South Korea – A Renewable Energy Super Power?

100 Percent Renewal Energy Future for Korea?

South Korea is sitting on huge potential gold mine of renewable energy potential

I live in a high-rise building near Gimpo north of Seoul. Every day i look out at the high-rise buildings all around me and think about the huge potential that South Korea is wasting in terms of solar and wind power. Every high rise building could and should have installed solar panels, mini-wind turbines, water harvesting systems and roof top gardens by now.

The Korean government should take the lead in transitioning to a 100 percent renewable energy future. they should Install solar energy, solar water heaters, mini-wind turbines, battery storage systems, water harvesting systems and roof top gardens on all buildings especially high rise buildings,

If the government were to mandate that all apartment towers, office towers and government buildings including schools were to install on top of their buildings solar panels, solar water heaters, mini-wind turbines, water harvesting systems and rooftop gardens with sufficient back up battery storage systems, each building could be close to 100 percent self-sufficient in energy and water, not to mention much cooler to operate because of the shade trees of the roof top garden. You should be able to hang the solar panels in such a way that the roof top trees don’t interfere too much with solar power generation. The government run utility should install and maintain these systems free of charge to the owners of the buildings, and the corporations should receive a tax rebate as well.

The problem is not a technological problem other than converting the power grid to a smart grid to handle more intermittent power supplies, rather it is the question of who pays for the installation and maintenance and the reluctance of property owners to install these systems due to the high upfront costs. That’s why the government should mandate it and the utility companies should pay for it and corporations and individuals should receive a tax break as well.

Grow sugar cane and corn for biodiesel convert all vehicles to hybrid vehicles using Electricity and biodiesel fuel sources – Korean can grow sugar cane and corn to make biodiesel fuel. This would not be difficult to do.

Install a lot more fast charging stations everywhere

Use AI to better route buses and public transit systems, and lead the way to converting to 100 percent renewable energy

AI should be used to better map out buses and public transit systems to ensure maximum usage. And to manage and roll out self driving cars once that technology becomes more widespread. AI could also be use to keep abreast of all the research on renewable energy and the experiences of other countries, and make policy proposals for the government to consider implementing.. The AI systems are bilingual so they can be used to research and implement renewable energy solutions for Korean policy makers to implement.

Set Up Tidal Power Stations

Korea should also install tidal power plants along the west coast particularly in the Incheon area and in Yeoungondo island as this area has some of the best tidal power potential in the world. The advantage of tidal power is that is always on as opposed to solar and wind power, and no need for storage, can immediately feed into the smart grid. The airport should also have installed solar panels, mini-wind turbines, water harvesting systems, and roof top gardens.

Set off off-shore wind turbines .

There is a lot of potential for wind power in Korea, both on land, and off shore as well as mini-trubines on top of high-rise buildings

Set up Geothermal Power Plants near Hot Springs

This is another untapped potential as there are lots of geothermal hot spots suitable for geothermal power production in South Korea and Japan.

Modest expansion of Nuclear Power Should Also be In the Mix

Korea Could Become a Renewable Energy Powerhouse

Korea could become an renewable energy power house exporting excess energy to Japan, North Korea and China and supplying renewable energy to US forces in Korea and to the diplomatic community. Foreign Embassies and USFK should be encouraged to set up their own renewable energy systems.

If Korea were to do all of these things, Korea would be 100 percent renewable energy and could even export energy to North Korea, Japan and China. It would require a President and national asssembly leadership to make it happen. It should only take a few years to set up. Most of the solar panels, turbines, water harvesting systems and roof top gardens should and could be make locally and even exported once Korea reaches its 100 percent renewable energy goals.

And Korea would no longer have to import oil, gas and coal to run its power plants, and fuel its cars and vehicles.

Co-Pilot provided additional background information:

what is the potential for renewable energy in South Korea? what is being planned?

South Korea has significant potential for renewable energy, and the government has ambitious plans to harness this potential. Here are some key points:

Current Status and Potential

Current Renewable Energy Contribution: As of now, renewable sources account for less than 10% of South Korea’s domestically generated power.
Future Goals: The government aims to increase the share of renewable energy to 20% by 2030 and 35% by 2040.

Planned Initiatives

Offshore Wind Farms: South Korea plans to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm with a capacity of 8.2 GW.
Solar Power: The country aims to install 31 GW of solar power by 2030.
Hydrogen Economy: Efforts are underway to ease regulations for hydrogen charging stations and support the hydrogen mobility ecosystem.
Energy Technology Development Plan: This plan, effective through 2033, focuses on achieving technological self-sufficiency and supporting the commercialization of clean energy technologies.

Challenges

Grid Infrastructure: Upgrading the existing grid infrastructure is crucial to manage the increased input
from renewable sources.
Regulatory Hurdles: Streamlining the permitting processes and enhancing transparency in project pipelines are necessary to overcome bottlenecks.

South Korea’s commitment to renewable energy is a significant step towards reducing emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

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