Water-based batteries and mobile energy storage
“Unlike lithium-ion batteries, these batteries are water-based, so they do not catch fire.”
At the Bitgaram International Exposition of Electric Power Technology (BIXPO 2026), held at the Kimdaejung Convention Center in Gwangju on November 4, Kim Sung-jin, a managing director at Standard Energy, emphasized fire safety while introducing an energy storage system (ESS) using vanadium-ion batteries. The key difference from conventional lithium-ion batteries is the use of an aqueous electrolyte. Kim explained that this could allow ESS installations, previously restricted by concerns over battery fires, to expand into urban areas and indoor spaces. The company has so far completed ESS installations at 13 locations in South Korea and abroad, and is pursuing a project linked to electric vehicle charging stations in Japan.
“Because they do not catch fire, we can make full use of the batteries' characteristics,” Kim explained. “The advantage is that we can use their high-power performance without the risk of fire or explosion.” Kim added: “Whereas our business has focused on proof-of-concept projects until now, we are pursuing commercialization in earnest from this year.”
The exhibition introduced technologies not only for storing electricity but also for transporting and supplying it where needed. Startup Aeonus presented a mobile ESS that can replace diesel generators. It works by moving a vehicle carrying stored electricity to the location where power is needed. It enables electricity use even where there are no fixed power facilities, increasing mobility and the range of applications.
The exhibition floor at the Bitgaram International Exposition of Electric Power Technology (BIXPO 2026), held at the Kimdaejung Convention Center in Gwangju from November 4 to November 6.
Hosted by Korea Electric Power Corporation, BIXPO marked its 11th edition this year. Held for three days through November 6 under the theme “Tech Innovation meets Possibility,” the event brought together 198 companies from South Korea and abroad. The exhibition was divided into a global exhibition hall and a startup investment hall, with 46 conference sessions on topics including the energy transition, AI and future power grids.
The BIXPO exhibition brought together a range of technologies intended to overcome existing limitations in the power industry. Visitors could see developments in the future energy industry, from AI technologies that detect warning signs in power equipment and analyze spare grid capacity to ultra-high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission and next-generation small modular reactors (SMRs).
AI-based grid operation and equipment monitoring
In particular, KEPCO's AI Virtual Power Grid demonstrated a potential change in grid operation. The system digitally represents power plants, transmission lines, substations and distribution networks nationwide, with AI using repeated simulations to identify optimal ways to operate the grid. Its central purpose is to identify unused capacity in the existing grid, reducing the need to build new transmission lines and expanding renewable energy connections.
“The AI Virtual Power Grid creates a digital twin of the entire transmission and distribution grid, and AI finds optimal solutions through endlessly repeated simulations,” a KEPCO representative explained. “It can identify unused grid capacity and establish optimal investment plans.” KEPCO plans to complete proof-of-concept work on the AI Virtual Power Grid this year and begin full-scale development for application in Jeju and Honam from 2027.
The startup investment hall newly introduced at this year's Bitgaram International Exposition of Electric Power Technology (BIXPO 2026).
Technology using AI chips to manage power equipment also attracted attention. South Korean AI chip company Rebellions disclosed the results of a demonstration conducted jointly with KEPCO for AI-based video safety monitoring at substations. The technology uses AI to analyze footage from substation closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in real time, identify people and key objects, and detect dangerous situations.
“Using our internally developed ATOM-Max AI chip, we achieved an overall video analysis score of 95.4, exceeding the 93.3 score of the existing graphics processing unit (GPU),” a Rebellions representative explained. “We confirmed stable performance with a single server handling 500 video channels and operating continuously for 72 hours without frame loss.”
Building on these results, KEPCO and Rebellions aim to consolidate video analysis infrastructure currently distributed across individual substations and expand its application to about 800 substations nationwide in 2027. The idea is to introduce AI into power equipment management to reduce the workload of monitoring personnel while broadening the use of domestically developed AI chips.
Startup investment and commercialization
The newly introduced startup investment hall offered an opportunity to examine the commercial potential of innovative technologies. It brought together 100 startups in energy and power, AI, environmentally friendly materials and smart industry, with programs connecting them to investors and large and midsized companies. A total of 309 one-to-one business meetings and investor presentations by 40 companies are scheduled during the event.
KEPCO President Kim Dong-cheol.
“With AI and advanced industries growing rapidly today, we are fully entering the era of the ‘Elecconomy,’ in which all economic activity revolves around electricity,” KEPCO President Kim Dong-cheol emphasized in opening remarks. “Electricity has now become the driving force of industry and national competitiveness itself.”
“This year's BIXPO will provide opportunities for technology to translate into actual business,” Kim continued. “It will give startups an opportunity to present themselves to investors, and small and medium-sized enterprises a place to demonstrate their technological capabilities and open new sales channels.”
Original Korean article: Edaily
English brief by Korea Wind Intelligence, koreawindintel.com
