Project expected to be completed by 2028
LS Group has partnered with Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO) to build the world's first superconducting power grid at a hyperscale data center in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
LS Cable and LS Electric have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KEPCO for the project.
The companies plan to deploy the superconducting power grid at the Gapyeong data center, which is expected to be completed by 2028. Under the terms of the MoU, KEPCO will oversee technical validation and regulatory coordination, while LS Cable will design and manufacture superconducting cables, and LS Electric will supply superconducting fault current limiters and other power equipment.
“This collaboration between three leading power industry companies on the world’s first superconducting power grid for data centers is a significant milestone,” LS Electric chairman Koo Ja-kyun said.
Superconducting power grids are emerging as a strategic solution to handle the growing electricity demand fueled by AI data centers. By utilizing materials with zero electrical resistance at specific temperatures, superconducting cables can carry significantly more power than traditional cables of the same size, with minimal energy loss.
These systems also offer space and cost efficiencies, enabling the replacement of large substations with compact units that are roughly one-tenth the size. Furthermore, superconducting fault current limiters can instantly block fault currents, reducing equipment damage and data loss while improving overall grid reliability.
To advance these technologies, the companies aim to expand cooperation in the development and demonstration of grid technologies and pursue initiatives to support the industry towards international expansion.
LS Group is a South Korean conglomerate involved across the electronics, electricity, materials, and energy sectors. It's composed of several companies, including LS Cable & System, LS Electric, LS Nikko Copper, and LS Mtron.
Earlier this month, LS Electric inked a deal with Naver Cloud to integrate artificial intelligence into its power systems and data center operations. In addition, late last year, the company signed an MoU with the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation to explore the development of AI data centers powered by SMR technology.
