Online, 24 February 2021Enhancing professional capacity through knowledge exchange is one of the key programs in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) cooperation between ASEAN Member States (AMS) and +3 countries (China, Japan, South Korea). Such a program could bridge the knowledge gap and increase cooperation between the two sides to accelerate the energy intensity and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction in the region. This necessity becomes a foundation for the Capacity Building Workshop Under the ASEAN+3 Mitigation Cooperation. Jointly held by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Korean Energy Agency (KEA), the workshop was participated by representatives from AMS and KEA.

Moderated by Mr. Rizky Aditya Putra, APAEC Senior Officer of ACE, the workshop began with opening remarks from Mr. Kyungsoon Park, Director General, Global Project Division, KEA, and Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ACE. In the welcoming speech, Mr. Park praised the last ten years of excellent cooperation between KEA and ACE in developing sustainable energy in ASEAN for the future. He also said the workshop would introduce energy efficiency (EE) improvement in industry and building, including an activation policy for the electric vehicle (EV). Bringing similar theme, Dr. Utama stated that knowledge sharing initiative hopefully would contribute to the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025, where ASEAN pursue the more ambitious target of 32% of energy intensity reduction by 2025 with expanded EE&C areas, such as transport and industry sectors.

After the welcoming remarks, the event continued with the overview of the APAEC Phase II and ASEAN+3 mitigation programme presented by Mr. Christopher G. Zamora, Senior Manager of the APAEC Department of ACE. The presentation shared key updates from the APAEC Phase II: 2021-2025, which served as a blueprint for AMS engagement with dialogue partners and international organisations. Mr. Zamora also shared five topics of the workshop: (1) EE Program in Industrial Sector in South Korea (2) Introduction of Mandatory Energy Audit (3) Current Status of Building Energy Management System (BEMS) and Its Applications in South Korea (4) Power Monitoring System Installation, and (5) the Global EV Current Status and EV Policies in South Korea.

The workshop then moved to the next session which was video presentations from KEA covering five workshop topics, followed subsequently by commentary from Ms. Dynta Trishana Munardy, Business Development Officer of ACE, and Mr. Alfred Christopher Gurning, APAEC Secretariat Officer of ACE. The first presented topic was about the EE program in the industrial sector in South Korea. The presentation focused on the four main topics based on the South Korean energy consumption overview, the scope of KEA programs, and the EE program in the industrial sector in South Korea. After the first presentation, Ms. Munardy commented that AMS could learn how South Korea established the EE regulations framework and decisive measures for its massive industrial sector.

The second presentation was about introducing a mandatory energy audit system in South Korea, its benefits, types of energy audits provided by the KEA, and the curriculum for training energy audit and management experts. In his comment, Mr. Gurning stated that mandatory energy audit, with its ability to discover the loss of energy and improve productivity and efficiency, could maximise productivity, lower cost, and guide the industry sector towards a low carbon economy.

Before the questions and answers session, KEA provided the third presentation with the topic of the current status of BEMS and its application in Korea. After the presentation, Ms. Munardy shared her view on the matters that BEMS was one of the opportunities ASEAN could look forward to, especially with the APAEC Phase II directive to prioritise EE in the building sector. After the first three presentations and comments, the workshop provided questions and answer sessions. The questions were mainly related to the South Korean green credit system for reducing GHG by 2030, answered by the KEA delegation.

After the coffee break, the workshop continued with the fourth presentation by the KEA focusing on the power monitoring system installations. The KEA shared some of the technical equipment and software used for the monitoring system. Mr. Gurning then mentioned in his commentary that the information shared was very beneficial, especially for electrical engineers in ASEAN, and the importance of monitoring power facilities to avoid disturbances. Later the fifth and last presentation from the KEA was about the current global EV status and EV policies in South Korea. Ms. Munardy then stated that pressured Internal Combustion Engine vehicles and the rise of EV causes were triggered by the urgency of sustainable development and awareness among the customer. She also mentioned that awareness, comprehensive policies, and developing infrastructure are key points to the success of EV implementation.

Before the closing remarks, Mr. Putra stated in the conclusions that most AMS currently enhance capabilities and capacity in energy management systems, EE for industrial and transport sectors. Initiatives such as this workshop are very beneficial for the AMS and should be held more often to understand EE&C issues and solutions to further accelerate the energy intensity and GHG reduction. Delegates from all AMS also shared the statement and expectations for further cooperation. The workshop finally ended with the closing statement from Mr. Park where he mentioned his hope for these workshops to be an opportunity for ASEAN and KEA to collaborate more to overcome climate change with active communications.

(BA)

Pic by Unsplash.