A case study on the implementation environment of Korea’s energy-independent island projects

Efforts to build an energy-independent island (EII) have been made in island territories all over the world out of concerns for energy security and the environment. Likewise, EII projects on six islands have been proceeding in Korea since 2014. Korea’s EII projects are differentiated from those of other countries in that they have been implemented in a private investment-centric manner. However, it is said that the performance of EII projects over the past years has been inadequate. Hence, this study seeks to identify the problems of Korea’s EII projects and to suggest the directions for improvement. This study is primarily based on a literature review. We collected the literature from Science Direct, Google Scholar, and DBpia. In addition, this study draws on a number of other secondary sources. We have identified major challenges such as resolving business uncertainties, enhancing residents’ acceptance, and securing advanced microgrid technology. The most important issue for operators is the unit price of electricity per kWh because it is directly linked to profits, but until now it is not easy to accurately calculate it. Efforts to enhance the acceptance by local residents also needs to be pursued in a balanced manner. In order to ensure a stable supply of electricity through renewable energies, it is important to improve the technology for the microgrid system and to make distributed energy resources in the system be connected organically.