In Seoul, on the 7th, reporter Yoon Joo-young from News1 announced that the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Industrial Technology Association selected Park Young-min, a senior researcher at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, and Kwon Kyung-an, head of the Techross Research Institute, as recipients of the Korean Engineer Award for July.
This award is given monthly to one engineer from a large company and one from a small to medium-sized enterprise to encourage technological innovation in the industrial field and foster a culture that values engineers. Winners receive a ministerial award from the Ministry of Science and ICT and a prize of 5 million KRW, funded by science and technology promotion funds and the lottery fund.
Senior researcher Park Young-min was recognized for his contribution to commercializing the CHB high-voltage drive for the first time in Korea and achieving technological independence for the MMC high-voltage drive for ship electric propulsion.
High-voltage drives are power conversion devices that efficiently and reliably control large motors used in power plants and large ships. They are considered core technologies for improving economic efficiency by reducing energy consumption and extending equipment lifespan.
Park developed the CHB high-voltage drive independently, previously dependent on imports or technical partnerships, and commercialized 80 models. These achievements received new technology certifications (KT, 2001) and new product certifications (NEP, 2008). The development of the MMC high-voltage drive likewise enhanced the competitiveness of next-generation electric propulsion technology for large ships and naval vessels.
Director Kwon Kyung-an was recognized for localizing and vertically integrating the core equipment of ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) and leading the development of industrial hydrogen production devices connected directly to renewable energy.
During international voyages, ballast water is sterilized to prevent ecological disturbances. A problem arises as TRO sensors for ships, used globally, are monopolized overseas and are costly despite quality issues in turbid waters.
Kwon improved the quality of ship TRO sensors by applying three-wavelength correction technology and was the first to commercialize an intrinsically safe sensor that prevents explosion risks during TRO measurement. This achievement led to gaining the top global market share in the field.
Additionally, he established a specialized research institution for water electrolysis and succeeded in developing a renewable energy direct-connect water electrolysis system, significantly improving the utilization and economic efficiency of renewable energy.
### Glossary
– **CHB:** Cascaded H-Bridge, a practical and economical design using multiple power modules (H-bridges) stacked in series, used for large motor control and steel mills.
– **MMC:** Modular Multilevel Converter, used where very high voltage capacity and waveform quality are required, such as in high-voltage direct current transmission and large facilities.
– **BWTS:** Ballast Water Treatment System, a system for sterilizing ballast water used in ships to maintain balance.