City pushes for zero-energy residential buildings

By KH디지털2

Published : Jan. 13, 2016 - 14:36

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Seoul City will build zero-energy high-rise residential buildings as part of its efforts to join the carbon cut move, officials said Wednesday.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it agreed with the Transport Ministry to build two zero-energy apartments each in Seongbuk and Gangdong districts on a trial basis. More than 2,900 households will benefit from the new project.

Zero-energy buildings refer to construction projects that minimize the use of energy and maximize insulation, while generating energy with renewable sources. Self-generated energy is used for heat, light and ventilation.

High-rise apartments in Seoul. (Yonhap)

This is the first time that the city has conjured up the policy for large-scale residential buildings. The city and the ministry have pushed for the project since 2014.

The two buildings will receive subsidies for installing renewable energy equipment and tax cut benefits, the authorities said.

The government will monitor the buildings’ energy use for the first three years and use the data for future measures.

The city government vowed to gradually expand zero-energy buildings, as about 50 percent of energy use and carbon emissions take place during construction.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)

City pushes for zero-energy residential buildings

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