On June 22, the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) announced its intention to carry out joint special research for 2020 between KIOST and its affiliated institutions in an effort to create more outstanding research outcomes through collaboration between different sectors of ocean science and technology.

This effort is designed to collect the specialized technological resources and capabilities of KIOST, and two affiliates？the Korea Polar Research Institute (‘KOPRI’), and the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (‘KRISO’)？to promote a large project that can be applied in the future to other industries. The project is significant in that it can fulfill the expected responsibilities of each research institution and accelerate integrated research that incorporates multiple technologies.

  The three institutions followed the entire procedures,* including task exploration and selection. The research tasks selected are (i) establishment of a real-time integrated smart observation system in extremely cold marine space (KIOST, KOPRI, and KRISO), and (ii) development and research of technology to design a 1MW floating tidal stream power generation system (KIOST and KRISO). Each institution will provide the resources needed, such as manpower and funding, by year end.

* Work-level consultation and investigation of technology demand (March) → RFP review and determination (April, May) → Invitation of bidding, assessment and selection (June)

The first task, ‘establishment of a real-time integrated smart observation system in extremely cold marine space,’ seeks to develop global maritime observation technology covering extremely cold marine spaces as a way to respond to climate changes such as global warming and abnormal climate.

Although the oceans, deep sea and polar regions are core areas able to present insights into the causes of climate change, difficulty accessing these areas and the lack of observation equipment capable of enduring extremely cold conditions mean that insufficient research has been done.

The project will involve development of underwater robots and observation equipment that can operate in extreme environments (low temperature, high pressure etc.), and construction of a wide area observation system using exploration technology from KIOST and KOPRI. This is expected to increase the accuracy of weather forecasting and produce a scenario for national-level response to climate change.

The second task, ‘development of technology to design a 1MW floating tidal stream power generation system’ seeks to develop a floating tidal stream power generation system that enables large-scale generation of electricity to expand the use of ocean energy. The combination of KIOST technology in designing a tidal stream power generation system and KRISO’s ability to devise a floating structure will mean the soon commercial feasibility of technology able to generate large amounts of power.

Kim Woong-seo, KIOST President, stated, “This collaborative research is intended to speed up performance by utilizing the respective strengths of each institution. Going forward, KIOST will strive to address social issues and strengthen the competitive edge of ocean science and technology.”