FROM: WEC

[WEC News & Events]

GEEP Project Completes 1st Phase Construction

-Model project for the provision of water and electricity to off-grid regions in Mongolia
-Located in the vicinity of Ulaanbaatar; afforestation project utilizing solar and wind energy


On June 9 Daesung Group conducted an international seminar for the purpose of exploring ways in which to expand cooperation between South Korea and Mongolia in the realm of renewable energy in Ulaanbaatar.  This was followed the next day by a ceremony on June 10 celebrating the completion of the first phase of construction of the GEEP Project which uses a Daesung-developed hybrid solar and wind system to provide renewable energy solutions on a 3.3 million square meter site just outside the capital city.

The Korea-Mongolia International Seminar in June 9 was sponsored by Daesung Group (Younghoon David Kim, Chairman) and its main purpose was the exchange of the latest technical information on renewable energy.  Participants included Batbayar Chadraa, General Director of Energy Authority Mongolia and over 20 other experts in the fields of renewable energy and the environment from Mongolia.  The South Korean side was ably represented by over 25 specialists including Hyun Cho, Ambassador for Energy and Resources, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade who spoke on his involvement with IRENA, Joonhyun Lee, President, Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation, GEEP Project directors and representatives from the consortium that worked together to complete the first phase.  In addition, as GEEP has been designated a WEC Flagship Project, there was much interest and support from not only WEC headquarters in the person of Stephan Albrechtskirchinger, Director of Communications and Outreach, who delivered the keynote, but also from other regional MCs including India.

The next day featured a ceremony marking the completion of the GEEP Project. Mongolian energy experts and representatives of the construction consortium were invited to participate as well as the local Mongolian community for a total audience of approximately 50 persons.   The GEEP Project is expected to provide a successful solution to the serious issue of desertification faced by Mongolia.

Daesung Group's hybrid solar and wind system takes advantage of Mongolia's abundant sun during the day and the wind which blows in the evening to continuously produce energy.  This power is then used to pump groundwater, which will be used to support a nursery.  Trees and plants raised in the nursery will next be transplanted in an effort to help stop desertification.  The entire solution, from technical development to implementation as an anti-desertification measure, represents a unique effort on the part of Daesung Group.

*One of three reservoirs at the GEEP site.
The three reservoirs can hold a total of 3,500 tons of water.

The development of the hybrid sun and wind system began in 2003 as a joint project between the governments of South Korea and Mongolia.  Mongolia has a typical continental climate with strong winds and abundant sun, however since it lacks non-polluting energy sources and service for its significant off-grid population, the experimental implementation of renewable energy solutions seemed ideal.

Daesung Group's Daesung Institute for Clean Energy or DICE conducted on location tests of its hybrid system and was successful in producing a workable structure that was suitable for local conditions.  In 2005, the system now dubbed "SolaWin," was able to begin the production of electricity in the distant region of Naran.  This success led to an expanded effort resulting in the development of the GEEP (Green Eco Energy Park) Project in 2007.

The GEEP Project is situated on a 3.3 million square meter plot of land just outside of Ulaanbaatar.  Here the electricity produced by the hybrid system is utilized to pump groundwater.  In this demonstration project a green belt will be created which is expected to provide a solution for both desertification and energy poverty.

*June 10, GEEP Project completion marked the start of anti-desertification measures.

The GEEP Project, which started out as a joint research by South Korea and Mongolia represents a total investment of $ 2.1 million in investment on the party of the Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning in 2007.  Daesung Group formed a consortium that represented cooperation between the worlds of academia and industry specifically Hoseo University and BJpns, Junma Engineering, DACOWELL.

The water pumped through the hybrid system will be used to nurture trees and plants in an on-site nursery which will then be planted to help prevent desertification throughout Mongolia as well as to support the farming of appropriate crops.

Batbayar Chadraa General Director of Energy Authority Mongolia noted, "Currently the Mongolian government is actively working on the creation of green belts in areas facing desertification." He added, "Of note is the effort on the part of Daesung Group in the form of the GEEP Project.  Trees and other plants as well as groundwater are of prime importance in the prevention of desertification.  This project has a great deal of meaning and I look forward to the expansion of this project into a variety of locations in which desertification represents a major challenge.

The project has received excellent media attention.  Sarah Jane Wachter (International Herald Tribune) and a representative from the Xinhua News Agency (Ulaanbaatar Bureau) reported along with reporters from USB and SBN (Mongolian broadcasters).  After the Completion Ceremony was held, a Media Round Table was conveyed for the six reporters from Korean domestic newspapers and media who attended, and as a result GEEP received extensive coverage in South Korea.

*June 10 Tree planting ceremony in honor of the completion of the GEEP site in Nalaykh District.
(left to right) Hyun Cho, Ambassador for Energy and Resources, Joonhyun Lee, Presdient, Korea Institue of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, Younghoon David Kim, Chairman, Daesung Group, BAYAN DELGER Buduunii, Nalaykh District of the Capital Governor. Il Jung, Korean Ambassador to Mongolia