Idea for Eco-Friendly, Non-Polluting 'Nano Ceramic Coating' from Korea's Green Innovators
Rotating Solar Panel 'Haedori' Draws Attention in Harsh Environments of Southeast Asia and the Middle East
Preparation for Gigawatt-Scale Commercialization at Home and Abroad... "Acquiring Clean Hydrogen, Going Public, etc. are Objectives"
BK Energy aims to present its proprietary technology, nano-coating solar panels, to the future-oriented solar market. Our immediate task is to transform into a company that can leverage this competitive edge in business while preserving the core technology.
In a recent interview with the magazine, Lee Haeng-woo, CEO of BK Energy, stated, "Based on steady technological development, we plan to embark on gigawatt-scale overseas projects."
Entering the solar market with rotating and floating solar patents in 2014, BK Energy, as it approaches its 10th year of operation, has achieved significant milestones such as obtaining New Excellent Technology (NET) certification in 2021 and being selected as an energy-specialized company by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in 2023.
The current achievements in solar power, including completed and permitted projects, exceed 120MW, encompassing water-based solar projects in Hwasun, Boryeong, and other locations. Additionally, projects under discussion abroad boast gigawatt-scale capacities.
In South Korea, the 240MW water-based solar project in Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do, has entered the track for development permits, surpassing an 85% approval rate from local residents. This mega-project anticipates generating profits of around 1.26 trillion won over the next 20 years.
The driving force behind these achievements lies in the water-based rotating solar power plants equipped with nano ceramic coatings. These plants utilize rotating panels to track sunlight over time, expanding the solar input angle, and reducing pollution with ceramic coatings, potentially increasing solar module efficiency from 21% to nearly 30%, according to company statements.
Above all, nano ceramic coatings are considered BK Energy's 'killer content.' Developed based on the idea of Korean celadon discovered during the Goryeo Dynasty, this technology involves applying special ceramics at the nano-scale to module surfaces. Even with the same solar module, nano coatings enhance resistance to saltwater and moisture (hydrophilicity), and pollutants like dust and sand can be easily removed with ordinary water.
CEO Lee Haeng-woo emphasized, 'Through coating, we have enhanced constructability and can prevent electrostatic breakdown accidents as a semiconductor. These characteristics lead to cost savings in maintenance and increased power generation. It's a technology with strengths in various environments, including natural rainwater cleaning.'
The superiority of ceramic coatings is evident even in the Dubai solar market, dominated by British and other European operators. This technology received high praise from buyers and finance professionals in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe at the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (DEWA) power conference held in the past two years.
The CEO stated, 'Solar panels in desert regions, frequently penetrated by sandstorms, require maintenance such as cleaning and angle adjustments more than four times a year, incurring substantial costs. However, the response capability of companies handling this is low.' He added, 'Nano ceramic coatings can reduce cleaning frequency to once every three years and offer six times cost efficiency and increased power generation efficiency. This is why we received a call from a British main contractor overseeing desert solar projects.'
It's explained that BK Energy's existing rotating water-based solar brand, 'Haedori,' also gained competitiveness by incorporating nano ceramic coatings. Haedori encompasses a solar power generation system where structures rotate, integrating the Internet of Things (IoT). Through internally developed algorithms, the structure tracks the sun's movement path based on latitude and longitude, enhancing power generation in water-based and desert regions. The advantages of Haedori water-based solar, including structural stability, buoyancy, UV resistance, prevention of algae and evaporation, are additional benefits.
The CEO explained, 'Through continuous research and development, we are strengthening competitiveness and product viability, surpassing 20 related patents.'
Such efforts are expected to yield results in the global market. With increasing attention as a solution to energy infrastructure expansion in Southeast Asia and addressing drought and energy issues south of the Sahara, there is an expanding potential for commercialization.
The CEO stated, "Regionally, there are currently over 15 projects exceeding 50GW on the table, including bidding proposals from regions such as Nigeria in Africa, Malaysia and Bangladesh in Southeast Asia, and Saudi Arabia and Dubai in the Middle East, as well as the United Kingdom and the United States." He added, "We plan to strengthen our financing capability through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for developing countries and large funds from the United States and Singapore.
Furthermore, the CEO stated, "Our next business goal is to procure domestically the power produced overseas by converting it into clean hydrogen in the long term." He continued, "Based on the business performance in 2026, we will pursue listing to reaffirm the excellence of our technology.
Source: Electric Newspaper (https://www.electimes.com) Reporter Kim Jin-hoo 2024.03.05 10:03
