탄소중립과 에너지 패러다임 전환의 딜레마- 한국 발전 부문에서의 에너지 전환 -

Abstract

Carbon neutrality is required to prevent global warming by climate change. 27% of greenhouse gases are emitted in the process of making electrical energy. 37% of greenhouse gases are emitted during electricity production in Korea. Carbon neutrality is a far-fetched task unless we reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation. The Korean government intends to drastically reduce coal-fired electricity generation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. After the Fukushima nuclear accident, the nuclear phase-out policy is being pursued in Korea. The shortage of electricity will be filled with renewable energy generation. A shift in the energy paradigm could lead to a serious energy gap in Korea. Energy-based industries such as steel, shipbuilding, automobiles, and chemicals are major industries in Korea. As a leading country in the 4th industrial revolution, the demand for electric energy is continuously increasing. In addition, as the mobility paradigm shifts from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles, the use of electric energy will also continue to increase. As the government claims, it is not easy to increase renewable energy generation that can replace coal-fired generation and nuclear energy. In the process of increasing renewable energy capacity, natural gas or hydroelectricity generation should be actively promoted. Nuclear phase-out policy should be slowed down, and small nuclear reactors such as SMR should be used as an auxiliary means of nuclear phase-out. Plasma fusion power generation, a future energy source, should also be actively fostered. In particular, it is necessary to build an energy ecosystem such as a smart grid by utilizing ICT. Through innovation and collaboration between the public and private sector, the energy gap on the road to carbon neutrality must be overcome.