MOU signed Monday at LS Tower in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province

Grid-forming technology autonomously generates voltage and frequency in power networks

Aims to reduce distribution grid volatility and support stable system operation

Technology still in early commercialization stage worldwide

Domestic demonstration to precede joint export push

'Securing optimized technology for distributed energy environment'

LS Electric and Korea Electric Power Corp. signed an MOU for cooperation on distribution-level power electronics technology at LS Tower in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, on Monday. Pictured are Seo Jang-cheol, chief technology officer of LS Electric's power division (right), and Kim Dae-han, president of KEPCO's Power Research Institute, at the signing ceremony. [LS Electric]
LS Electric and Korea Electric Power Corp. signed an MOU for cooperation on distribution-level power electronics technology at LS Tower in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, on Monday. Pictured are Seo Jang-cheol, chief technology officer of LS Electric's power division (right), and Kim Dae-han, president of KEPCO's Power Research Institute, at the signing ceremony. [LS Electric]

LS Electric announced Tuesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Electric Power Corp. for cooperation on distribution-level power electronics technology at LS Tower in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, on Monday.

The agreement aims to jointly develop "grid-forming" technology for distribution networks — an increasingly critical capability as the expansion of renewable energy raises new challenges for grid stability. The signing ceremony was attended by Seo Jang-cheol, chief technology officer of LS Electric's power division, and Kim Dae-han, president of KEPCO's Power Research Institute.

Under the MOU, the two companies will pursue joint research, development and demonstration across distribution-level power electronics technology.

Their first priority is a joint research effort on grid-forming technology for distribution network support — a field still in the early stages of commercialization worldwide. The companies plan to conduct domestic demonstration before pursuing joint commercialization for overseas exports.

Grid-forming technology enables a power network to autonomously generate its own voltage and frequency.

Unlike conventional grid-following systems — in which inverter-based distributed power sources such as ESS simply track the voltage and frequency of the existing grid — grid-forming technology can reduce distribution grid volatility and support more stable system operation.

The two companies will also conduct parallel research on next-generation intelligent transformers, or smart transformers, which combine digital communications to monitor and control grid conditions in real time. They will also work on "black start" microgrid technology that rapidly restores the grid using its own emergency power supply in the event of a large-scale outage.

"By combining LS Electric's power equipment and power conversion solutions with KEPCO's Power Research Institute expertise in distribution system research, we will secure distribution grid technology optimized for a distributed energy environment and gain a first-mover advantage in the global market to strengthen our competitiveness in power technology exports," an LS Electric official said.


keg@heraldcorp.com