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BUSAN, South Korea — "The role of electrical installation safety standards is becoming increasingly critical to ensure a stable power supply and electrical safety," said Noh Yong-ho, Vice Chairman of the Korea Electrical Industry Federation (KEIF), on the 24th. "At SETIC 2026, let us collectively address core issues across the power sector, including the KEC (Korea Electrotechnical Code) technical seminars, future power grids, and grid stabilization technologies."Speaking at the opening ceremony of SETIC 2026 held at Hotel Nongshim in Busan, Vice Chairman Noh noted, "On June 17, Busan was selected as South Korea's first candidate site for commercial Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Holding SETIC 2026 here in Busan, where groundbreaking shifts and innovations in the energy industry are taking place, carries profound significance."The Sustainable Electric Technology International Conference (SETIC 2026), which began in 2003, marks its 24th anniversary this year. Over the course of three days ending on the 26th, electrical and energy experts will share knowledge and insights to map out the future development of the electrical industry.Vice Chairman Noh emphasized, "Newly launched under the Framework Act on the Development of the Electrical Industry, the Federation will communicate even more closely with the sector, fulfilling its responsibilities to safeguard electrical facilities and back the growth of the industry."During the event, Kim Jun-han, a manager at Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), and other recipients were honored with ministerial commendations from the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment for their contributions to energy industry development.On the opening day, the Technical Seminar on Electrical Fire Prevention introduced future directions for Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) installation standards and real-time monitoring systems for distribution boards in traditional markets. Simultaneously, the Carnot Battery Technical Seminar covered R&D projects focused on integrated Carnot battery systems. A Carnot battery is a large-scale, Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technology that converts surplus electricity into thermal energy, stores it in materials like concrete, and converts it back into electricity via steam turbines when needed.◆ Kim Chang-sub, Chairman of the Electricity Regulatory Commission: "Establishing a Power Supervisory Agency and Strengthening the Commission"At the opening event, Kim Chang-sub, Chairman of the Electricity Regulatory Commission, delivered a special lecture titled "The Past and Future of Power Regulation."He began by noting that the power industry is facing a massive energy transition, forecasting a sweeping overhaul of the current power oversight structure. As the expansion of renewable energy and a surge in market participants expose the limitations of the existing framework, Chairman Kim proposed a new governance model centered on the creation of a "Korea Power Supervisory Agency" (tentative name).South Korea's power industry has evolved from a vertically integrated monopoly into a unbundled generation system. However, to meet the national target of a renewable energy generation share of over 20% and a capacity of 100 GW by 2030, current facilities must expand by approximately 2.7 times. Furthermore, the number of member companies in the Korea Power Exchange (KPX) has skyrocketed from 19 in 2001 to over 7,000 last year, making the market environment highly complex.With inverter-based renewable energy sources rising, grid instability is worsening. Consequently, relying solely on conventional, ex-post, and centralized oversight has clear limits in preventing large-scale grid blackouts.As a solution, Chairman Kim proposed a "Three-Way Separation" framework dividing policy, deliberation, and oversight:Policy Design: Handled by the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment.Final Deliberation & Resolution: Overseen by the Electricity Regulatory Commission.Market Monitoring & Grid Oversight: Managed by the newly established Power Supervisory Agency.This structure adapts the collaborative model of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) to the electricity market, aiming to boost regulatory expertise and efficacy through the complementary roles of the decision-making body and the executive arm.The primary mandates of the proposed Power Supervisory Agency include:Timely updates to the Grid CodeEliminating governance time-lagsObjective verification of emergency measures, such as curtailment and maintenance schedulingClosing regulatory blind spotsData-driven, high-precision market surveillanceTo realize this, he highlighted that anchoring the legal basis in the Electricity Utility Act to guarantee institutional independence, securing financial autonomy through industry levies, and building AI-driven big data analytics capabilities will be critical to success."Structures can be changed quickly, but operational capabilities cannot be built overnight," Chairman Kim stressed, highlighting a phased implementation plan targeting a transition period in 2026 and an official launch in 2027. "Establishing the Power Supervisory Agency is not merely about adding another public institution; it is about building a robust institutional shield to safeguard industrial growth and public life within a shifting power market."Source: Electric Times (https://www.electimes.com) June 24, 2026, 17:42

DAEGU, South Korea — "Safety does not stem from extraordinary technology, but from the simple habit of adhering to the basics."On the exhibition floor of the 2026 Korea Electric Power Expo (EPEK 2026), held at EXCO in Daegu on the 24th, a steady stream of students and general visitors flocked to the Safety Experience Booth organized by the Korea Electrical Contractors Association (KECA). The booth received an enthusiastic response by shifting away from conventional, text-heavy displays, allowing visitors to directly experience the real dangers of electric shocks, short circuits, and fire hazards.The most popular attraction was the demonstration corner for Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs) designed for human shock protection. Visitors touched the demonstration equipment to feel a minute, controlled electrical current, naturally learning the risk of electrocution and the critical importance of circuit breakers.The booth also highlighted technical safety standards: under South Korean regulations, a circuit breaker must trip within 0.03 seconds when a leakage current of 30 mA or higher occurs in standard environments, or 15 mA or higher in wet locations. Visitors observed the actual operating principles of these devices, gaining a solid understanding of fundamental electrical safety.The Safety Footwear Experience Zone also drew significant attention. Here, attendees could verify firsthand how industrial safety shoes protect workers' feet from falling object impacts, sharp nails, and rebar.To simulate an actual construction site, sharp objects like nails were placed on the floor to compare standard shoes with professional safety footwear. Instructors explained that industrial safety shoes are engineered to withstand a falling impact of up to 1.5 tons and a compression force of 100 kg, while insulated footwear plays a vital role in mitigating electrocution risks during electrical work.Furthermore, the fire hazard demonstration realistically recreated how overcurrents from short circuits and electrical leaks escalate into fires, showing how rapidly sparks ignite and smoke spreads.Instructors explained how overloaded outlets, daisy-chaining multiple power strips, and leaving damaged wires unattended can lead to catastrophic fires, driving home the vital importance of electrical safety. One side of the booth featured detailed infographics on the causes of overcurrent, preventive guidelines, and the power consumption ratings of common electronics, allowing visitors to review their daily electrical habits."A significant portion of electrical accidents occurs not from a lack of technical expertise, but from momentary negligence," said Kim Byung-mok, a professor at the KECA Safety Education Team, who led the onsite training. "We hope this hands-on experience serves as an opportunity for people to truly feel the dangers and integrate safety protocols into their daily routines."He added, "The core message I want to convey to visiting students is that 'vigilance is the cornerstone of safety.' Safety is not a grand concept; it starts with the habit of following the basics."Designed to raise awareness among industrial workers, students, and the general public alike, the Safety Experience Booth was widely praised for contributing to the expansion of a robust safety culture through interactive, experiential education.Source: Electric Times (https://www.electimes.com) June 24, 2026, 15:41

DAEGU, South Korea — The 2026 Korea Electric Power Expo (EPEK 2026) made a spectacular opening at EXCO in Daegu on the 24th, offering a comprehensive look into the current state of "K-Electric" technology and the future trends of the energy industry.Now in its sixth year, the expo—co-hosted by Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and the Korea Electrical Contractors Association (KECA), and co-organized by EXCO and the Electric Times—demonstrated significantly enhanced maturity in both content and operational scale.To maximize visitor convenience and elevate exhibition professionalism, the venue features four specialized pavilions:The Gyeongsangbuk-do Nuclear Renaissance PavilionThe Renewable Energy PavilionThe Electrical Equipment PavilionThe Construction & Safety PavilionAcross these specialized zones, a total of 130 companies set up 400 booths to showcase their flagship products and cutting-edge technologies in power generation, nuclear energy, transmission/distribution, digital power, and renewable energy.The exhibition features leading entities such as Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Doosan Enerbility, KEPCO E&C, the KEPCO Safety Innovation Group, KEPCO KDN, KECA, and the Korea Electrotechnical Research Institute (KERI). In addition, prominent small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) like Gana Commerce, ITE, Samdae Electric, Ildung International, Baekhyun E&S, and CS Tech are displaying their innovations.To boost global market access for outstanding domestic power and energy companies, the expo is also hosting a dedicated export consultation matched with global buyers from 19 companies across 10 countries.Alongside the exhibition, a series of specialized seminars addressing recent policy shifts and practical issues in the power sector captured attendees' attention. Following the Distributed Energy Hybrid System Workshop on the 24th, the schedule for the 25th includes the Technical Exchange Meeting on Future Distribution Technologies and Key Materials, the Solar Income Village & Agrivoltaic Briefing, and the 2030 Energy Transition Seminar, providing industry professionals with actionable insights.The opening ceremony on the 24th was attended by prominent figures, including Yang Geum-hee, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Gyeongsangbuk-do; Lee Hyung-joo, President of KECA; National Assembly Member Woo Jae-jun; Guo Cheng-kai, Director-General of the Taipei Mission in Busan; Jamba Chagan-Uubgon, Consul of the Mongolian Consulate in Busan; Baek Nam-kil, Chairman of the Korea Electrical Construction Financial Cooperative (KECFC); Nam Hwa-young, President of the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation (KESCO); Kim Dong-min, Director at KEPCO; and Kim Dong-hwan, President of the Korea Electric Engineers Association (KEEA). Jang Deog-geun, President of the Electric Times, and Jeon Choon-woo, President & CEO of EXCO, personally welcomed the VIP guests."We hope today’s event serves as a turning point to elevate the global competitiveness of Korea's electric industry to the next level," said Yang Geum-hee, Vice Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do. She emphasized, "Power infrastructure is no longer just an industrial foundation; it has become national energy security that dictates AI leadership. I call on industry professionals to lead the way in ensuring uninterrupted power supply, which is a core asset for this security."Lee Hyung-joo, President of KECA, stated in his welcoming address, "Establishing a stable, smart grid and securing eco-friendly clean energy technologies have become vital tasks that determine national competitiveness. We must unite our capabilities with proactive insight to lead the upcoming future energy market."National Assembly Member Woo Jae-jun added in his congratulatory remarks, "The Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions are vital power generation hubs for South Korea, with additional nuclear power plants recently slated for the area. Consequently, much like advanced nations, we hope to establish a foundation for regional differential electricity pricing. This will ensure that areas producing substantial power can foster more industries and generate higher added value."Source: Electric Times (https://www.electimes.com) 2026.06.24 13:17