LG Electronics, K-water sign MOU to bring AI and digital twins to Sihwa tidal power plant
In short
LG Electronics said on 22 October that it signed a technical cooperation memorandum of understanding with Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) on AI-based operation of the Sihwa tidal power plant. The plant is described as the world's largest by generation capacity. The plans include a digital twin, an AI agent built on LG's EXAONE model, and patrol and industrial robots.
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LG Electronics said on 22 October that it had signed a technical cooperation memorandum of understanding with Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) for a Sihwa Lake AI tidal power plant. The signing took place at the Sihwa Tidal Power Culture Center in Ansan, Gyeonggi. Oh Bong-geun, head of K-water's renewable energy division, and Lee Seung-ki, head of LG's Smart Factory Solution Center, attended, according to Chosun Ilbo. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
Outlets describe the Sihwa plant as the world's largest tidal power plant by generation capacity. Yonhap and Newsis reported that LG plans to bring together its smart factory capabilities, including physical AI and digital twins, to upgrade the plant's AI-based operation and digital transformation. Chosun Ilbo said the aim is to combine K-water's plant operating data with LG's smart factory technology to raise efficiency and safety. [ 1 , 4 , 7 ]
Under the MOU the two sides plan to pursue an AI tidal power plant and lighthouse factory, apply and demonstrate AI, digital twin and robot technologies, respond jointly to renewable energy and AI transition R&D and policy projects, and find overseas projects together, according to Yonhap and Newsis. [ 4 , 7 ]
LG will first work on a digital twin-based integrated operating system. The whole plant would be reproduced virtually, with real-time data from generation equipment and CCTV linked so the plant's status can be managed in one place. The outlets say this would allow output forecasting, operating scenario checks and equipment diagnosis. LG also said it would review an AI agent built on EXAONE, the model from LG AI Research. According to Asia Economy and Seoul Economic Daily, the agent would help analyse causes of lost output, detect signs of equipment faults, assess risks and optimise inspection schedules. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
On site, multifunction patrol robots and AI CCTV would be used for facility patrols, equipment inspection, monitoring of danger zones and safety management. Asia Economy and Seoul Economic Daily add that industrial robots could automate storage, management and supply of spare parts and the carrying of materials. [ 3 , 6 ]
LG Electronics said the cooperation extends its smart factory solutions business from manufacturing and logistics into energy and infrastructure. The business passed 1 trillion won in cumulative orders in the first half of this year, two years after launch, according to Yonhap, Chosun Ilbo and Asia Economy. Seoul Economic Daily said the deal is assessed as a foothold for energy infrastructure projects run by governments and large companies at home and abroad. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 7 ]
Lee Seung-ki said it was meaningful that LG could apply smart factory capability built up on manufacturing sites to public infrastructure. He said LG would support the digital transformation of the Sihwa Lake tidal power plant together with K-water and raise its operating efficiency and safety. [ 1 , 3 , 6 ]
Why it matters
LG Electronics said the deal extends its smart factory solutions business from manufacturing and logistics into energy and infrastructure. Outlets report the company plans to seek further domestic and overseas energy infrastructure projects. The documents describe the work as plans to verify or review, not as finished deployments.
Key facts
- LG Electronics and K-water signed a technical cooperation MOU for a Sihwa Lake AI tidal power plant on 22 October at the Sihwa Tidal Power Culture Center in Ansan, Gyeonggi. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Outlets describe the Sihwa tidal power plant as the world's largest by generation capacity. [ 1 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- The two sides plan to pursue an AI tidal power plant and lighthouse factory, demonstration of AI, digital twin and robot technologies, joint R&D and policy projects, and joint overseas projects. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- LG plans to use a digital twin that virtually reproduces the whole plant and links real-time data from generation equipment and CCTV, for output forecasting, operating scenario checks and equipment diagnosis. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- An AI agent based on EXAONE, the model from LG AI Research, is under review for the plant. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- LG Electronics said its smart factory solutions business passed 1 trillion won in cumulative orders in the first half of this year, two years after launch. [ 1 , 3 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- LG Electronics and K-water signed the MOU on 22 October at the Sihwa Tidal Power Culture Center in Ansan. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- LG will apply a digital twin-based integrated operating system to the plant and is reviewing an EXAONE-based AI agent. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- LG Electronics said the cooperation extends its smart factory business from manufacturing and logistics into energy and infrastructure. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 7 ]
- Lee Seung-ki, head of LG's Smart Factory Solution Center, said it was meaningful to apply LG's smart factory capability to public infrastructure and that LG would support the digital transformation of the Sihwa plant. [ 1 , 3 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the AI agent will actually be introduced. Outlets say only that its application is under review.
- Whether the cooperation will lead to further energy infrastructure contracts for LG. Seoul Economic Daily says the deal is assessed as a foothold for such projects, and other outlets say LG plans to expand. No contracts are named.
- Schedule, cost and financial terms of the work. None of the documents give them.