The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), marking its 50th anniversary, organized a gathering with experts from the electrical engineering academic community to explore future directions for technological development and strategies for industry-academia-research collaboration. The event focused on discussing power technology innovation tasks and KERI's role in responding to the era of AI and energy transition.

KERI announced on the 10th that it held the 'KERI 50th Anniversary Expert Forum' in conjunction with the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers Summer Conference held at Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do on the 9th.

This forum, attended by over 100 experts from industry, academia, and research institutes, was organized under the theme "50 Years That Illuminated the World, 100 Years That Will Shine Even Brighter" to review KERI's major achievements and discuss the future direction of electric and power technology development.

In the first session, Professor Kang Tae-won of Chungnam National University gave a presentation on the topic of 'KERI's 50 Years of Economic and Industrial Achievements and Contributions'.

Professor Kang analyzed that over the past 50 years, KERI’s development of source technologies and technology commercialization have generated a production inducement effect of over 100 trillion won, a value-added inducement effect of over 25 trillion won, and an employment inducement effect of approximately 150,000 people.

In addition, most technology transfer companies within 3 years They explained that sales and employment showed a tendency to rise together.

Following this, Professor Moon Seung-il of the Korea Institute of Energy and Engineering raised the necessity of expanding renewable energy, building next-generation power grids, and advancing power semiconductor technology against the backdrop of the surge in electricity demand driven by the spread of AI.

He suggested that KERI should play the role of a central hub for national power technology innovation, encompassing technology demonstration and commercialization, leading international standards, and industry-academia-research cooperation.

Professor Lee Byung-joon of Korea University, Kim Dae-han, President of the Korea Electric Power Research Institute, and Lee Chan-joo, Executive Vice President of HD Hyundai Electric, participated as panelists in the comprehensive discussion.

The panelists each emphasized the need to build next-generation power grids, joint technology development and demonstration between public research institutions and industry, and strengthen cooperation centered on testing, certification, and standardization infrastructure, and agreed to strengthen the industry-academia-research cooperation network with KERI as the focal point.

KERI President Kim Nam-kyun stated, “We will use the valuable insights shared at today’s forum as a stepping stone to achieve sustainable development.”

KERI is holding various types of preliminary events every month ahead of the main ceremony for its 50th anniversary in November.