The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), led by President Yi Chang-keun, held “KIER Conference 2023” on the 13th day of December at the headquarters of the KIER in Daejeon. The conference is titled "Collaboration and Integration among Technology, People, and Market," with the aim of sharing R&D results and workplace innovations for the year 2023, as well as identifying candidate technologies for the K-Energy packaging initiative.

Currently, Korea is dealing with three major energy challenges: energy security, climate change, and cost. Therefore, science and technology innovation is crucial for enhancing energy security and achieving a carbon-neutral society while also driving economic growth. The KIER has held an annual conference to boost the confidence of its members and establish a solid foundation for science and technology innovation through collaboration. This year’s conference is the fourth.

The conference includes three sessions: Energy Grand Award, Workplace Innovation, and poster presentations. During the Energy Grand Award session, the most influential research results from the 2023 KIER study are shared. These results are achieved through integration and collaboration among KIER personnel and are expected to contribute to the country's carbon-neutrality and the further growth of markets and industries. They include resource recycling, fine dust reduction, non-carbon power generation, and energy efficiency improvement.

During the Workplace Innovation Session, 8 presentations are delivered. They are focused on innovating work processes, achieving significant milestones, and promoting innovation and collaboration in management. During the Poster Session, 108 posters are presented on the conference homepage. The 16 posters are displayed in the conference lobby as the top posters selected by KIER in advance.

At the Challenge Day Session, included for the first time this year in the conference program, there are 9 projects presented. They are evaluated based on timing, marketability, technological superiority, and the researchers' capabilities. Several projects shall be selected later on. Those selected ones shall be funded from the year of 2024.

Meanwhile, for the Energy Grand Award, judges consisting of senior members from the KIER and experts from other research institutes, along with KIER staff, selected the research project titled "Development of Prognostic and Health Management for New & Renewable Energy Systems based on DNA (Data, Network, AI)." The researchers created AI-powered technology to detect defects in renewable energy sources. They then transferred this technology to businesses, secured research projects for further study, and contributed to the creation of a spin-off. The technology is expected to have a significant impact on a growing market, as the use of renewable energy is expanding and the related facilities are aging. Dr. Sung Yoon-dong and the research team also won the title of “New Excellent Technology” for the technology they developed this year from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

President Yi Chang-keun expressed his vision for the KIER to develop top-tier global technologies through innovation and creativity. This will drive the country's growth and establish KIER as a leading global research institute. In order to achieve this vision, I will strive to identify KIER's excellent research results and achievements as K-Energy, and expand these outstanding outcomes of K-Energy to businesses and overseas. He said, "Through the conference, I hope we can share our knowledge and promote networking to build an organizational culture that integrates technology, people, and the market."