'BIXPO' to be Held Online on the 2nd of Next Month

KEPCO's 'Motor Show of the Energy Industry'
New Technology Exhibition, Patent Fair, Startup Competition, etc.
28,157 Participants Registered Last Year, 18 Export Contracts Worth 38.3 Billion KRW

The scene from the '2019 Bitgaram International Electric Power Technology Expo' (BIXPO) held last year. (Photo by Korea Electric Power Corporation)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok]

"Last year, customers we met through Korea Electric Power Corporation's 'Bitgaram International Electric Power Technology Expo (BIXPO)' inquired about smart factory power solutions after the event ended. I understand this year it will be held online, which is much more welcome news for startups and innovative companies than a cancellation." (Team Leader of Renewable Energy Innovation Company A)

"Unlike home appliances or automobiles, there are few exhibitions in the energy industry where people can gather. Even when invited to forums, discussions tend to focus on specific topics and issues, making it easy to part ways afterward. Opportunities to meet KEPCO and its power generation subsidiaries all at once are rare." (Team Leader of Mid-sized Energy Company B)

"The attendee list, including KEPCO, its subsidiaries, and overseas buyers, is more important than the scale of the event, so it is unfortunate that this year it is held online.

I was hoping to meet KEPCO and subsidiary officials to inquire about policy issues such as the Green New Deal and KEPCO's participation in renewable energy power generation projects, so it's disappointing." (Deputy General Manager of Energy Company C)

According to the energy industry on the 28th, the '2020 BIXPO,' which brings together international energy trends and future energy technologies in one place, will be held online from the 2nd to the 11th of next month.

Since 2015, KEPCO has held this event annually, and it is the largest domestic energy exhibition with about 20,000 to 30,000 participants each year.

According to KEPCO, 18,015 people registered in 2018, and 28,157 registered last year. As of last year, 18 export contracts worth approximately 38.3 billion KRW (about 33.221 million USD) were signed.

The event is known for its diverse programs, including new technology exhibitions, international conferences, international invention patent fairs, startup competitions, job fairs, and specialty product markets.

In particular, it is expected to be an excellent opportunity for startups and innovative companies to network with ordering companies such as KEPCO, its subsidiaries, and large private sector project operators.

This year's BIXPO will be held online in a non-face-to-face format due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The event will focus mainly on promoting overseas exports for small and medium-sized enterprises and regional win-win development. The theme of the event is the same as last year: 'Energy Transition and Digital Transformation.'

A KEPCO official hinted, "This year, we will showcase new digital transformation technologies in the power industry, such as superconducting transmission technology, energy storage systems (ESS), remote metering data analysis solutions, and power facility management using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)."

He added, "We plan to create an online platform to share energy transition-related research and development (R&D) achievements with 30 global companies and 200 small and medium-sized enterprises. Demonstrations will include hydrogen fuel cell drones, solar cell technology, offshore wind power, and the world's first underwater solar power technology (installing underwater solar panels on salt farm floors to simultaneously produce salt and electricity)."

The energy industry welcomed the news that this year's BIXPO will not be canceled but held online, citing reasons such as ▲ many companies wanting policy communication with ordering companies as the government announced the 'Korean New Deal' policy implementation this year, ▲ startups and small businesses can showcase their technologies without the burden of setting up booths, and ▲ lowering entry barriers for new companies that have not secured overseas clients.

An industry official said, "Compared to other energy events, BIXPO's distinction lies in the opportunity to communicate policy with KEPCO officials. This year, there is high interest in KEPCO's participation in renewable energy power generation projects, performance outlooks, and the third-party power purchase agreement (PPA) system."

Another official predicted, "For startups, it is a positive impact on business expansion just to have the opportunity to communicate online with KEPCO, its subsidiaries, and other ordering companies that are otherwise difficult to meet independently."