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A Hyosung Heavy Industries employee introduces the company's HVDC technology to clients. / Hyosung Heavy Industries

Hyosung Heavy Industries is participating in Korea Electric Power Corporation's (KEPCO) high-capacity, voltage-source converter (VSC) high-voltage direct current (HVDC) localization project. The company will spearhead the domestic manufacturing and field demonstration of valves and controllers—core HVDC equipment that has historically seen heavy reliance on foreign suppliers—to support the buildup of large-scale domestic power grids.

On the 17th, Hyosung Heavy Industries announced that it was officially selected on the 10th as a participating partner in the valve and controller segment of the high-capacity VSC HVDC localization and demonstration project led by KEPCO.

VSC HVDC is a power transmission method that converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) for efficient long-distance transmission. Within this architecture, the converter valve leverages power semiconductors to convert between AC and DC, while the controller regulates power magnitude and direction, simultaneously protecting the grid in the event of system disturbances.

Currently, the market for core equipment in high-capacity VSC HVDC systems is dominated by a handful of global manufacturers. The South Korean government and KEPCO have been actively pursuing the localization of key components, such as valves, controllers, and converter transformers, to ensure the timely deployment of large-scale power grids and bolster supply chain resilience.

Hyosung Heavy Industries has been developing related technologies since 2012, beginning with a 20-megawatt VSC HVDC demonstration project on Jeju Island. Since then, it has accumulated domestic development and field demonstration experience by engineering 200-megawatt-class key equipment, including converter valves and control systems, and deploying them in operational power networks.

The company is also showcasing these technologies at the Korea Energy Show 2026, held at BEXCO in Busan from the 16th to the 18th. At the exhibition, Hyosung Heavy Industries is displaying its internally developed core equipment, including the HVDC valves and controllers to be utilized in KEPCO's demonstration initiative.

Other highlights on display include ARMOUR+, an AI-driven asset management platform for power equipment; low-power instrument transformers (LPIT) for digital substations; and static synchronous compensators (STATCOM) that stabilize grid voltage and optimize power quality.

In addition, the company is introducing technologies designed to meet mounting power demand and support the broader energy transition, such as power semiconductor-based solid-state transformers (SST) and hydrogen-fueled engine generators.

An official from Hyosung Heavy Industries said, "By sharpening the competitiveness of our core power technologies, we will provide solid backing for large-capacity domestic power grids, including the West Coast Energy Highway." The official added, "Moving beyond technological independence, we will continue expanding our footprint in the global HVDC market and strengthening our export foundation."

                                                                                                           Son Kang-hoon