'Customized for Renewable Energy' Ultra-High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Equipment Certification to Be Obtained Domestically

Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony in Changwon, Gyeongnam on the 24th Morning

Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Test Certification Facility.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] A mega-scale power equipment testing infrastructure that will lead the era of next-generation power transmission technology, 'High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC),' is being established.

The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) will hold the 'HVDC International Accredited Testing and Certification Infrastructure Construction Project Groundbreaking Ceremony' on the 24th at its headquarters in Changwon, Gyeongnam. HVDC is a technology that converts large-capacity power generated at power plants into high-voltage direct current and transmits it over long distances. Compared to alternating current (AC), direct current transmission has significantly lower line losses in both underground and overhead long-distance power supply processes, maximizing energy efficiency. Since it does not require consideration of phase and frequency, power transmission between countries or different grids is easier. It is also a technology specialized for transmitting power generated by renewable energy sources such as offshore wind power. The government plans to expand the HVDC power grid in the 8th and 9th Basic Plans for Electricity Supply and Demand, investing approximately 17 trillion KRW in 11 projects by 2025.

Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute 'HVDC International Accredited Test Infrastructure' Bird's-eye View

HVDC, which requires transmitting very high voltage over long distances, demands extremely high reliability and safety for related power equipment facilities. However, until now, South Korea has lacked specialized testing infrastructure to verify the performance of HVDC power equipment, forcing domestic companies to seek overseas testing facilities. This has caused many problems such as economic burdens, delivery delays, and leakage of core design technologies abroad.

In response, the government, local governments, and KERI are investing 18.5 billion KRW to build the 'HVDC Power Equipment International Accredited Testing Infrastructure' at KERI's Changwon headquarters. The project covers a site area of 18,622㎡ and a building area of 1,540㎡, with completion targeted for the second half of 2022.

▲Conceptual diagram of direct current transmission. [Provided by Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute]

KERI expects that once this testing infrastructure is completed, it will significantly contribute to swiftly supporting domestic power equipment companies' product development, enhancing their technological capabilities, and strengthening export competitiveness. It is anticipated that the average product development period for companies will be shortened by 3.9 months, overseas testing costs will be reduced by 1.5 billion KRW annually, ancillary costs (transportation, accommodation, etc.) will be cut by 100 million KRW, and work efficiency will increase by as much as 45.3%. Additionally, about 2,400 engineers from home and abroad visit Changwon, Gyeongnam annually, generating more than 1 billion KRW in regional economic consumption effects each year. Over the next 30 years of infrastructure operation, the comprehensive effects are expected to include an economic ripple effect of approximately 157.9 billion KRW and employment inducement of about 1,000 jobs.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.