HD Hyundai Develops World's First Ship Propulsion Drive with Electric Research Institute

Only a Few Countries Including the US and Germany Possess Related Technology
Research on Large-Capacity, High-Voltage Propulsion Drive Technology Based on Modular Multilevel Converter Power Circuit

HD Hyundai is partnering with the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) to develop the world's first new-concept electric propulsion drive for naval vessels.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries recently announced on the 11th that they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for joint development and research of a "Power Conversion Device for Ship Propulsion (hereinafter referred to as propulsion drive)" with KERI at KERI's headquarters in Changwon, Gyeongnam.

The propulsion drive is a device that stably controls the output of the electric motor that generates propulsion power in electric propulsion ships. Since only a few countries such as the United States and Germany possess related technology, foreign companies' products have been used until now.

HD Hyundai and KERI will jointly research, for the first time in the world for naval vessels, the core technologies necessary for developing a new-concept large-capacity, high-voltage propulsion drive based on a Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) power circuit.

The MMC power circuit-based propulsion drive is a next-generation technology specialized for large-capacity, high-voltage systems compared to existing propulsion drive technologies. It offers flexible power module configuration and drastically reduces equipment weight.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries along with officials from the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute recently signed a mutual cooperation agreement (MOU) for the joint development and research of ship propulsion drives at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute's Changwon headquarters and are taking a commemorative photo.
[Photo by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries]

At the end of last year, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries successfully completed the basic design of the Korean next-generation destroyer (KDDX) applying the world's largest capacity 25MW-class large-capacity, high-output integrated electric propulsion system. The integrated electric propulsion system unifies the ship's power generation and propulsion systems.

HD Hyundai plans to secure core related technologies such as "optimal circuit configuration for propulsion drive" and "submodule and motor control technology," which are essential for the integrated electric propulsion system, through joint research with KERI. These technologies can be applied not only to naval vessels but also to eco-friendly electric propulsion ships.

An official from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said, "Electrification is essential to improve naval operational performance and survivability," adding, "We will contribute to the successful completion of the KDDX project by developing the propulsion drive, a core component of the electric propulsion system."

Last year, HD Hyundai opened an Electrification Center at the Global R&D Center (GRC) in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, focusing on advanced electrification technologies and core component development in the shipbuilding, marine, and construction machinery sectors. They have succeeded in developing control technology for a 5MW-class modular power circuit-based propulsion drive and plan to hold a demonstration next month.