[Seoul's News_ Energy] Seoul Launches “Seoul Energy Corporation”
Seoul Launches “Seoul Energy Corporation”
Following the advice of the Seoul International Energy Advisory Council that Seoul would need an agency to supervise energy policies and lead the nuclear power plant reduction project, the Seoul Metropolitan Government established a construction plan in July 2015 and reviewed the validity of the plan in January 2016. After establishing the relevant ordinances in July, the Seoul Energy Corporation was registered as a public corporation of the Seoul Metropolitan City in December. A total of KRW 358.4 billion was invested.
The goals of the Corporation are to continue with the One Less Nuclear Power Plant Project, which brought forth savings and production of energy corresponding to the power generation of a nuclear power plant (2 million TOE) in cooperation with citizens, and to develop this model into a “sustainable energy saving structure.”
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has been implementing the One Less Nuclear Power Plant Project since April 2012, following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. In cooperation with citizens, Seoul saved 2 million TOE, an amount of energy that corresponds to the power generation of one nuclear power plant, in June 2014, six months earlier than the deadline, and increased its power-sufficiency rates from 2.9% (2011) to 5.5% (2015). In the 2nd phase (2015-2020) of the project, which started in 2015, Seoul has been striving to save the energy of 4 million TOE, an amount of energy corresponding to the power generation of two nuclear power plants, as well as cut down on greenhouse gas emission by 10 million tons.
In addition, Seoul is trying to resolve the inconveniences suffered by residents living near nuclear power plants or thermal power plants through implementation of mutual growth projects and cooperative projects, such as construction of solar power plants, in partnership with other local governments. The Corporation will take the initiative in realizing a nuclear-free society by producing and distributing a manual of the One Less Nuclear Power Plant Project and spreading its energy saving knowhow.
Under the slogan, “Open Energy World for Citizens,” the Seoul Energy Corporation will conduct four key projects and encourage the self-sufficiency of energy in Seoul. The four projects are ① Eco-friendly and distributed energy supply project, ② low-consumption energy distribution project, ③ energy sharing project, and ④ interregional cooperation project.
First, the Seoul Energy Corporation will establish a “virtuous energy circulation structure” in which Seoul will be transformed from an energy-consuming city to an energy-producing city by supplying more new and renewable energy and eco-friendly thermal energy including wastewater heat. By 2020, the Corporation will have completed construction of the Magok Cogeneration Power Plant to supply eco-friendly regional air-conditioning to an additional 75,000 households.
The Seoul Energy Corporation will expand upon its new and renewable energy generation facilities as well. An addition of 70MW solar power generation facilities and 90MW fuel cells will be installed by 2020. In addition, it will construct a Total Service Center in four regions by 2020, in order to distribute mini PVs for home use to reduce the burden of the progressive electricity pricing scheme.
Second, the Corporation will increase the number of electric cars to 10,000 by 2018 to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In 2017, it will commence with a demonstration project to install a new and renewable energy station called “Solar Station” that charges with solar energy and stores the remaining electricity.
In addition, it will provide the “Electric Car Life-Cycle Management Service” encompassing the purchase, charging, resale, and disuse of electric cars in 2017, and launch “EV Loan” that provides Seoul citizens with low-interest loans when they purchase an electric car.
Furthermore, the Corporation will establish the “Seoul Energy Management System” by 2020 in order to reduce the energy consumption of energy-guzzling public facilities, such as purification plants, sewage treatment centers, and hospitals, by 5% to 10% using information technology.
<Services of Electronic Car(Left), Electronic charging system(Right) >
The Seoul Energy Corporation will raise energy welfare funds with a portion of its earnings and develop a variety of projects to improve the energy efficiency of residential facilities in addition to providing subsidies and air-conditioning units. Furthermore, it will newly open and operate various education programs to cultivate energy experts and promote energy self-sufficiency and sharing in local communities by supporting youth ventures and cooperatives.
Fourth, the Corporation will spread the value of mutual growth and realize energy democracy in cooperation with other local governments. In conjunction with the local communities, it will carry out a variety of new and renewable energy projects, and produce and distribute the manual of the One Less Nuclear Power Plant Project to other local governments. Its major cooperative projects include the solar energy generation project, certified emission reduction project, joint R&D of new and renewable energy, energy community project, and energy welfare project. As Seoul is limited in constructing wind power plants or large-scale solar energy generation facilities due to its environmental and geographical limitations, the Corporation will ultimately contribute to spreading new and renewable energy in collaboration with other regions with more favorable conditions.
On Thursday February 23rd at 2:00pm, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held the opening ceremony for the Seoul Energy Corporation at the Main Building of Seoul City Hall with 300 interested parties in attendance. In particular, six resident representatives from cities with nuclear power plants attended the ceremony to show their support.