Hyosung Heavy Industries announced on Friday the successful development and IEEE standard certification of its new spring-operated 362-kilovolt gas circuit breaker.
Gas circuit breakers are critical safety components within power grids. They ensure stable operations by rapidly interrupting current during fault conditions, thereby preventing blackouts and protecting equipment from damage.
According to Hyosung, this 362kV breaker marks a first for Korea, utilizing a spring-operated mechanism in place of the traditional pneumatic system. The innovative design requires approximately one-fifth of the energy needed by air-pressure systems, resulting in reduced noise levels and increased reliability.
Furthermore, the breaker is engineered for complete assembly prior to transportation, eliminating the need for on-site assembly and decreasing installation time by over 80 percent, the company stated.
Even during the development phase, Hyosung reported securing preorders exceeding 100 billion won ($67 million) from clients in the US. This product is widely used in US substations, and demand is anticipated to rise further due to increased power grid investments spurred by the growth of AI data centers.
The company also supplies ultra-high-voltage transformers and breakers for 765kV transmission networks in the US, a market segment gaining significant traction. This new product is expected to bolster Hyosung’s strategy of providing a complete range of ultra-high-voltage power equipment solutions.
Last month, Hyosung finalized a supply agreement with a major US transmission operator valued at 787 billion won, representing the largest contract ever secured by a Korean power equipment manufacturer.
Hyosung has also invested a total of $300 million in its Memphis-based plant in the US to expand local production capabilities and strengthen its supply chain presence within the region.
BloombergNEF projects US power grid investments to reach $115 billion in 2025, with transmission sector investments – closely related to demand for ultra-high-voltage equipment – forecasted to grow at an average annual rate of 16 percent through 2027.
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