South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy said it would apply a newly developed thermoelectric power generation system onboard a new LNG carrier owned by Japan’s NYK.
SHI said in a statement it has developed the system with compatriot LG Innotek in a joined development project and signed a deal with NYK for actual ship application.
According to the shipbuilder, this is the world’s first thermoelectric generator module and system for ships and it plans to apply it on the propulsion of a 174,000-cbm NYK LNG carrier scheduled for delivery in December.
A thermoelectric power generation system is a device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy.
“By attaching it to the surface of heat generating equipment such as ship propulsion engines and generators to produce electricity, it is possible to reduce fuel costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions,” SHI said.
In addition, these systems do not generate noise and harmful emissions, and there are no mechanical devices such as rotating bodies, so maintenance costs are low, according to SHI.
Earlier this year, the duo succeeded in developing a thermoelectric power module and system using a nano-structured polycrystalline material that is resistant to vibration and has improved power generation performance.
In April, the duo completed the HSD engine and actual product performance tests, while in May SHI won the New Excellent Technology (NET) certification from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy along with domestic and foreign patent technology applications, it said.