Busan Port Authority Improves Energy Efficiency at Busan Port International Passenger Terminal Using AI

Selected for 'Development of Core Technologies for Energy Demand Management' Contest

Busan Port Authority (BPA) has been selected for the "2024 Core Technology Development Project for Energy Demand Management" organized by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. BPA will carry out a project to develop and demonstrate "AI-based spatial energy prediction and autonomous control technology to improve building energy efficiency."

Ecosian will serve as the lead institution, and BPA, along with 16 other organizations, will participate as joint research and development institutions, securing a government support budget of 18 billion KRW.

Ecosian, BPA, and others plan to develop technology to reduce energy consumption in buildings through autonomous control by applying AI-based energy management technology that considers the characteristics of each space in a building and integrated management system technology for complex buildings by May 2028.

BPA will target the Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center (BPEX) within the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal to develop a system that autonomously controls building energy efficiency in optimal conditions by training artificial intelligence with data such as: standard spatial model data including space usage and number of users; multi-object data such as smart lighting, HVAC systems, and renewable energy facilities; environmental data such as indoor temperature, humidity, and air quality; user preference data such as convenience and health indices; and user pattern data such as occupancy status and energy consumption patterns.

Buildings that apply this system are expected to significantly improve energy efficiency, reducing facility maintenance costs by more than 30%.

When applied to the International Exhibition and Convention Center within the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal, it is expected to reduce annual electricity usage by about 375 MWh and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 172 tons.

Kang Junseok, President of BPA, said, "We expect this technology to contribute to further advancing Busan Port as a carbon-neutral port by improving energy consumption efficiency across all Busan Port buildings, including passenger terminals and pier operation buildings."