HD Hyundai has announced that its subsidiary HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering has developed a Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) structure high-pressure propulsion drive product.
The development marks Korea’s first “high-pressure propulsion drive” for electric propulsion vessels, according to the company.
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Electric propulsion ships are increasingly in demand for their superior manoeuvrability and lower noise levels compared to traditional diesel engines.
The propulsion drive developed by HD Hyundai is claimed to help in controlling the electric motor’s output, impacting ship performance, power quality for high-power weapon systems, and overall survivability.
The onshore verification of this technology marks a step towards the localisation of electric propulsion ships in Korea.
The demonstration event was attended by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering CEO Kim Sung-joon, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Special Vessel Business Division Head Joo Won-ho, and HD Hyundai Electric CEO Kim Young-ki, alongside officials from organisations involved in ship electrification.
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By GlobalDataSeong-jun said: “The high-pressure propulsion drive product developed by HD Hyundai is a symbol of HD Hyundai’s shipboard electrification technology and we plan to spur commercialisation and lead the development of K-maritime defence’s global market with domestic technology.”
The project, initiated in 2022 with domestic experts from Seoul National University and Kyungpook National University, led to the creation of the MMC structure high-voltage propulsion drive in December 2024.
This product features large capacity, high voltage, flexible power module configuration, and reduced system volume and weight by more than 20%.
Previously, only two companies in Europe and the US had reportedly commercialised such high-pressure propulsion drives.
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering is now collaborating with various institutions, including the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Equipment Research Institute, to commercialise the MMC structure high-pressure propulsion drive by 2027.
In related news, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and the Korean Register have also signed an MoU to develop a very large ethane carrier (VLEC).
