ELECS KOREA 2026: Pulsing Energy of Tomorrow

     At the ELECS KOREA 2026, the premier exhibition for the energy and power generation industry, the air was thick with the glow of innovative technologies and brilliant ideas. This year’s event was more than just a display of products; it provided a clear roadmap for how current technologies and future innovations will harmonize to sustain our modern world.

- Shift of Paradigm in Power Supply: High Voltage Direct Current

     For the past century, Alternating Current(AC) has been the global standard for power supply since it was easy to step up or down by transformers for long-distance power supply. In this context, AC can be compared to waves changing their direction in the shape of a sine wave. In contrast, Direct Current(DC) is like a river, flowing steadily in a single direction. While typically used for devices requiring stable power, such as smartphones and batteries, High Voltage Direct Current(HVDC) is now taking center stage. HVDC converts AC to DC for long-distance transmission and then back to AC for final delivery. By leveraging the fact that a “heavy river” loses far less energy than “fluctuating waves” over long distances, the government is currently realizing this through the “West Coast Energy Highway” project.

- Iljin Electric: Mastering Sustainability and Global Export

     Iljin Electric showcased environmentally friendly, high-performance products, killing two birds with one stone. Key highlights included power transformers using eco-friendly vegetable-based oil instead of traditional petroleum-based oil. Also, Gas Insulated Switchgear(GIS), which protects electronics from burning, was fitted with a gas that replaces SF6, which was a major greenhouse gas.

     The company also demonstrated its global reach by exporting “Hybrid Power Conditioning Systems” to regions in Nigeria that lack basic electrical infrastructure. Furthermore, their commitment to a circular economy was evident in their cable technology, where they replaced non-recyclable XLPE materials with Polypropylene(PP), simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions during production and ensuring recyclability.

- Enertech: Clearing “Vascular Waste” and Enhancing Resilience

     At Enertech, the focus was on making energy more efficient and safer. Its hybrid transformer, which acts both as a purifier and transformer, helps to use electricity more efficiently. “Harmonics” can be described as vascular waste, impurities that clog up a healthy bloodstream, wasting energy and causing heat. This might lead to a breakdown of the device, but Enertech’s hybrid transformer actively cleans out these harmonics, not only managing voltage. This aspect ensures that electricity flows smoothly and efficiently, much like keeping our blood clear for better health. A Another eye-catching feature was the seismic-resistant transformers designed to keep the lights on even during major earthquakes. This was enabled by their own “friction damper” technology, which was made with metal and ceramic composite.

- LS Cable & System: Total Solutions

     Evaluating as a world-class leader, LS Cable & System emphasized their “Turn- key” approach. They don’t just sell cables; they provide a total solution encompassing everything from design and installation to operation and maintenance. The mind-blowing capacity of a full service is backed by subsea scanning technology and specialized cable-laying vessels, which were a major draw for attendees.

-Closing

     At ELECS KOREA 2026, companies showcased technologies that go beyond efficiency, presenting innovations that prioritize the coexistence of humanity and the environment.

Kim Jung-su(ST Reporter)

jungsutudy2160@soongsil.ac.kr