I learned that I should save electricity. However, there are times when the power plant is over-producing electricity so that the operation is stopped. ‘60 Hertz’ makes the electricity map to run electricity efficiently. The reasons 60 Hertz made the map were summarized in a report.
LAB NOTE Summary
By 2040, it is predicted that half of the world’s electricity production will come from renewable energy. Germany, Japan, Australia, etc. have already achieved Grid Parity (the proportion of renewable energy generation becomes cheaper or equal to the existing electricity price) since 2015 and the increasing number of countries is following the step. Korea is also working fast towards the goal of achieving Grid Parity by 2027.
There are over 100,000 solar power plants in Korea. The number includes the solar power generators on the roofs of the stand-alone houses. The problem is that the amount of electricity from individual power plants is not counted in national statistics. It can be managed by installing the meters on each house, but it takes a lot of time and effort. 60 Hertz introduced the ‘Renewable Energy Map’ service that displays the amount of power produced by 80,000 renewable energy power plants across the country on a map. 60 Hertz has developed a technology that can predict the amount of electricity in a private power plant without a meter.
To predict electricity consumption, 60 Hertz uses data of weather information. As long as the location is confirmed where the generator is installed, we can estimate the amount of power generated from the temperature, amount of clouds and sunlight in that place. If it is updated periodically, it is possible to predict a fairly accurate value with an error of 3% or less based on the amount of electricity generated per day. The ‘sunshine and wind map’ is completed by collecting electricity data from all over the country.
If you can predict the amount of electricity generated, you can also find ways to use electricity efficiently. An electric car charging station is the illustrative example. It allows you to use electricity at a cheaper price if you charge the car at a time and place with high power production. We are also interested in the V2G (Vehicle to Grid) business, which charges electric vehicles when there is remaining power generation.
Title
60 Hertz
When the supply and demand of electricity match, the power grid in Korea maintains a frequency of 60Hz. It is the most stable frequency to transmit power without wasting it. The name of this energy startup ’60 Hertz’ symbolizes in the stability of the power grid.
Observe
“In 2020, wind power plants in Jeju Island were stopped 77 times. The Sinan solar power plant in Sinan, Jeollanam-do has stopped generating electricity three times. These were the inevitable measures taken because there was no means to store or transmit the generated electricity, not because of equipment failures.”
Question
“If supply exceeds demand and the stability of the power grid is threatened, wouldn’t it be the right choice in social and economical aspects to reduce the operation of fossil fuel power generation rather than renewable energy? Still, what is the reason to stop generating renewable energy? and why is it oversupplied?”
Limiting the output mainly occurs on Jeju Island. Renewable energy, which is greatly affected by the weather, does not have a constant power generation amount, so sometimes the power is left at a certain time zone. 60 Hertz predicts the time zone when the amount of renewable energy generation is left through statistics a day or three days ahead. Instead of turning off the generator due to overproduction of power, we can think about a plan to use electricity in a more efficient way. For example, it is like charging an electric car when the electricity is left! To efficiently use power is also a way to reduce the operation of fossil fuel power plants.
Objective
“60 Hertz develops a technology that can predict the amount of renewable energy generation across the country, such as sunlight and wind power, and applies it to 80,000 power plants nationwide to provide a real-time monitoring service.”
In Korea, public data access is relatively high. In the energy sector, a lot of information has already been made public, but there are still few examples of utilizing this data. 60 Hertz expects more data to be open to the public as the public is increasingly interested in public data. For example, if ESS (Energy Storage System) data connected with renewable energy power plants are disclosed, the amount of power generation can be more accurately predicted. If data on the distribution network is open to the public, more services can be created on the map.
Hypothesize
“It can be helpful in power plant management and stable power grid operation by accurately predicting the amount of renewable energy generation. Based on this, if the operation rate of renewable energy power plants increases, it is not necessary to use fossil fuel power plants, resulting in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”
As the consciousness about climate crisis is expanding, the world is fully working on to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The greenhouse gas emissions in Korea exceed the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). 60 Hertz thought that it would also be necessary to expand solar power and other eco power plants, including wind power. This technology is expected to be developed into a service that can create various types of virtual power plants in which electric vehicles and home appliances can participate.
Methodology
“We can predict the amount of renewable energy generation through weather information. Massive amount of data can be efficiently processed using through AI technology to predict daily power generation for more than 80,000 power plants. 60 Hertz develops a “renewable energy integrated management system” that can monitor and manage dispersed generation by creating this information in the form of a map.”
Unlike traditional power plants, renewable energy plants are small and decentralized. We need a strategy to efficiently operate small power plants. 60 Hertz provides technology or services to connect and manage small power plants with IT. Currently, IT is connected to only power plants, but soon the scope will be expanded to electric vehicles and smart home appliances. If all devices that produce and consume power can be connected to predict the total supply more precisely, it will be possible to secure stability of energy supply and demand without any waste.
Company Overview
60 Hertz (https://60hz.io) aims to create the world a safer and more efficient place focusing on renewable energy using IT technology. Now, people working in the energy industry are using the ‘Renewable Energy Map’ service, which displays the current and future amount of power generation of 80,000 solar and wind power plants across the country along with weather information. 60 Hertz won the grand prize in the 2021 public data utilization contest (Presidential Award), the grand prize in the social venture competition (Prime Minister’s Award), the grand prize in the public data BI contest (the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy’s Award), and the social venture IR grand prize (the Minister of SMEs and Startups Award). 60 Hertz was selected for public-private partnership ICT Project by Ministry of Science and ICT (Partner: Shinhan Financial Group), Early-State Startup package by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Partner: K-water) and is carrying out national R&D.
