From AI-Powered Grid Innovation to Talent Development: KEPCO Accelerates Efforts to Strengthen Future Power Industry Competitiveness

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is accelerating efforts to enhance the future competitiveness of the power industry by driving innovation in power grid operation using artificial intelligence (AI) and nurturing talent in electrical engineering. KEPCO expects to save approximately 110 billion won annually in electricity purchasing costs through AI-powered optimization of power grid operations. At the same time, the company has selected 107 electrical engineering scholarship recipients this year, aiming to foster core talent who will lead the future energy industry.

Dongcheol Kim, President of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). KEPCO

To begin with, KEPCO has improved its power grid demand analysis model and optimized the operation of advanced power equipment (STATCOM) to enhance the efficiency and stability of power grid operations. The previous model was built using 159 data points from regions such as Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Busan. In contrast, the new model was developed by applying AI-based big data analysis methods to 95,000 real data samples gathered nationwide. Through this approach, KEPCO expects to reduce the burden of output adjustment for low-cost generators in the East Coast and Honam regions, leading to annual electricity purchasing cost savings of about 60 billion won.

The operation of STATCOM equipment at the newly completed Shintaebaek and Shinyangyang substations has also been optimized this year. STATCOM is an advanced facility that stabilizes the power grid by raising or lowering voltage when the grid becomes unstable. KEPCO has enabled swift voltage stabilization in the event of grid failures, allowing more low-cost electricity generated on the East Coast to be delivered to demand centers. This is expected to yield an additional annual cost saving of about 50 billion won in electricity purchasing costs.

Dongchul Kim, President of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), stated, "Innovating grid operations using AI is part of our effort to supply the public with more stable and cost-effective electricity," adding, "KEPCO will continue to improve grid operation efficiency to reduce the burden on the public and ensure a stable power supply."

KEPCO is also focusing on securing talent for the power industry alongside technological innovation. This year, 107 students majoring in electrical engineering from 51 universities nationwide were selected as scholarship recipients. Selection is based on a comprehensive evaluation that includes academic performance, family circumstances, and awards, ensuring that children from low-income families can also benefit.

Since 2005, KEPCO has provided scholarships to 1,580 electrical engineering students. Scholarship recipients are granted a one-time exemption from the document screening process when applying for KEPCO's university graduate recruitment within three years of graduation, thereby establishing a talent acquisition system that links the scholarship program with recruitment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.