Electric Power Industry R&D Program

Electric Power Industry R&D

Funds research in electric power systems to strengthen Korea’s grid modernization and energy platform innovation.

The Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) issues annual competitive R&D grants for electric power system technology under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). KETEP was established in 2009 under Article 13 of Korea's Energy Act and managed approximately USD $826 million in innovative energy R&D in 2025. The Electric Power Industry R&D program is one of KETEP's six core programs and is framed around a full-cycle energy system approach. Four sub-areas structure the program: electric power system infrastructure, smart grid technology for transmission and distribution networks, clean thermal power, and energy storage systems (ESS). A dedicated track on next-generation distributed grid technology addresses the evolving architecture of Korea's electricity network as variable renewable generation increases.

Korean universities, research institutes, and for-profit companies are the standard applicant categories. Applications are submitted through the IRIS portal. Per-call award amounts in Korean Won, submission deadlines, match-funding requirements, and evaluation rubrics are specified in individual annual solicitation documents and are not fixed at the program level. KETEP's annual R&D budget scale — approximately USD $826 million across all programs in 2025 — reflects Korea's status as a major national energy R&D funder in the Asia-Pacific region. The smart grid and ESS tracks respond directly to Korea's grid modernization priorities and the integration challenges posed by increasing solar and wind capacity.

Organizations working on ESS battery management systems, smart grid communications protocols, or clean thermal power technology with low-carbon modifications are well-positioned for this program. The distributed grid track is relevant for companies developing advanced inverters, microgrid controllers, or demand-response platforms. Non-Korean applicants must partner with a Korean lead institution to access the IRIS system. Call announcements are released on the KETEP website and the IRIS portal, typically on an annual cadence tied to the Korean government fiscal year running January through December.