Energy Efficiency R&D Program

Energy Efficiency R&D

Funds Korean teams developing energy efficiency innovation for industry systems.

The Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) issues annual competitive R&D grants for energy efficiency technology under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). Established in 2009 and managing approximately USD $826 million in energy R&D in 2025, KETEP administers the Energy Efficiency program as one of its six principal areas. The program addresses three sectors. The industrial track covers high-efficiency motors, fluid machinery, industrial furnaces, and carbon-free transition technologies for energy-intensive industries. The building track funds zero-energy building technology for both new construction and retrofits, building energy management systems (BEMS), and smart energy management platforms. The transportation track covers electric vehicle mobility systems, EV charging infrastructure, and bidirectional energy efficiency technology enabling vehicle-to-grid flows. The program's overarching aim is to shift Korean industry toward high-efficiency, low-consumption technology and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment and transport sectors.

Korean universities, research institutes, and for-profit companies are the eligible applicant pool. Applications are submitted through the IRIS portal. Specific award amounts in Korean Won, per-call deadlines, match-funding ratios, and evaluation criteria are published in annual solicitation documents; these details vary by call cycle. KETEP's total managed portfolio provides context: the approximately USD $826 million annual R&D budget spans all six programs, with efficiency representing a significant share given Korea's industrial energy intensity and national carbon-neutrality commitments.

Applicants focused on BEMS software and sensor integration, industrial motor drive efficiency, or bidirectional EV charging standards align with explicitly stated sub-area priorities. The zero-energy building track is relevant for companies combining insulation, renewable generation, and BEMS into integrated retrofit systems. Non-Korean organizations seeking access should identify a Korean lead institution before the annual call opens, as IRIS registration requires a Korean applicant entity. Call releases are announced through the KETEP website and the IRIS portal.