The government is pushing for the installation of a large-scale energy storage system (ESS) with a capacity of 540 megawatts (MW) to prevent the output control of power sources during the summer to avoid excess power generation.
On the 22nd, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it would implement the 'ESS central contracting market bidding' to introduce ESS with capacities of 500 MW and 40 MW, respectively, on the mainland and Jeju. This project aims to store surplus power generated during peak electricity production hours and supply it during high demand times to enhance grid stability and prevent output control.
The large-scale ESS in mainland areas is expected to be installed in Gangwon Province and the Honam region, where a 'grid management substation' is located. The government estimates that the scale of the ESS to be installed this time will be at least 10 MW and up to 100 MW, and at least six ESS are expected to be installed in Jeju.
Considering the charging time of 6 hours for the 500 MW ESS, the actual installed ESS capacity will reach 3,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) on the mainland and 240 MWh in Jeju. Given that the average monthly electricity usage of a four-person household is 300 kWh, it is estimated that this will be sufficient to supply the electricity needs of over 10,000 households for one month.