At Hall B of COEX in Samsung-dong, Seoul on the 28th, visitors were greeted by a silver-colored small modular reactor (SMR) model that towered over human height upon entering the entrance. Beyond the model, which replicated internal piping and key equipment, offshore wind turbines stretched their white wings toward the exhibition hall ceiling.
At "Smart Energy Plus (SEP) 2026," which opened on the day, companies responding to increased power demand in the AI (artificial intelligence) era and energy transition presented technologies and solutions. From wind and nuclear power generation, ultra-high voltage power equipment, to heat pumps, electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cell trams, technologies for generating, transmitting, and using electricity were gathered in one place, showcasing the future of the energy industry.
At the Doosan Enerbility booth, a Newscale Power SMR model and a rendering of a dedicated factory caught the eye. The phrase "World's first SMR-dedicated manufacturing facility" was prominently inscribed on the blue wall. Doosan Enerbility is pushing forward with an SMR-dedicated factory in Changwon, Gyeongnam Province, targeting completion in 2028. The company aims to leap into a global SMR manufacturing hub based on its experience in manufacturing main equipment for large-scale nuclear power plants.
Alongside this, the company unveiled a power generation portfolio encompassing nuclear, gas turbines, and wind, including the Korean-type large-scale nuclear reactor APR1400, 380 MW-class gas turbines, and 10 MW-class offshore wind power turbines targeted at domestic low-wind-speed environments.
At the Unison booth as well, domestic offshore wind turbine technology greeted visitors. The company's self-developed 10 MW-class offshore wind turbine "U210" is designed to drive the generator directly without a gearbox, reducing the risk of failure. The diameter of the circle drawn by the rotating blades of the actual turbine reaches 210 meters. U210 began prototype demonstration and power generation in August last month and aims to obtain type certification according to international standards in the first quarter of next year.
Technology for efficiently transmitting generated electricity could be found at the HD Hyundai Electric booth. The representative product is a 420 kV-class sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)-free gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). The company introduced it as the first in Korea and the third in the world to be developed, emphasizing its ultra-high voltage power equipment technology capabilities.
The core of the distribution field was direct current (DC). This is because technologies to reduce losses from repeatedly converting between alternating and direct current have become important as DC-based facilities such as data centers, solar power, and energy storage systems (ESS) expand. HD Hyundai Electric showcased a range of DC distribution products, from circuit breakers that cut off abnormal currents to overvoltage protection devices and digital power meters. In the ESS field, the company highlighted its design, construction, and grid interconnection capabilities through its Sinan project in South Jeolla Province.
Changes in how electricity is used could be observed at the LG Electronics booth. The heat pump boiler "LG Therma V" draws heat from the air using electricity to supply cooling, heating, and hot water. As a technology replacing boilers that directly burn fossil fuels, it can supply approximately 4 to 5 times more thermal energy relative to input power. Oh Yoon-seok (23), a university student examining the product, said, "It was impressive both technically and environmentally that it can supply cooling, heating, and even hot water by utilizing heat energy in the air without directly using fossil fuels."
At the Hyundai Rotem booth, visitors could experience the passenger cabin and driver's seat of a hydrogen fuel cell tram using virtual reality (VR) equipment. The tram, which combines a hydrogen fuel cell with batteries, generates power within the vehicle, allowing it to operate without overhead power lines. An advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) for rail vehicles that detects obstacles ahead using LiDAR and cameras was also introduced. This technology uses AI to distinguish between people and structures, assesses the possibility of pedestrians entering the tracks, and alerts the driver to danger.
The space where finished vehicle booths were gathered resembled a "Green Mobility Show." The Mercedes-Benz Electric G-Class caught the eye with its angular exterior characteristic of the "G-Wagen" maintained while switching its power source to electricity. Visitors' footsteps did not cease as they sought out the latest electric vehicle models, including the Benz D All New Electric CLA (Benz), the New BMW iX3, the Porsche Taycan GTS (electric sports car), and the Polestar 4 Coupe. The Buick (GM) new PHEV (plug-in hybrid) Electra E7 also received intense attention.
Kia exhibited the PV5, a purpose-built vehicle (PBV) that can be utilized for various purposes such as passenger transport and logistics, while Hyundai Motor exhibited the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle D All New Nexo. Visitors directly opened the doors and sat in the driver's seats and rear seats to compare the features of each vehicle, and students put their bags down next to the vehicles, eagerly grabbing the steering wheels or taking commemorative photos with one another.
No less than the automobile booths, the quadruped robot "Spot" caught visitors' eyes. Spot, developed by Boston Dynamics, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, added vitality to the exhibition hall with its more lively movements. The demonstration of freely moving its four legs became another attraction distinct from the experience of boarding and viewing the exhibited vehicles. With robots joining electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell trams, the exhibition hall was set up as a stage for experiencing future mobility technology up close.
This event, hosted by the National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum and co-hosted by Money Today and COEX, will be held at COEX Hall B until the 30th.
in INDUSTRY
