The Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) and the South Korean POSCO Power have officially joined forces. By signing a Memorandum of Understanding on 15 December, both parties have agreed on future collaboration in wind, solar and bio-energy.
The joint POSCO-ECN collaboration will focus mainly on the application of ECN’s extensive know-how and experience for the design and realization of POSCO’s first offshore wind farm in Korea and on the implementation of ECN technology for biomass torrefaction, co-firing and gasification. This will enable POSCO to increase the total share of renewable energy in their energy mix. Collaboration in the field of high-efficiency solar cells and modules is also planned for the future.
According to Mr Soung-Sik Cho, President and CEO of POSCO Power : “Joining forces with ECN which has been developing industry friendly green energy technologies will accelerate the efforts of POSCO POWER to realize it’s green energy business” . Robert Kleiburg, ECN’s R&D Director : “Thanks to the collaboration with POSCO Power, our expertise and technology will find their way to the market and energy production. We are convinced that we can provide POSCO Power with the knowledge and technologies they need for production of renewable energy more efficiently and at lower cost.”
About POSCO and ECN
POSCO POWER’s strategy includes enhancement of activities for energy reduction, development of innovative technologies for reducing carbon emissions and collaboration with domestic and foreign companies, like ECN, on green technology and climate. The company started in the energy business by building an LNG fuelled power plant in 1968. POSCO POWER aims to take pro-active actions towards the international environmental challenges and to procure the necessary resources. POSCO POWER’s ambition is to attain a stable, efficient, and eco-friendly energy supply with its energy business. ECN is the largest energy research institute in the Netherlands. It has a strong international position in the areas of solar energy, wind energy, policy studies and biomass & energy efficiency. With and for the market, ECN develops knowledge and technology that enable a transition to a sustainable energy system. ECN focuses its research on sustainable energy generation to develop safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly energy systems.
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Offshore WIND staff, December 20, 2011; Image: windpowerdc