Electricity IT implementation program to be fast-tracked To create a new growth engine through the fusion of electricity generation and communication through the application of PLC (Power Line Communication) technology, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy (MOCIE) has devised its "Electricity IT Propulsion Comprehensive Program". Korea Electricity Commission chairman, Moon-hwan Kim points out, "Through the application of PLC technology, the electricity power distribution system is emerging as the archetypal cheap and efficient network of the Ubiquitous era". In particular, the importance of electricity IT is being become more pivotal as it underpins the growth of the machinery and tools market. In 2002, in fact, growth in production of heavy electrical machinery and equipment stood at just 3.9% compared to the previous year, while output of electricity IT-related items grew by a whopping 23.6%. Accordingly, various efforts are under way in the advanced countries to cultivate their respective IT markets, Mr. Kim stresses. Furthermore, as the role of electricity IT increases in the interests of protecting the environment, given further impetus by the widespread global ratification of Kyoto Protocol on Feb. 16, interest in decentralized electricity systems such as new regeneration energy is growing. Do-Sung Na, director general of the Korea Electricity Commission within MOCIE adds that it is possible to achieve the optimal utilization of existing facilities rather than build new ones by virtue of the practical application of IT technology. Some examples of applied electricity IT are as follows. First, the Korea Power Exchange (KPX) has imported a Market Operating System (MOS) at a cost of 46.5 billion won (approx. $46 million) from a consortium formed by Swiss/Swedish company, ABB, national Korean power monopoly, KEPCO, and the Korea Electric Power Data Network (KDN). Second, the construction of an automatic Data Acquisition System (DAS) for the supply of electrical power has enabled a cost reduction of 800 billion won annually to be effected (approx. $720 million), plus a sharp reduction in repair time Moreover, with the application of Direct Load Control (DLC) technology, a cost-reduction impact of 57 billion won was attained in 200; by 2015, it is estimated that costs will be slashed by 600 billion won annually. Mr. Kim emphasizes that within each country there is a drive on to expand the application of electricity IT for the sake of strengthening industrial competitiveness as well as in the interests of building core infrastructure. Besides, the capability of electricity IT extends to improving the quality of service to the customer, enhancing industrial competitiveness, and buying and selling power in the electricity market, the chairman said. The development of electricity IT is expected to contribute to the core technology necessary to create a "ubiquitous environment", and facilitate further IT development. Moreover, with environmental and safety considerations at the top of the agenda, electricity IT will reduce social costs. Mr. Kim concludes that the employment creation effect of proactively fostering the electricity IT industry will be in the order of 3,000 jobs. He believes that this strategy, together with the application of PLC technology and promoting the home network market, will boost exports by $25 billion.