Korea Electric Association to Hold Forum on "Strategies to Promote Sector Coupling for Successful Energy Transition"

The Korea Electric Association announced on June 9 that it will hold the 42nd Power Policy Forum under the theme "Strategies to Promote Sector Coupling for Successful Energy Transition" at the High1 Grand Hotel in Jeongseon County, Gangwon Province, on June 19.

Sector Coupling is a strategy that enhances energy efficiency and system flexibility by interconnecting various energy sectors?such as electricity, heat, transportation, and industry?that have traditionally been operated separately. By doing so, it can address the intermittency and variability issues of renewable energy, making it a key tool for achieving energy transition and carbon neutrality.

Examples of sector coupling include utilizing surplus electricity for hydrogen production or as a heat source for district heating, as well as expanding electricity-based linkages in the transportation sector, such as electric vehicles. The association explained, "As grid instability and uncertainty in power supply and demand intensify due to the expansion of renewable energy, the concept of sector coupling is gaining attention as a solution through convergence between power and other energy sectors."

At this forum, there will be two presentations diagnosing the institutional foundations and technological challenges for promoting sector coupling, and proposing comprehensive strategic directions for a successful energy transition.

Kim Hankee, Director of the Distributed Energy Division at the Korea Institute of Energy Research, will give a presentation on "Core Technologies and Future Challenges of Sector Coupling." Kwon Pilseok, Director of the Green Energy Strategy Institute, will present on "Economic Effects and Institutional Improvements of Sector Coupling."

During the discussion, Kim Jin-ho, professor at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, will serve as moderator. The panel will include Jung Cheolbeom, team leader at Korea District Heating Corporation; Kim Jooheon, team leader at Korea East-West Power; and Ko Woong, professor at Changwon National University.

The forum is free to attend, and pre-registration is available on the Korea Electric Association website. This forum will be held during the "Electrical Installation Technical Standards Workshop (SETIC) 2025" event.