Hyosung Heavy Industries, Joint Review of HVDC Localization with Industry and Academia... “Taking the Lead in Power Grid Sovereignty”

Hyosung Heavy Industries presented a blueprint for localizing high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology, a core component of the Korean government’s West Coast Energy Highway Project.

Hyosung Heavy Industries announced that it held a ‘HVDC Energy Highway Localization Progress Review Meeting’ at its Mapo headquarters, with attendees including officials from Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the Korea Electrical Manufacturers Association, and experts from key industries, academia, and research institutions.

The West Coast Energy Highway Project is a national backbone network project to stably transmit large-scale offshore wind power to the Seoul metropolitan area. The review meeting was held to closely examine the progress in localizing high-capacity voltage-type HVDC technology, which had been heavily dependent on overseas technologies, and to discuss future plans.

That day, Hyosung Heavy Industries gave a presentation on the progress in localizing HVDC technology including converter valves and control systems, which are key components of 2GW voltage-type HVDC systems. It is easier for voltage-type HVDC to control power. The system offers advantages in terms of system stabilization compared to conventional current-type HVDC systems, making it an essential technology for integrating renewable energy. Hyosung Heavy Industries previously supplied a voltage-type HVDC system—developed using Korea's first independently developed technology—to the Yangju Substation in 2024.

Following this, leading domestic HVDC experts delivered presentations on their respective areas of expertise. Professors from Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Kyungpook National University—who participated as part of the technology cooperation team—gave presentations on their research in various fields such as system optimization and power grid stabilization technologies. Afterward, Center Director Lee Jong-pil at KERI (Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute), who participated as an adviser, gave a presentation on the certification testing of converter valves, which is key equipment; thus raising expectations for the successful localization of HVDC technology.

In particular, the review meeting formed a consensus that the West Coast Energy Highway Project not only goes beyond the construction of a domestic power grid but also serves as a bridgehead for Korean HVDC technology’s entry into the global market. This is forecast to achieve technological independence as well as establish a domestic HVDC industry ecosystem encompassing equipment, systems, and engineering while strengthening export competitiveness.

“HVDC technology is at the heart of national energy security. Building a domestic ecosystem is essential to reduce dependence on foreign technology and secure sovereignty over the power grid,” said Seoul National University professor Choi Seong-hwi, who attended this event.

An official of Hyosung Heavy Industries said, “We are carrying out localization without any setbacks based on the power equipment and HVDC technology capabilities we have accumulated over the years.” He added, “We plan to successfully complete this project through close cooperation with relevant organizations, including the government and KEPCO and expand into the global market.”

Meanwhile, Hyosung Heavy Industries is investing a total of KRW 330 billion to establish a plant dedicated to HVDC transformers at its Changwon Plant. Once the plant is completed, Hyosung Heavy Industries is expected to establish itself as the ‘country’s only HVDC total solution provider’ capable of designing systems and producing key equipment—including converters, controllers, and transformers—using its proprietary technologies.