: the definition of requirements and use cases for utilizing energy storage devices for power demand management and emergency power, and the definition of a demand response (DR)-based energy management system for industrial facilities such as factories.

Among the key components of a microgrid, energy storage devices store generated energy and discharge it during periods when power generation is not occurring or usage is high, thereby maintaining a constant power generation rate.

The research team stated that to promote the adoption of energy storage devices, they analyzed the structure of currently used diesel generator-based emergency power systems, developed requirements and guidelines for application to energy storage-based systems, and had them approved as international standards.

It is expected to prevent the waste of excess energy produced and enable stable and efficient energy utilization, thereby anticipating a carbon reduction effect compared to existing methods.

Factories with high power consumption require specialized industrial energy management systems, and to implement them, standardization of interfaces between smart grids and manufacturers is necessary.

The research team announced that they have developed a standard for energy management systems for industrial facilities linked to microgrids by predicting demand response using data such as power consumption patterns and regional power supply plans. Manufacturers are expected to be able to efficiently manage electricity rates and power demand.

"Kang Shin-gak, Head of the Standards Research Division at ETRI, said, 'The development of carbon-neutral technologies is actively underway worldwide to respond to climate change.'" "We consider it a very meaningful achievement that international standards for microgrid technology, which are essential for realizing carbon neutrality, have been developed and approved under the leadership of domestic researchers. We will strive to contribute to the intelligence and efficiency of the power market by integrating this with smart grids in the future," he stated.