South Korea’s state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has teamed up with Canada’s fourth largest electricity distributor Alectra Utilities to supply energy to be produced from a microgrid system in Canada.

KEPCO and Alectra Utilities jointly built a microgrid complex in a small town in Ontario, Canada, an official at KEPCO said Sunday. The company is ready to supply energy from the microgrid for commercial use after it has completed tests for energy efficiency and reliability with the 500 kilowatt-hour (kWh) energy storage system (ESS) in the microgrid.

A microgrid is a power system that can be operated independently without access to outside power plants because it is equipped with the renewable energy generating facility and ESS. It is regarded as a next-generation energy technology suitable for remote islands, university campuses and small towns due to its low dependence on external power.

Following the recent project, KEPCO will continue to partner with the Canadian firm to expand its microgrid business in North America. It also aims to make forays into other advanced countries in Europe and Australia, an official at KEPCO said, adding that the state firm will start the export of its microgrid system in the second half of this year.

By Kim Jung-hwan

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