World Climate Industry Expo kicks off in S. Korea, showcasing latest energy technology
BUSAN, Aug. 27 (Yonhap) -- The 2025 World Climate Industry Expo (WCE) kicked off in South Korea on Wednesday under the theme "Energy for AI and AI for Energy," showcasing cutting-edge energy technologies and fostering discussions on the role of energy in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) among global energy leaders, the energy ministry said.
The event, co-hosted by the Korean government, International Energy Agency (IEA) and the World Bank, is set to run through Friday at the BEXCO convention center in Busan, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, to exhibit cutting-edge energy technologies of some 540 companies from here and abroad, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Hyosung Heavy Industries Co., LS Electric Co. and HD Hyundai Electric Co. displayed their technologies for next-generation power grid, such as the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system, smart grid and energy storage system, while Doosan Group showcased its small modular reactor foundry technology.
Korea Zinc Inc. exhibited its value chain on renewable energy and green hydrogen, and POSCO Group introduced its hydrogen reduction ironmaking technology and vision for carbon emission reduction.
Samsung Electronics Co., LG Electronics Inc. and Hyundai Motor Co. showcased technologies on cooling of AI data centers, AI chip, zero-energy buildings, electric vehicle charging robots and others.
Officials from 32 countries and global tech giants, including Microsoft, Google, Nvidia and Amazon Web Services, as well as IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol and Manuela Ferro, regional vice president for East Asia and Pacific Region at the World Bank, are also scheduled to attend WCE conferences to discuss ways to respond to soaring demand for electricity and achieve carbon neutrality, according to the ministry.
In the opening ceremony, Birol said "the rise of data centers and AI is one of the drivers contributing to the emergence of the 'age of electricity,' alongside the growing adoption of electric vehicles, air conditioning and other electricity-intensive technologies," noting his agency projects electricity consumption from data centers to more than double from the current level to 1,000 terawatt-hours by 2030.
"Electricity use has already grown at twice the pace of overall energy demand over the last decade, but from today to 2035, we expect it to grow six times as fast," he added.
Birol said countries that can supply clean and affordable energy will have a "significant" advantage in the global AI race, and conversely, those who harness the power of AI will be able to take the upper hand in the future energy sector.
"There is no AI without energy ... and AI has the potential to transform the energy sector."
nyway@yna.co.kr
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