POSCO Energy goes global with new turbine tech

POSCO Energy, the power generation specialist unit of POSCO Group, is hoping to expand its presence in the overseas market with indigenous technology.

In collaboration with HK Turbine, turbine maker POSCO Energy took part in the Power-Gen Asia industry show in Bangkok early this month, using the event to showcase the new disc-type steam turbine.

Power-Gen Asia is one of the largest electricity-related industry events held in Asia, attracting more than 7,500 industry officials from over 70 countries across the world.

According to the company, the disc-type steam turbine ― codeveloped with HK Turbine ― has a simpler structure than the conventional turbines built with blades, enabling the production cost to be cut by about 50 percent.
 

“The demand for steam turbines linked to biomass boilers is increasing in the region,” a company spokesman said, citing the reason for targeting the region.

“As Southeast Asia has many islands, and electricity infrastructure is weak, the region has a steady demand for small turbines used for small-scale power generation.”

The new design allows colder steam, between 100 and 200 degrees Celsius, to be used as the turbine is turned using steam released from the discs.

Conventional turbines require steam to be hotter and under higher pressure, said the spokesman.

By Suk Gee-hyun (monicasuk@heraldcorp.com)