Data center technology research group launched, with professor Moon Won-sik as inaugural chair
Four divisions planned as group seeks to support cooperation for data center industry development
“We need to remember that data centers are customers using large volumes of electricity, rather than treating them as excessive electricity consumers. Future data center competitiveness will depend not on servers but on power grids, substations, transmission lines and the speed of grid connection. Rapidly increasing electricity demand from AI data centers, along with requirements for high efficiency and high density, is fundamentally changing the structure and technology of electrical equipment.”
Soongsil University professor Moon Won-sik emphasized rapidly growing data center demand and the importance of the large-scale power infrastructure needed to accommodate it at the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers' launch ceremony for its data center technology research group on October 29.
The Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers held the launch ceremony during its autumn academic conference, held from October 28 to October 30, and appointed Moon as the group's inaugural chair.
“Data is now a new resource and a foundation of national competitiveness,” Moon said. “The speed of securing power infrastructure will determine the success or failure of data center projects.”
Moon emphasized that AI data centers' uninterrupted 24-hour operation and ultrahigh-density computing require new standards and technologies for improved energy efficiency, operational reliability and equipment safety.
Moon explained that sustainable development of the data center industry requires a forum where industry, academia, research institutions and government can discuss the latest technologies, standards and institutional improvements, with a focus on electrical installations.
“Stable and sustainable development of data centers requires integrated research and cooperation covering the full electrical installation life cycle, including power supply and grid connection, electrical installation design and construction, operations and energy efficiency, and safety and technical standards,” Moon said. “Innovation in electrical installations is central to the future of data centers.”
In congratulatory remarks, institute president Choi An-seop said, “Although it feels somewhat overdue, the data center technology research group has been launched as the institute's eighth research group. We look forward to more research achievements and progress in this field.”
The group plans to operate through four divisions: power supply and grid connection; electrical installation design and construction; operations and energy efficiency; and safety and technical standards.
Original Korean article: Electric Times
English brief by Korea Wind Intelligence, koreawindintel.com
