Urban Energy Transition Solutions
Emerging as an ESG Collaboration Hub
Overseas companies and experts continue to visit the demonstration complex established to expand solar power generation facilities in the heart of Seoul. Seoul Energy Corporation announced on June 11 that on June 10, more than 30 executives and experts in the field of eco-friendly and low-carbon technologies from Europe visited the demonstration complex at the corporation’s headquarters in Yangcheon-gu for technology exchange and a tour.
Participants of the EU Business Hub visited Seoul Energy Corporation and toured the solar power new technology demonstration complex. Provided by Seoul Energy Corporation.
The delegation visiting the headquarters this time came to Korea through the EU Business Hub-Korea program, which supports outstanding small and medium-sized enterprises and startups from the European Union in entering the Asian market.
The demonstration complex operates a tour program that shares examples of solar technology and the potential for renewable energy transition with a wide range of domestic and international visitors, including students and companies. Since 2023, the demonstration complex has hosted 594 people from 37 EU teams and 136 people from Morocco, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Japan, Iraq, and Colombia, totaling 730 overseas companies and experts.
The corporation has established the first demonstration complex in Korea that concentrates solar power new technologies at its headquarters in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, building a leading model for energy transition in large urban areas. By providing the headquarters site as a demonstration space, various new solar technologies have been applied to buildings and facilities, presenting a future-oriented urban solar demonstration model.
The demonstration complex features 15 new technologies, including BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics), CIGS thin-film color solar cells, high-efficiency color BIPV modules, solar louvers, and tile-shaped solar panels. Sixteen companies selected through a public contest by the Seoul Institute (formerly Seoul Technology Research Institute) participated, and among them, 10 technologies have completed performance verification, ensuring their reliability.
The demonstration complex produces approximately 100 MWh of electricity annually. This corresponds to a reduction of about 47 tCO₂eq in greenhouse gas emissions. The electricity generated is used for self-consumption at the headquarters building, contributing to building energy efficiency.
In addition, the corporation supports participating companies by providing demonstration sites and promotional assistance, and helps them obtain performance certificates after the demonstration period, thereby contributing to product commercialization and market expansion. Through follow-up support such as holding results presentations, discovering best practices, providing technical feedback, and linking additional demonstrations, the corporation also plans to establish a foundation for continued growth.
Meanwhile, aiming to establish a second demonstration complex for new technologies, the corporation is collaborating with the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) to promote the 'Open ESG Testbed Demonstration Project.' This project utilizes energy infrastructure such as district energy facilities and renewable energy installations as open testbeds, providing opportunities for innovative companies to demonstrate and commercialize new technologies. The focus will be on demonstrating innovative technologies that can be linked to ESG outcomes, such as carbon reduction and eco-friendly services.
Hwang Boyeon, President of the corporation, stated, "Seoul Energy Corporation is creating a sustainable model that goes beyond demonstration of innovative technologies to actual application in urban environments," adding, "We will continue to be an energy partner that leads the global green transition together with domestic companies."
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