The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI, President Kim Nam-kyun) and Korea Western Power (President Park Hyung-deok) have joined hands to cooperate on digital technology in the power sector and foster a related industrial ecosystem.

The Korea Electric Research Institute signed an MOU with Western Power at the KERI headquarters on the 24th.

Under this agreement, the two organizations will cooperate on the development of renewable energy digital twin technology, joint research in digital transformation and electric and ICT technologies, training of digital professionals and fostering small and medium-sized enterprises, and promoting the commercialization of digital technologies in the power sector and the activation of mutual exchange.

In particular, 'digital twins,' which replicate reality exactly in a virtual world, are attracting attention for their potential to significantly contribute to efficient power generation and operation. Specifically, they are regarded as a future technology that complements the instability of renewable energy and enables optimal power generation.

KERI plans to utilize power generation data collected from Korea Western Power's Pangyo Digital Sharing Center for renewable energy generation simulations. Taking solar power as an example, it collects data on power generation that varies depending on equipment type, solar irradiance, and surrounding environments, and uses AI and other technologies to create a virtual power generation simulation environment.

Once such a digital twin is well-established, it can be integrated with the actual power system to perform not only power generation forecasting and diagnosis but also new business evaluations. Various effects are expected, including contributing to a stable power supply by enhancing the utilization of renewable energy, responding to the climate crisis, and creating new industries through the digitalization of the power sector.

"In the future era of electrification where electricity demand is surging, it is crucial to produce and manage electricity smartly and wisely under limited resources and constraints," said KERI President Kim Nam-kyun. "Through this agreement, we will strive to develop the best digital twin technology capable of optimizing renewable energy resource operations and contribute to establishing national energy security and realizing carbon neutrality."

Meanwhile, KERI is a government-funded research institute under the National Science and Technology Research Council of the Ministry of Science and ICT.