Hyosung succeeded in independently developing a future power transmission technology ‘high-voltage direct current (HVDC).’ This technology is used to transmit electricity generated from ten offshore wind power generation units (2MW level) to the onshore area without any power loss. Application to offshore wind power facilities will be possible as early as in the New Year.
According to the industry on the 25th, Hyosung Heavy Industries has recently developed ‘20KV voltage-type single-phase HVDC’ to concurrently transmit power for up to 20MW. As the company has also secured HVDC controller technology, which is necessary for the finished product (3-phase), mass-production will be possible around next year. HVDC is a technology owned by leading companies abroad, such as Siemens, ABB, Alstom and Toshiba. In Korea, it has been localized for the first time. At the same time, Hyosung has obtained bidding qualification for the Southeast Asian region where voltage-type HVDC technology introduction is being promoted as of late and is currently waiting for the final assessment. Hyosung has climbed to a level where it can be engaged in technological competition with the global companies.
HVDC is a power transmission technology to change the high-voltage AC (alternating current) power generated in power plants to the high-efficiency DC (direct current) power using a transducer. Unlike the conventional AC transmission, DC power transmission produces only a small amount of power loss, and thus is advantageous in terms o f large-scale and long-distance transmission. In addition to prompt control, HVDC technology does not result in any reactive power generation, and thus is environmentally friendly. Moreover, it is evaluated as an optimal system for not only the international power system link, but also a link with new and renewable energy sources.
In particular, the voltage-type HVDC technology developed by Hyosung is capable of real-time bi-directional power transmission, automatic startup during power failure and installation area reduction unlike the ‘current-type HVDC’ technology, of which introduction was promoted last year jointly by KEPCO and Alstom of France. Hyosung plans to complete the voltage-type HVDC product development by 2015, and thus to embark on targeting domestic and overseas markets.
“Based on ‘STATCOM’ technology, which supplements voltage lost during power transmission and distribution, we have recently secured voltage-type single-phase HVDC technology and also controller technology necessary in the finished product development,” said a Hyosung source. “Application to offshore wind power plants will be possible as early as next year.”
In the global HVDC market, the operating capacity is forecast to increase from 100GW in 2012 to 560GW in 2020. Therefore the market scale alone is estimated to be KRW 75 trillion.
Park Tae-joon | gaius@etnews.com