LS Materials and LS ELECTRIC Co., Ltd. to jointly develop next-generation power grid stabilization technology

[Financial News] LS Materials Co., Ltd. (LS Materials) and LS ELECTRIC Co., Ltd. are embarking on the joint development of next-generation power grid stabilization technology to respond to the expansion of renewable energy and rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. The two companies plan to combine power conversion and grid control technologies with a high-capacity ultracapacitor (UC) system to secure technology that can respond rapidly to fluctuations in grid voltage and frequency, and to pursue entry into global markets.
LS Materials announced on the 9th that it had signed an MOU with LS ELECTRIC Co., Ltd. for the development and demonstration of E-STATCOM technology.
E-STATCOM is a system that combines the voltage stabilization function of a conventional static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) with the UC's rapid charging and discharging capabilities. It can respond quickly not only to fluctuations in voltage and frequency but also to sudden imbalances in power supply and demand.
As the deployment of renewable energy, including solar and wind power, has expanded and electricity consumption by AI data centers has surged, the importance of power grid stabilization technology has grown. Renewable energy generation varies with weather conditions, while AI data centers can consume large amounts of electricity and experience sharp fluctuations in load, making it necessary to secure technologies that ensure a stable power supply.
The two companies plan to jointly develop E-STATCOM by combining LS ELECTRIC's power conversion and grid control technologies with LS Materials' high-capacity UC system. They intend to verify its performance and reliability through demonstrations, and to localize the system and pursue entry into overseas markets.
In 2024, LS Materials developed 'LS Ultra Grid,' a megawatt (MW)-class rack-type UC system that can be used in E-STATCOM, for the first time in South Korea. The system can supply or absorb megawatt-class power in 0.1 seconds or less, making it suitable for stabilizing power grids for renewable energy and AI data centers.
LS ELECTRIC has built up experience in the field by carrying out STATCOM projects in South Korea with a combined capacity of 4.7 gigavars (Gvar). It also holds proprietary technologies, including patents related to optimized E-STATCOM design and operational control. In particular, it plans to incorporate into E-STATCOM its grid-forming control technology, which was the first of its kind in South Korea to be validated by U.S. UL.
[email protected] Lim Su-bin Reporter