Seogeochado Island in Jindo-gun, South Jeolla Province, has become the world's largest direct current (DC) island, which uses 100 percent direct current both in power generation and distribution networks.
KEPRI, which is a corporate R&D subsidiary of KEPCO, and LSIS announced on Aug. 19 that they have completed a project to establish and operate a low-pressure direct current distribution network in Seogeochado with Jindo-gun.
The project has been carried out since June 2016 with the aim of resolving chronic power shortages in the islands, including Seogeochado Island, through the establishment of a direct current energy ecosystem, and preempting core technologies related to direct current distribution, which is also in its early stages globally.
KEPRI and LSIS have established a renewable energy power source that produces and stores direct current electricity such as 200kW solar power, 100kW wind power generation, and 1.5MWh energy storage system on behalf of existing diesel generators in Seogeochado Island.
KEPRI plans to start commercialization based on direct current distribution technology secured from the islands area. During the second half of this year, it is planning to carry out a project to establish a 1.5MW direct current supply system that supplies direct current power to buildings.
LSIS has secured capabilities in related businesses such as direct current-only smart power equipment and is making full-scale inroads into global direct current markets such as Europe, China and Southeast Asia, which are on a steep rise due to expansion of new and renewable energy industries.
