South Korea is racing toward the ambitious goal of carbon neutrality. The achievements accumulated so far, including expanding renewable energy deployment and developing related technologies, have built a solid foundation for our energy industry. However, last year's massive blackout on the Iberian Peninsula served as a wake-up call that we must elevate our system operation capabilities beyond mere quantitative growth.
The Iberian Peninsula saw a surge in renewable energy generation due to favorable weather, but paradoxically, this abundance weakened the power grid's safety mechanism—"inertia"—and destabilized the system. Inertia is like the fundamental stamina that keeps a power grid from collapsing during sudden incidents. For South Korea, an "isolated grid island," to fully achieve carbon neutrality, we must continue building on our achievements while also focusing on strengthening the grid's capacity.
First, we must further reinforce the grid's "physical resilience" to withstand external shocks. In the past, large generators maintained grid balance using inertia—the force of heavy rotating masses in motion. In contrast, solar and wind power lack this substantial rotational force, creating risks where even minor incidents can easily destabilize the entire grid. To address this, we need wise operational strategies, such as converting decommissioned thermal power facilities into synchronous condensers that serve as stabilizing anchors for the grid.
Second, we must establish "massive energy reservoirs" throughout the country to store excess electricity rather than wasting it. As renewable energy increases, moments of overproduction become more frequent, and sufficient buffer zones are essential for grid stability. We must simultaneously introduce long-duration storage systems capable of storing large amounts of power for extended periods and upgrade pumped-storage facilities with rapid response capabilities.
Finally, we need a "multidimensional shift in thinking" that maximizes overall energy efficiency beyond the boundaries of the power grid. Instead of curtailing generation when electricity is surplus, we should actively utilize energy conversion technologies that transform excess energy into heat or produce hydrogen for industrial use. If we complete a smart grid where supply and demand are tightly synchronized, building on the intelligent system capabilities we have already developed, South Korea will become a global leader in carbon neutrality.
All these processes must be executed meticulously and in stages, as if tapping a stone bridge before crossing. If we steadily apply new technologies in the field and verify their stability—as we have done successfully until now—we can secure grid stability while steadfastly reaching our carbon neutrality goal.
The optimal testing ground for this is Jeju Island. Like South Korea itself as an "isolated grid island," Jeju operates as a small-scale island grid. Furthermore, leveraging its nationwide-leading renewable energy generation facilities and electric vehicle adoption, Jeju is at the forefront of the journey toward carbon neutrality. Applying the various measures mentioned above in Jeju would enable South Korea to implement its carbon neutrality goals swiftly and efficiently.
Carbon neutrality is a great journey that must capture two goals: environmental protection and stable energy supply. Taking the Iberian Peninsula case as a lesson, we must now erect the pillar of grid integrity on the solid foundation of renewable energy deployment. Only an orderly transition backed by technological reliability will guide South Korea toward a sustainable, carbon-free society.