Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction is accelerating the development of a follow-up model to “DGT6-300H” for LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) power generation. Its plan is to gain competitive edge in both the domestic and foreign markets that are dominated by foreign companies by working with hundreds of industries, universities, and research institutes and it is expected to replace coal thermal power generation with LNG power generation once it is completed with the development.
According to the industry on Tuesday, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction is focusing on the development of gas turbine named “DGT6-300H S2 (380 MW)” that is for LNG power generation. This gas turbine is the follow-up model to the company’s H series (270 MW).
The main goal of the development is to increase generation capacity of gas turbine. It is understood that 341 partners and around 20 universities and national research institutes are currently participating in the development.
Large-sized gas turbine for LNG power generation is a key equipment for LNG power plant. LNG power generation turns gas turbine by combusting LNG from the inside of gas turbine and turns steam turbine by boiling water with heat that is created from combustion. As a result, large-sized gas turbine for LNG power generation is an “eco-friendly energy” equipment that utilizes energy three times.
The reason why Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction is accelerating the development of large-sized gas turbine is to be independent on energy-related technologies. Out of around 100 large-sized gas turbines that are installed in South Korea, none of them are based on technologies of South Korean companies. Although there were times when Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction delivered large-sized gas turbines to combined cycle power plants in Yeongwol, Pocheon, Yangju, Sejong, and Hanam, all of them were manufactured and supplied after Doosan signed license contracts with foreign companies from Germany, Japan, and the U.S.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), the current level of Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction’s technologies in gas turbine is only at about 55% of that of foreign companies. This indicates that there is a technological gap between three to five years. However, it is expected that the level will be raised up to 95% by 2024 when Doosan will be completed with the development.
Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction is also working on upgrading other major equipment such as generator and it will be benefited greatly once it is completed with every development. The South Korean Government’s goal is to replace every coal-fired thermal power plant with LNG power plant by 2034 when it will be 30 years since the start of the operation of coal-fired thermal power plants.
“Our entire company is focused on the development of the follow-up gas turbine model.” said a spokesperson for Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction. “Once we are completed with developments, we will look to advance overseas after going through many tests.”
Staff Reporter Ryu, Taewoong | bigheroryu@etnews.com