KEPCO to Band Together with Latvian Power Company on Next-Generation Distribution Networks

President Kim Dong-cheol of Korea Electric Power Corp. inspects major facilities of the Shinuijeongbu Substation to expand the power grid and looks into countermeasures against abnormal climate phenomena, such as a spell of severe heat and downpours during the summer season on June 11. (Photos: KEPCO)

On June 17, Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) signed a business agreement on technical cooperation on Grid-K ADMS with Sadales tīkls, Latvia’s largest power distribution company.

KEPCO will promote its entry into the European power market through the deal.

The Grid-K ADMS is a next-generation distribution network management system that monitors and controls distribution systems to maintain the safety of workers and equipment, while optimizing distribution networks connected to power sources.

The ADMS refers to the Advanced Distribution Management System.

The agreement was inked during the 28th CIRED Geneva International Conference in Geneva, Switzerland on June 17.

Key personnel from both companies attended, including Jeong Ji-gyo, vice president of safety & distribution at KEPCO, and Vigants Radzins, vice president of Sadales tīkls in Latvia.

Jeong Chi-gyo (left), vice president of safety & sales distribution at Korea Electric Power Corp., and Vigants Radzins, vice president of Sadales tīkls, Latvia, participate in a ceremony to sign an MOU on cooperation in developing the Grid-K ADMS (Advanced Distribution Management System) on June 17 in Geneva.

Through this agreement, KEPCO and Sadales tīkls will promote a demonstration of KEPCO’s Grid-K ADMS technology, joint research on ways to streamline distribution network operations and strategic collaboration to break into the European power market.

KEPCO plans to promote not only technical cooperation and commercialization but also technical exchanges in the distribution field as a whole, centered on its independently developed distribution network integrated operation platform, Grid-K ADMS.

Latvia plans its energy portfolio to be more than 50 percent renewable by 2030, designating the upgrading and efficient operation of its distribution network as a major priority.

KEPCO’s Grid-K ADMS is drawing attention as an innovative technology that is in line with Latvia’s energy transition.

KEPCO also expects to expand its overseas market presence in Europe and other regions based on this technology.

Promoting Cooperation with Vietnam

KEPCO President Kim Dong-cheol visited Vietnam to discuss ways to promote broad cooperation with the Vietnamese government and state-run companies in the fields of nuclear power generation and new energy businesses from April 11 to 14.

On April 11, KEPCO successfully held the Nuclear Power and Power New Technology Partnership Workshop in Hanoi, Vietnam, attended by about 70 people, including government officials from Korea and Vietnam, KEPCO, Team Korea, and nuclear power-related organizations.

KEPCO and Team Korea introduced their experience and major achievements in the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Project in the UAE.

They made presentations on Vietnam’s key areas of interest, including structures of nuclear power plant projects, financing, financial support systems, human resource development, and technology transfers and mutual discussions on these topics.

On April 14, Kim attended the Korea-Vietnam Industrial Committee, a ministerial-level consultative body between the two countries, met with high-ranking officials from the Vietnamese government and industry, expressed Korea’s willingness to participate in Vietnam’s nuclear power projects, asking for strong cooperation and support.

At this meeting, KEPCO signed an MOU on power grid and new energy business areas with EVNNPT, a Vietnamese power distributor and agreed to strengthen cooperation in all aspects of power grids including high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, AC transmission network construction and operation.

Stable Power Supply to All Polling and Vote Counting Stations

KEPCO entered an emergency work system to ensure a stable power supply to all polling stations and vote counting stations nationwide without power outages ahead of the 21st presidential election on June 3.

KEPCO has established a quadruple power supply system at each vote counting station in preparation for any contingencies that may arise on the election day.

This system is designed to prevent vote counting operations from being interrupted even in the event of a sudden power outage by automatically activating emergency generators and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices in addition to the regular main power supply and temporary backup power supply.

KEPCO also conducted inspections of the UPS facilities for computer equipment such as ballot issuance machines at polling stations and the installation status of emergency lights that automatically turn on in the event of a power outage.