Where Heritage Became a Narrative for Energy Transition

At the center of the CES 2026 exhibition floor, the Korea Pavilion drew attention before any technology was explained. What stood out first was its form. Korea Electric Power Corporation, KEPCO, presented a large scale pavilion inspired by the Geobukseon, the historic Korean turtle ship, reimagined as a futuristic energy platform. KEPCO named the installation the “Future Electric Turtle Ship,” positioning a symbol of past innovation as a vessel for navigating today’s climate and energy transition challenges.

The exterior alone was striking enough to become a visual landmark, but the experience truly began inside. Visitors entered a 360 degree immersive LED theater shaped like the interior of the turtle ship and embarked on a five minute narrative journey. The story followed the revival of the turtle ship after 434 years, traveling across the globe and confronting climate change and energy crises through next generation power technologies. Rather than leading with technical specifications, KEPCO chose to lead with storytelling, and the result was clear. Scheduled screenings ran continuously throughout the day, often accompanied by long waiting lines.

A National Pavilion Built Around Story, Not Just Technology

Inside the pavilion, KEPCO presented nine core future energy technologies spanning the entire power value chain, from generation to transmission and distribution, and finally to consumption. These included next generation perovskite solar cells, intelligent digital power plants, AI based distribution network management systems, superconducting transmission, advanced metering infrastructure, and power safety monitoring solutions designed for single person households.

Equally notable was how the information was delivered. Content was layered across multiple levels, from high level infographics to interactive kiosks and QR code based deep dive materials. This allowed visitors to engage at their own pace and depth, whether they were casual observers or industry professionals.

Cultural context played a key role as well. KEPCO collaborated with the National Museum of Korea to exhibit historical artifacts related to the turtle ship, while blending K pop inspired visuals with explanations of modern power technologies. The result was a pavilion that felt less like a corporate booth and more like a national showcase. KEPCO described the project as representing Korea as a whole, not just a single company, a claim that resonated as international visitors paused to experience both Korean culture and technology in one space.

Image source: Daily Korea, courtesy of KEPCO

↑ 이미지 출처: 데일리한국 (한국전력공사 제공)

Recognition and Results on a Global Stage

The impact extended beyond design and engagement. KEPCO achieved a milestone at CES 2026 by becoming the first power utility in the world to win five CES Innovation Awards in a single year. Awarded technologies included substation predictive diagnostics, hybrid energy storage systems, transformer bushing monitoring, AI based equipment diagnostics, and distributed energy security devices. Together, these recognitions reinforced KEPCO’s position as a global energy solutions provider rather than a traditional utility.

International media responded accordingly. WalkintoKorea highlighted the pavilion’s balance between tradition and advanced technology, while the turtle ship structure quickly became one of the most photographed spots on the show floor. Event Marketer cited the KEPCO Pavilion as a benchmark example of a theater style national exhibition executed at scale.

Why This Pavilion Mattered

What made the KEPCO pavilion stand out was not the volume of technology on display, but the decision to foreground narrative and experience. Technology was present, but it was not the opening act. Explanation followed immersion, and innovation was framed within a broader national energy story.

By weaving together heritage and future vision, culture and infrastructure, public responsibility and technological ambition, KEPCO demonstrated how far a public sector exhibition can evolve. The pavilion showed that energy transition is not only a technical challenge, but also a story about identity, continuity, and collective direction. At CES 2026, KEPCO offered a compelling example of how a utility can communicate that story on a global stage.