This photo, provided by Korea Forest Service on Aug. 7, 2020, shows solar panel facilities set up at a mountain.
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Korea Bizwire) — SK Telecom, South Korea’s No. 1 wireless carrier, said Wednesday it had signed an agreement with SK Energy Co., the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), 60 Hertz and Soft Berry to develop virtual power plant (VPP) technology.
A virtual power plant refers to a network of decentralized power generators that operates like a single power plant by connecting renewable energy generated by individual persons or businesses, whether it be solar or wind power.
The company emphasized that AI-based optimization is possible through a power demand forecast for renewable energy, which that has no stable output, and the management of the produced electricity through energy storage systems (ESS).
Gas station operator SK Energy is turning its existing gas stations into Energy Super Stations that produce and sell eco-friendly energy. The company will offer its technology and sites for the project.
60 Hertz, a startup specializing in the operation of virtual power plants, will cooperate in developing a solar power generation map and technology to forecast solar energy generation output.
Soft Berry, which runs an app for EV charging stations, will be in charge of developing a power consumption forecast technology, while KERI will be responsible for studying ESS optimization and virtual power plant operational technology.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
