- By 2014, featuring environmentally-friendliness and high fuel efficiency

- CO2 reduced by 35%, fuel efficiency up by 35%, saving about 17 million won per unit a year

On February 5, Doosan Infracore reported that it will start developing a hybrid excavator with enhanced energy efficiency and emissions drastically reduced.

Doosan’s plan for the development of the new excavator model is part of the Ministry of Knowledge & Economy’s (MOKE) project for strategic development of technologies. The consortium of seven institutions both in and out of Korea led by Doosan Infracore is participating in the project, in which a total of 18 billion won will be invested.

The new model of hybrid excavator uses a diesel engine and can supplement the insufficient engine output at a time when it’s overloaded with the surplus power saved. The future-oriented excavator can go a long way in reduction of fuel consumption and emission gas (carbon dioxide down by 35%) as well as enhancement of energy efficiency.

The 22 ton-class excavator Doosan Infracore plans to develop will focus on environmentally-friendliness and economic efficiency. Its fuel efficiency will be improved by about 35% with a power conversion device that helps reuse the energy usually wasted when turning and operating various devices.

Doosan Infracore expects that the new model will save about 17 million won per unit a year in fuel expense alone. (Based on operation of 10 hours a day and 200 days a year and diesel price of 1,300 won/ℓ)

Dr. Kim Nak-in in charge of the project said, “Doosan Infracore will secure its position as the world’s top construction equipment manufacturer in the hybrid excavator market, which is expected to grow to 730 billion won per year by 2020. Our hybrid technology developed here will also be applied to wheel-loaders and forklifts.”

The consortium led by Doosan Infracore will be comprised of Komotec (specializing in motors), ADT (a manufacturer of power and electronic core parts), Doosan Mottrol, LS Mtron, Seoul National University, Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) and the German RWTH Aachen University (specializing in pneumatic systems and power/electronic areas).