LG Electronics ESS Technology
Combined with LG Energy Solution Battery
Replacing 15% of Japan's Consumption
LG Electronics Changwon LG Smart Park Peak Reduction Energy Storage System (ESS). (Photo by LG Electronics)
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] LG Electronics is building a large-scale energy storage system (ESS) at Changwon LG Smart Park that can save about 77.4 billion KRW in electricity costs over 15 years and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
LG Electronics announced that it held a completion ceremony for the peak reduction ESS on the 27th at LG Smart Park in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, together with Korea East-West Power. The event was attended by Ryu Jae-cheol, President of LG Electronics H&A (Home Appliance & Air Solution) Business Division, and Kim Young-moon, President of East-West Power, among others.
The system operates on the principle of storing electricity in batteries overnight and discharging it during the day. Electricity usage is low and electricity rates are cheaper at night. The daytime peak hours are when the most electricity is used during the day. By storing electricity at night and discharging it during the day, factory electricity costs can be saved.
The ESS will be operated by experts from East-West Power. It is expected to save about 77.4 billion KRW in electricity costs over the next 15 years. This project is part of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management that contributes to reducing greenhouse gases by lowering peak power on the national power grid.
The battery capacity of the peak reduction ESS reaches 163 MWh (megawatt-hours). The power conversion system (PCS) capacity is 44 MW (megawatts). This capacity replaces about 15% of the total average daily power consumption of LG Smart Park. It is equivalent to the daily power consumption of about 14,000 households based on a four-person family.
LG Electronics has core ESS technologies including PCS, power management system (PMS), and batteries. Based on this, it provides total ESS solutions including products, design, and construction. The ESS built this time is equipped with LG Electronics PCS and PMS, and LG Energy Solution batteries. LG Electronics provides a three-year free warranty for all ESS components including batteries.
LG Electronics announced that it is leading the market with remarkable ESS order achievements. In 2015, it secured the frequency regulation ESS for Korea Electric Power Corporation’s Singyerong Substation; in 2017, the renewable-linked ESS for Gyeongju Wind Power; and in 2018, the peak reduction ESS for POSCO Changwon Plant. Last year, it built the largest domestic ESS of 340 MWh at Anjwa Smart Farm & Solar City and the largest domestic peak reduction ESS of 174.7 MWh at KG Dongbu Steel Dangjin Plant.
LG Smart Park is also improving energy efficiency and switching to renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, LG Electronics partnered with GS EPS to complete the first phase of a solar power plant on the rooftop of LG Smart Park buildings and started operation. By 2025, about 10,000 solar panels will be installed. It is expected to replace more than 10% of the building’s electricity usage with solar power generation.
President Ryu said, "LG Smart Park is a factory equipped with differentiated product manufacturing technology leading the industry and various eco-friendly solutions. We will leverage this to further strengthen our global home appliance business competitiveness."
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