The opening of 'SMART ENERGY PLUS (SEP) 2026', widely recognized as Daejeon's premier privately led energy and mobility technology event, is just one month away.
Co-organized by MoneyToday and COEX and hosted by the National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum, 'SEP 2026' will be held from October 28 to 30 at the B Hall of Seoul Samsung-dong COEX. SEP began in 2019 under the name 'Korea Hydrogen Expo'. It was renamed 'Green Business Week (GBW)' in 2022, and since last year has established itself as an event encompassing energy and mobility-related technologies under the 'SEP' brand.
The theme of 'SEP 2026' is 'Energy Daejeon in the AI (Artificial Intelligence) Era' and 'Energy Security Amid Rapidly Shifting International Geopolitics'. A key feature of this year's event is its expansion beyond private-sector energy business to include the military's next-generation energy policies and the realization of energy security. Participating companies have also decided to focus more on strategies for securing energy in the AI era.
Exhibitors will include companies such as LG, HD Hyundai Electric, Doosan Enerbility, and Unison, as well as booths from the Army, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Machinery Technology Research Institute, Korea Energy Technology Research Institute, Korea Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Korea Chemical Research Institute, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Korea Geological Survey, Korea Construction Technology Research Institute, KODIT (Korea Credit Guarantee Fund), and Korea Testing & Research Institute.
In the specially prepared Mobility Zone, visitors can experience the competitiveness of electric and hydrogen vehicles from Hyundai Motor, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Polestar. Hyundai Rotem will provide a space where attendees can experience hydrogen-electric trams through VR (virtual reality). Another special stage, the AI Data Center Zone, is scheduled to host information exchange and discussions among industry stakeholders.
An intensified conference compared to last year is a key highlight of this year's event. On the first day, October 28, in the afternoon, the Army will hold its 'Energy Policy Forum'. Hosted by the Chief of Staff for Logistics at Army Headquarters, approximately 200 participants from energy-related institutional investors, departments, research institutions, and defense companies are expected to attend. Topics on the agenda include the military's direction for energy transition to address climate crisis and carbon neutrality, as well as the direction for promoting the Army's next-generation energy policies.
Following this, high-level executives from leading domestic corporations will deliver presentations. On the second day, October 28, executives from Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor, POSCO Holdings, and LG Electronics will take the stage to explain how to navigate the rapidly changing energy environment of the AI era. Bright Energy Partners will emphasize the role of renewable energy in responding to all these changes.
On the morning of the third day, October 29, executives from LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On responsible for sales and strategy will take the podium. They are scheduled to explain market penetration strategies for K-batteries tailored to the AI era. In the afternoon, companies such as OCI Power, HD Hyundai Electric, and LS Cable & System will discuss the possibility of Korean power grid companies participating in the 'AI Gold Rush'.
Side events include the K-Space Forum on October 28, the K-Premier Deep Tech Festa on October 29, and the Startup King of Kings competition on the 30th. 'SEP 2026' is organized as a B2B (business-to-business) exhibition where buyer matching and substantive consultations are possible. It is expected to serve as a platform for exchange that promotes various cooperation opportunities in the domestic industrial sector, including technology alliances, product supply, and investment fundraising. Companies and institutional investors wishing to participate during the remaining period should contact MoneyToday or COEX.
in INDUSTRY
