DL E&C

 
DL E&C is speeding up in earnest to advance to the Small Modular Reactor (SMR: Small Modular Reactor) business, which is attracting attention as a decarbonized energy source. DL E&C revealed on the 18th that he had decided to make a strategic investment in the US SMR developer X-Energy.
 
DL E&C invests 2 million dollars (approximately 250 billion won) and takes over the convertible bond issued by x-energy. Doosan Enerbility, a domestic nuclear power equipment company, is also participating in this strategic investment.
 
▣ X-Energy, a leader in the 4th generation SMR field... 2029 commercialization target
X-Energy is recognized as a leader in the non-light water reactor type 4th generation SMR field that applies a new coolant rather than water. In particular, it is considered one of the most advanced developers in the field of high-temperature gas furnace (HTGR). ‘Xe-100’, a representative model being developed by X-Energy, consists of four modules with a single capacity of 80MWe, with a total power generation capacity of 320MWe. It is characterized by using high-temperature helium gas as a coolant. It uses nuclear fuel the size of a tennis ball with enhanced stability that does not melt even at 1,800℃ due to its triple coating. In addition, the high heat of about 600℃ produced during operation is used as a heat source for industrial plants, and has the advantage of securing various sources of demand in addition to power supply.
 
Recognized for the stability and economic feasibility of SMR technology, X-Energy succeeded in attracting continuous private investment along with large-scale funding from the US government ($1.2 billion). The product is being developed with the goal of commercialization in 2029. It is preparing for an IPO on the US stock market in April this year, and its corporate value after listing is estimated to exceed 2 billion dollars (approximately 2.5 trillion won).
 
▣ DL E&C promotes new eco-friendly business development through synergy with plant business
DL E&C plans to cooperate with X-energy and SMR plant business development in the future and further expand opportunities and competitiveness in the field of energy business. X-energy's SMR technology is not only power production, but also a strategy to advance into the global market by connecting with DL E&C's plant business.
 
In particular, DL E&C is promoting the expansion of the eco-friendly new business portfolio through the SMR business. This is because the high heat of over 600℃ generated during SMR operation can be used to produce hydrogen and ammonia, another eco-friendly energy source. DL E&C has experience in carrying out reforming and by-product hydrogen production plants from design to construction at home and abroad. In particular, it successfully carried out the world's largest Maaden Ammonia Plant Project in Saudi Arabia, which produces ammonia through natural gas. Currently, cooperation is underway with the South Australian government and Uljin-gun for hydrogen production and infrastructure construction projects. DL E&C is planning to expand the eco-friendly new business portfolio by building a hydrogen value chain that has been grafted with SMR business.
 
Yoo Jae-ho, head of the plant business division of DL E&C, said, "X-Energy's SMR technology can be used in various industries, so synergy effects with DL E&C's plant business are expected." We will actively promote the development of eco-friendly energy sources such as sea hydrogen and ammonia.”
 
X-Energy CEO J. Clay Cell said, “We will showcase the SMR technology of X-Energy to the global market through cooperation with DL-E&C, which has world-class technology and expertise in the power plant sector.”