A system dynamics approach to the efficiency improvement of electric power industry in Korea: Focused on the nuclear industry

In this study, we tried to build a model which can deal with the efficient and effective operation of electric power industry, especially focused on the nuclear industry. Here, SD (System Dynamics) approach is used to visualize the underlying phenomenon of the nuclear power industry. SD is a methodology for studying and managing complex feedback systems, such as one finds in business and other social systems. The span of SD applications has grown extensively and now encompasses work in corporate planning and policy design, public management and policy, biological and medical modeling, energy and the environment. Recently, according to the report from KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation), they are considering delaying a new power plant construction. It may be based upon business fluctuation downsized from Korean economic crisis in 1997 and freezing of construction funds due to unstable foreign exchange rate. At this point, we need desperately a kind of strategic model that would contribute to cope with the current business situation, energy generation, production, and resulting pollution. Specifically, this model, using SD approach, starts with the detailed drawing of influence diagram, which describes those relevant key points on nuclear power generation systems in electric power industry of Korea. These include such factors as the operation of nuclear industry and parameters related to the decision making for business policy. Based upon the above-mentioned influence diagram drawn, we developed SD simulation model to evaluate and analyze strategic management of KEPCO. Based on our analysis, we could demonstrate how simulation model can be applied to the real electric power generation in Korea.