HD Hyundai Heavy, Develops 'LNG Cold Energy Utilization Heating and Cooling Air Conditioning System'

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, together with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Hi-Air Korea, has jointly developed the world's first 'LNG Cold Energy Utilization HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) System' and received the basic certification (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on the 7th at its Ulsan headquarters, where a commemorative photo was taken. Photo by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has developed an eco-friendly ship HVAC system that recycles wasted energy.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, in collaboration with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Hi-Air Korea, has jointly developed the world's first 'LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) Cold Energy Utilization HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) System' and obtained Approval in Principle from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on the 7th. The certification ceremony was attended by Ihwansik, Executive Director of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Sung Youngjae, Managing Director of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering; Kim Taehong, CEO of Hi-Air Korea; and Kim Sunghoon, ABS Korea Sales Representative.

The LNG cold energy utilization HVAC system developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and partners is a technology that harnesses the cold energy generated when LNG vaporizes on ships using LNG as fuel.

LNG is stored in fuel tanks at an ultra-low temperature of minus 162 degrees Celsius. To generate the electricity needed on the ship, LNG is vaporized and supplied to the generator engine. The cold energy, a type of thermal energy absorbed from the outside as LNG changes from liquid to gas, is utilized in the HVAC system.

Applying this technology reduces the electricity consumption required for heating and cooling, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions during ship operation and cutting operating costs.

The three companies, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and others, signed a joint development agreement in March this year and embarked on technology development. Through six months of research, development, and design improvements, they succeeded in developing a next-generation HVAC system that meets the demand for eco-friendly energy utilization.

With the recent acquisition of the Approval in Principle, the LNG cold energy utilization HVAC system has been recognized for its safety and technical reliability, and it can now be applied to various large vessels using LNG, the most widely used eco-friendly fuel.

A representative of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries stated, "We will continue to introduce eco-friendly ship solutions that benefit both customers and the environment, contribute to achieving carbon neutrality in the shipbuilding and shipping industries, and strengthen our competitiveness in the eco-friendly ship market."