Electrification Transforming Shipbuilding... The Key to Research Is Commercialization [K-Industry: Future Architects]

(3) Byunghoon Kwon, Head of the Electrification Center, Future Technology Research Institute, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries


Plans to Utilize SMRs Capable of 100MW Output

Leading International Standards Discussions for Regulatory Framework Establishment

Technology Without Substance Collapses Like a House of Cards

Need to Develop Practical Technologies with Commercial Viability

Editor's NoteThe landscape of the Korean industrial sector is changing rapidly. Amidst the turbulence of the global market, there are next-generation technology researchers and engineers who quietly design the future. They are the lifeblood of the Korean economy and the true key players who will support Korea in the years to come. The Asia Business Daily is launching an interview series titled "K-Industry: Future Designers" to highlight their innovative technological world and future vision. The third featured guest is Byunghoon Kwon, Head of the Electrification Center at the Future Technology Research Institute of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, who researches the flow of energy in ships, from shaft generators to electrification.

"We must conduct research not for the sake of research itself, but for commercialization."

Byunghoon Kwon, Head of the Electrification Center at the Future Technology Research Institute of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said in an interview with The Asia Business Daily on the 20th at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center located in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, "Research institutes operated by companies should develop practical technologies that can be immediately used by business departments." Kwon believes that technology development that is flashy on the surface but lacks substance can easily collapse like a house of cards. He emphasized, "With the motto of taking responsibility for the present and preparing for the future, the Electrification Center aims to become such a research institute." Kwon is an expert in electrification technology who has led the rotating machinery and drive business divisions at HD Hyundai Electric for over 20 years since 1996.

Electrification technology, simply put, refers to converting ships to operate on electricity-based systems rather than oil. It is a core solution that can simultaneously improve fuel efficiency and respond to emission regulations, thereby redefining the standards of competitiveness in the shipbuilding industry. Since it fundamentally changes the energy structure of ships, it is regarded as a next-generation growth driver that is directly linked to future order competition.

Byung-Hoon Kwon, Head of Electrification Center at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Future Technology Research Institute, is posing after an interview on the 20th at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center located in Pangyo, Gyeonggi-do. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

The transition to electric propulsion is already progressing rapidly, especially for small- and medium-sized vessels, while large commercial ships are drawing attention for their hybrid systems which combine shaft generators with high-capacity batteries. Kwon predicted, "The demand for electrification will continue to expand, considering the strengthening of decarbonization regulations, the need for high-performance warships to supply large-scale power, and the synergy with autonomous and unmanned ships."

Most recently, the center embarked on developing ship propulsion technology using nuclear power. The plan is to use a small modular reactor (SMR), capable of stably supplying 100MW-class output, as a ship power source. Kwon explained, "From a technical perspective, we unveiled a nuclear-powered container ship model for the first time at the 'Houston Maritime Nuclear Summit' held in Houston, U.S., in February last year," adding, "In September, we successfully obtained concept design approval for a 16,000 TEU class container ship electric propulsion system from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)."

He continued, "However, the establishment of an international regulatory framework must precede. To that end, in 2024, together with 11 institutions from 7 countries, including TerraPower, Westinghouse, and Lloyd's Register of the UK, we jointly established the world's first international private organization in the maritime nuclear field, the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization (NEMO), to lead discussions on international standards and regulations."

Electrification, which began with ship engines, is also expected to generate group-wide synergies. Kwon said, "HD Hyundai has a structure that integrates shipbuilding, engine machinery, and electrical systems within a single value chain," emphasizing, "From engine development to power distribution systems, power converters, propulsion motors and thrusters, and energy management systems, we can achieve integrated design and optimization across all areas. By offering integrated solutions that incorporate electric propulsion systems from the early stages of ship design, we can maximize the overall efficiency and performance of ships."

Byunghoon Kwon, Head of the Electrification Center at the Future Technology Research Institute of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said in an interview with The Asia Business Daily on the 20th, "It is important to start first without worrying too much about the outcome." HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

The accumulated electrification technology also allows for expansion into the offshore plant sector. Kwon highlighted, "Sectors where power infrastructure is essential, such as offshore substations, have a very high technological overlap with electrical systems for ships. I have direct experience promoting supply models in the form of packages that integrate drives and electric motors, and I believe that if the advanced technologies developed for ships are applied onshore, we can secure sufficient competitiveness." He added, "We are also focusing on the smart grid sector as an important area for expansion. Power systems linked to renewable energies such as solar and wind, as well as power infrastructure for data centers, are fields where power conversion technology and energy management capabilities are crucial, and our company's technology can be directly utilized in these areas."

The Electrification Center led by Kwon has consistently received top ratings in workplace satisfaction surveys conducted among researchers at the Future Technology Research Institute. Kwon said, "Do not be afraid of failure. Take on challenges and try anything." He continued, "Don't worry in advance before you even start; just give it a try and see if it works. It is important to start first without worrying too much about the outcome."

Kwon also mentioned that winning people's hearts is important from a work perspective. He cited his most memorable achievement at work as the collaboration between HD Hyundai Electric and the Hungarian research institute. The HD Hyundai Electric Hungarian Research Institute was established in 1999 and has since operated as a major research and development hub in Europe.

Kwon said, "At that time, when establishing an overseas research institute, the general approach was to transfer core technology back to Korea and internalize it in a short period. However, we saw the Hungarian research institute not merely as a target for technology transfer, but as an independent pillar with its own research capability. We set the direction of operations from the perspective that the local research institute itself is the result of technology internalization, and based on this, we strived to build ongoing cooperation and trust."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.