GE Vernova mentioned it has been chosen by its three way partnership, KAPES, by Korea Electrical Energy Corp. (KEPCO) to ship its superior high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) system, primarily based on line commutated converter (LCC) expertise, for the 500-kV Donghaean #2 to Dong-Seoul HVDC converter station undertaking (EP2). This undertaking, half of a bigger 4-GW HVDC transmission hyperlink, is deliberate to attach South Korea’s energy era complicated on the east coast to the Seoul metropolitan space and is meant to be the biggest energy grid infrastructure initiative within the nation’s historical past.
The EP2 undertaking enhances the EP1 undertaking, which can also be being executed by GE Vernova by KAPES. Collectively, EP1 and EP2 initiatives are designed to offer a steady and dependable energy provide to the Seoul metropolitan space, which accounts for roughly 40% of South Korea’s vitality demand. Each initiatives are anticipated to profit from GE Vernova’s superior HVDC expertise, designed for environment friendly long-distance energy transmission and enhancing grid resilience to satisfy rising vitality wants.
GE Vernova’s scope for the EP2 undertaking consists of the engineering and supply of HVDC valves and management programs primarily based on LCC expertise, important for the steady transmission of large-scale energy. The undertaking underscores the rising demand for expertise from GE Vernova’s Electrification phase, which continues to develop quickly.
KEPCO’s Imaginative and prescient for a Sustainable Power Future
KEPCO is prioritizing superior HVDC expertise as a important enabler of South Korea’s vitality transition. The EP2 undertaking is designed to offer environment friendly and steady energy transmission to key industrial areas whereas laying the groundwork for a sustainable and resilient vitality community.
Yu-won Kang, CEO of KAPES, mentioned, “The EP2 undertaking reinforces KAPES’ place because the main HVDC supplier in Korea in collaboration with GE Vernova, additional demonstrating its confirmed technological experience and undertaking administration capabilities. KAPES is proud to assist KEPCO in Korea’s vitality transition and play a pivotal position in stabilizing the nation’s energy grid.”
“Our Electrification phase is the fastest-growing a part of GE Vernova, with vital progress forward,” mentioned Johan Bindele, enterprise chief at GE Vernova’s Electrification Programs. “We’re dedicated to delivering progressive options that electrify the world whereas decarbonizing it, as electrification turns into important for enabling a sustainable and resilient vitality future in Asia and past. We’re pleased with our 26-year relationship with KEPCO, our continued collaboration displays our shared dedication to offering superior options that deal with the evolving wants of energy infrastructure.”
“Initiatives like EP2 are pivotal in enabling South Korea’s vitality transition,” mentioned Shailesh Mishra, regional chief of Grid Programs Integration in Asia Pacific at GE Vernova. “By deploying superior HVDC expertise, we’re not solely enhancing the effectivity and reliability of the nation’s grid but in addition laying the inspiration for larger integration of renewable vitality. Collaborating with KEPCO by KAPES permits us to ship transformative options that align with South Korea’s imaginative and prescient for a sustainable vitality future.
KAPES: Strengthening South Korea’s Energy Grid
KAPES, a three way partnership between KEPCO and GE Vernova established in 2012, has been instrumental in delivering varied vital initiatives that deal with South Korea’s distinctive vitality wants. Along with EP1 and EP2, key initiatives embrace the Buk-Dangjin-Godeok HVDC Connection, a 3-GW transmission hyperlink supplying energy from the Dangjin energy plant to Seoul and its surrounding areas, and the Shin-Bupyeong HVDC Hyperlink, a 500-MW back-to-back voltage sourced converter (VSC) system in Incheon designed to alleviate grid overloads. These initiatives collectively underscore KAPES’ position in strengthening South Korea’s energy grid and advancing its vitality infrastructure.
The Position of HVDC in Korea’s Power Transition
HVDC expertise is crucial within the world shift towards sustainable vitality programs because it helps environment friendly and dependable energy transmission over lengthy distances. HVDC programs primarily based on LCC expertise use thyristor-based energy semiconductors to switch giant quantities of energy—as much as 8 GW—with low vitality losses. These programs’ skill to deal with bulk energy transmission whereas offering built-in safety towards faults makes them preferrred for strengthening South Korea’s energy grid and supporting the mixing of renewable vitality.
In South Korea, HVDC goals for enhanced effectivity and stability in transmitting energy over lengthy distances, supporting bi-directional vitality circulate and facilitating renewable vitality integration. EP2 is meant to offer a dependable hyperlink between the East Coast’s energy era amenities and the high-demand metropolitan space, together with semiconductor manufacturing hubs in Yongin, Incheon, and Pyeongtaek.
—POWER edited this content material, which was contributed by the exterior communications group of GE Vernova’s Electrification Programs enterprise.
