U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Minister of Knowledge Economy Joong-Kyung Choi of the Republic of Korea have signed a new agreement establishing the U.S.-Korea Clean Energy Technology Partnership, which the agencies say will strengthen the nations' bilateral cooperation in clean energy technology research and development (R&D).
The agreement states that the two countries will cooperate on clean energy research in areas including renewable energy, smart grid technology, energy-storage systems, energy efficiency, green transportation, and carbon capture and storage.
Researchers from both countries will be able to exchange scientific and technical information, organize workshops, and consult with one another to promote joint R&D projects, among other forms of collaboration.
"The agreement will enable the United States and the Republic of Korea to expand our already strong bilateral cooperation on clean energy," Chu says. "By working together toward our shared clean energy goals, we can promote the kind of innovation that will help win the clean energy race and create jobs in both of our nations."
The U.S. and the Republic of Korea cooperate closely in many multilateral initiatives, including the Major Economies Forum, Clean Energy Ministerial, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the International Energy Agency, and through the Korea-led Global Green Growth Institute.
