North Dakota, South Korea partner on energy research

(North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota and South Korea will work together on energy and carbon capture technologies.

North Dakota and South Korean officials signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday, the first day of a North Dakota trade mission to South Korea.

Joining Gov. Doug Burgum on the trade mission were Charles Gorecki, CEO of the Energy & Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota, Commerce Commissioner Josh Teigen and North Dakota Trade Office Executive Director Drew Combs.

They met with South Korea’s vice president and the president of the Korea Institute of Energy Research, the country’s only government-funded research institute, with a mission of leading the country to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Burgum has set a goal for North Dakota to be carbon neutral by 2030, in part through carbon capture, utilization and storage.

“North Dakota is a leader in energy innovation, and this partnership with Korea will enhance our competitiveness by advancing groundbreaking solutions in hydrogen, carbon capture and clean energy – helping us to continue building an all-of-the-approve energy supply network that combines fossil fuels and renewables,” Burgum said in a news release.

One of North Dakota’s largest manufacturers, Fargo-based Bobcat Co., is part of the South Korea-based Doosan Group. Burgum plans to meet later this week with Doosan Bobcat CEO and Vice Chairman Scott Park.