KEPCO's Movement on Distribution Sector Regarding Renewable Energy Transition of Distribution Network in Korea

국내 배전망 정책 및 환경변화를 고려한 배전부분 발전방향 연구

The government has proposed a mission to enhance intelligent power networks, decrease coal-fired generation, expand distributed energy resources, and promote energy prosumer into the distribution network in Korea. Installation cost of facility expansion to guaranteed interconnection with small distributed energy resources increases dramatically on KEPCO's distribution sector. And it is hard to withdraw in time. In addition, there are explicit research is required to meet the reliability on grid corresponding to the increase of distributed power. Infrastructure support for accommodating energy prosumer is also needed. Therefore, KEPCO is pushing transition to DSO by expanding distribution management scope and changing its roles. In addition, KEPCO is proactively preparing for integrated operation between distribution network and existing distributed power which is accommodated passively. KEPCO is also trying to accept multiple network users, e.g. building platforms, to manage a data and promote new markets. In the long term, transition to DSO will achieve saving investment costs for accommodating distributed sources and maintaining stable electrical quality. And it will be possible to create new business model using the platform to secure revenue.