LS Electric and Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation announced on the 16th that they have signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of smart net-zero city technology based on small modular reactors.

Under the agreement, the two companies plan to combine LS Electric's solutions related to power systems and distributed energy sources with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation's small modular reactor and smart net-zero city related technologies to continue cooperation in energy-related research and development, project collaboration, and technology exchange. The two companies especially expect to strengthen collaboration not only in the establishment of smart net-zero cities but also in the fields of AI data centers and power grid solutions linked with innovation-type small modular reactors.

Koo Ja-kyun (right), Chairman of LS Electric, and Hwang Joo-ho, President of Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation, are taking a commemorative photo after signing an MOU for SMR-based smart net zero city technology development. / Courtesy of LS Electric

Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation unveiled the innovation-type small modular reactor and smart net-zero city at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) last December, introducing them as solutions to resolve power grid crises.

LS Electric is enhancing its competitiveness in various projects related to AI data centers, energy storage systems, and microgrids utilizing small modular reactors and diverse renewable distributed energy sources. The company holds over 60% of the domestic commercial data center power infrastructure market share and can provide various solutions necessary for data centers through its affiliate LS Cable & System and its subsidiary LS Southa. Recently, it has been developing an 'AI data center one-stop solution' in collaboration with the global company Vertiv.

Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation President Hwang Joo-ho said, 'I hope to establish a sustainable strategic partnership to secure the global market for innovation-type small modular reactors with LS Electric.'

LS Electric CEO Koo Ja-kyun added, 'I expect that we can export the smart net-zero city platform that combines Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation's innovation-type small modular reactor and LS Electric's power system technology capabilities to the global market and further develop it into new K-Industry sectors such as batteries, electric vehicles, and semiconductors.'