Naju City, which hosted the 'Artificial Sun' research facility last year, is set to hold the 'Global Energy Forum.'
The forum will take place from September 30 to October 1 at the Korea Institute of Energy Technology.
Leading scholars, energy experts, businesses, and young innovators will gather to discuss the next steps in the future energy industry.
The event is co-hosted by Naju City, Gwangju Metropolitan City, and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology.
This year's forum, the third of its kind, will focus on 'Artificial Sun and Energy Transition,' centering on three key themes: 'Fusion,' representing infinite clean energy; 'Future,' symbolizing future talent and innovative startups; and 'Flexibility,' addressing adaptable power grids, collectively referred to as 'F3.'
Naju City aims to connect global technological trends with local industrial foundations through this forum, leveraging the artificial sun research facility to foster technology development, commercialization, and the training of specialized personnel.
On the first day, the opening ceremony will feature an inaugural lecture by Jang Dae-ik, a distinguished professor at Gachon University, followed by the first session on 'Artificial Sun.'
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Howard Wilson, who leads the UK's next-generation commercial nuclear fusion demonstration project.
Following this, discussions will include Professor Noh Seung-jung from Dankook University, Professor Hwang Yong-seok from Seoul National University, Yang Hyung-ryeol, PD of the K-Moonshot Project, and Naju Mayor Yoon Byeong-tae, focusing on the current state of fusion technology, its commercialization potential, and the direction of industrial ecosystem development.
Mayor Yoon will present on 'The Future of Naju Transformed by the Artificial Sun,' outlining strategies for how Naju plans to aggregate research institutions, businesses, and talent since securing the artificial sun research facility, aiming to develop into a global hub for fusion research and industry.
The second day, October 1, will feature a session titled 'Energy Young Leader,' highlighting young researchers and innovative companies poised to lead the future energy industry.
Keynote speaker Carrie Forrest, Chief Scientific Officer of the U.S. fusion startup Realta Fusion, will present, joined by KAIST Professor Seong Chung-ki, Eterna Fusion CEO Kim Tae-kyung, Standard Magnet CEO Kim Jae-min, Qbeam Solutions CEO Jeong Bong-ki, and GIST Professor Kim Yoon-soo.
They will share diverse experiences and insights on commercialization challenges faced in connecting lab technologies to industry and market, as well as the role of startups and the cultivation of next-generation talent.
In the afternoon, the third session on 'Next-Generation Power Grids' will follow.
Professor Thomas Gries from RWTH Aachen University will deliver the keynote address, with participation from Moon Seung-il, head of research at the Korea Institute of Energy Technology, Kim Yong-hak, head of the New Business Technology Research Institute at Korea Electric Power Corporation, Dongshin University Professor Lee Soon-hyung, K-Grid Talent Startup Valley Promotion Team Leader Kim Hee-tae, and Jeon Nam Gwangju Energy Industry Association President Kim Yoo-shin, discussing current and future challenges of power grids in the era of energy transition.
The forum will conclude with a keynote lecture by Omar Yaghi, a distinguished professor at Tsinghua University and recipient of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, who will speak on 'Precision Materials and AI for a Sustainable Planet.'
Following this, he will engage in a dialogue with Park Jin-ho, acting president of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology, exploring how advanced materials and AI technologies can connect and foster new innovations in the future energy industry.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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