Introduction

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Graduate Education in the Department of Energy Systems Engineering in Seoul National University cultivates global energy leaders to ensure the future energy security of Korea through improving the sustainability of fossil energy and nuclear energy.  Also, researches on the core technologies of fossil fuels and nuclear energy in the department will secure those foundation energy sources as a reliable and sustainable energy source.

We are responsible for training a global energy leader to lead the global technology development for the sustainability of public supply of energy, ensuring the core foundation technologies of sustainable energy, and leading to consolidation of national energy security. In addition, we are developing human resources to lead the global resource development paradigm and to enter into the world nuclear market.

Energy is an essential component for a comfort and convenience life of people and the national economy growth through industrial development. As a result of the sustained economic growth and the improved quality of life of the people over the last 30 years, Korea is currently spending 1750 billion dollars, which is almost one-third of the national total income, as the energy costs each year. Our national primary energy consists of fossil fuel energy including oil, coal, and gas for 85% and nuclear energy for 12%, therefore, fossil fuel and nuclear energy sources are in charge of 97% of national foundation energy. However, fossil energy is not recognized as a sustainable energy source because its price is unstable due to the global supply-demand imbalance and also it causes climate change problems due to the carbon dioxide generation. Additionally, nuclear fuel has also questioned about its sustainability due to the concerns about safety and the absence of proper disposal technology for spent nuclear energy sources.

Because global energy demand will be increasing due to the steady economic growth in China or India and the energy supply capacity of renewable energy will have a practical limit, the demand for fossil fuels and nuclear energy will continue. Thus, development for the foundation energy technology is definitely needed to improve the environment-friendliness, supply reliability, and safety in order to ensure their sustainability and development of the advanced human resource is also essential. Experts on the foundation energy technology will strengthen the national energy security, improve the quality of life of the people, and lead national wealth creation through the energy technology exports corresponding to the increased energy technology demand. And, finally, they will play a significantly important role in creating a bright future for our country.