Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Group has cooperated with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, Ulsan City, and Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency to successfully build an ‘ICT Convergence Electric Propulsion Smart Ship’ equipped with an eco-friendly and high-performance electric propulsion solution (Hi-EPS).
The vessel has now been named at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan. The electric propulsion solution has been developed by Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. It is characterised by the application of low-carbon, high-efficiency technologies such as the Hiconis-Pems control system. The electric system was found, during sea trials, to reduce CO2 emissions during operation by 40% compared to conventional marine diesel engines and improve fuel efficiency by 6% through optimal engine control. In addition, the newly developed LNG DF engine has enhanced performance so that power generation output can be adjusted in 1/1000 second units, which is about 100 times faster than existing engines.
This solution selects three modes according to the operating environment and speed: Zero Emission, powered by the battery only, Normal Seagoing, powered by the engine, and Boosting, which uses both the engine and battery.
The ‘ICT Convergence Electric Propulsion Smart Ship’ is a 2,700t vessel capable of operating at a maximum ship speed of 16 knots. It plans to operate for equipment demonstration tests, education, and tourism purposes.
