LG Electronics is joining forces with Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) to spearhead the artificial intelligence (AI) transformation of the Sihwa Tidal Power Plant, the world’s largest tidal power facility. This strategic move aims to expand LG’s smart factory technology, honed in manufacturing, into the energy infrastructure sector.
On Thursday, LG Electronics announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with K-water for technological cooperation at the Sihwa Tidal Cultural Center in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. Key figures at the signing ceremony included Oh Bong-geun, head of K-water’s Renewable Energy Division, and Lee Seung-ki, head of LG Electronics’ Smart Factory Solutions Center.
The Sihwa Tidal Power Plant, which began operations in 2011, is South Korea’s pioneering tidal power facility. With a capacity of 254 megawatts (MW), it surpasses France’s La Rance Tidal Power Plant (240 MW), making it the world’s largest. The plant harnesses the tidal difference between the sea and lake during high tide to generate electricity, producing approximately 552 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually.
The partnership will focus on implementing AI-driven tidal power plants and lighthouse factories, applying and validating AI, digital twin, and robotics technologies, conducting research and development (R&D) in renewable energy and AI conversion, and exploring international business opportunities.
LG Electronics will initially assess the feasibility of implementing a digital twin-based integrated operating system. This technology creates virtual replicas of physical facilities, incorporating real-time data to predict and analyze various scenarios. By integrating data from power generation equipment and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, the plant can comprehensively manage its operations, enabling power output predictions, operational scenario validations, and equipment diagnostics.
The company is also considering deploying an AI agent using the EXAONE AI model developed by LG AI Research. This technology will support power loss analysis, equipment anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and risk assessment based on the plant’s operational dashboard. By analyzing weather patterns, sea level changes, and power generation data, it can propose optimal operational strategies and automate routine tasks like report generation.
For enhanced safety management and site automation, LG Electronics will employ physical AI technology. This includes deploying multifunctional patrol robots and AI-powered CCTV for facility inspections and hazard monitoring, while industrial robots will automate tasks such as spare parts management and material handling.
This collaboration marks a significant expansion of LG Electronics’ smart factory business from manufacturing and logistics into the energy and public infrastructure sectors.
LG Electronics’ smart factory solutions business has achieved remarkable growth, surpassing 1 trillion KRW (approximately 756 million USD) in cumulative orders within just two years of its launch. Initially focused on manufacturing clients in electronics, automotive components, and batteries, the company has recently expanded its customer base to include the logistics sector.
By validating the applicability of its smart factory technology at the world’s largest tidal power plant, LG Electronics aims to identify and pursue opportunities in domestic and international energy infrastructure projects.
Lee Seung-ki, head of LG Electronics’ Smart Factory Solutions Center, emphasized the significance of applying LG’s smart factory expertise to public infrastructure. He stated that its partnership with K-water to support the digital transformation of the Sihwa Tidal Power Plant will enhance its operational efficiency and safety, marking a crucial step in our expansion into new sectors.
