5-Year Report on Energy-Independent Villages

에너지 자립마을 5년, 그 성과는?

With the entire world devising measures to respond to climate change and the energy crisis, Seoul has been fostering energy-independent villages since 2012.
We examine the activities and accomplishments of Seoul’s major energy independent villages, and review their effectiveness.

Electric power is a necessity in modern life. From must-haves like smartphones to various electronic devices, we require power to enjoy everyday convenience. This electric power is mostly generated in thermal or nuclear power plants. But the use of fossil fuels at thermal power plants and the greenhouse gases produced as a result lead to global warming and serious climate change. Nuclear power plants present the danger of radioactivity, which is why movements are taking place worldwide to reduce their number.

As a result, since 2012, the city of Seoul has been supporting urban energy independent villages through public participation.

"Support ranges from a minimum about US$ 4,500 for 1st year villages to about US$ 27,000 for 3rd year villages. Support can be given to groups of 3 or more residents interested in the energy-independent village project. The goal is to support 100 places by 2018. 70 are being operated as of 2017."

5 years in since the project was launched, Sipjaseong village in Gangdong-gu district is cited as a model example of energy-independent villages.
First of all, Sipjaseong village installed solar power generators in each home to produce the village’s own electricity. 30 kilowatt solar power generators for home use were installed in about 50 different homes, generating over 45% of the necessary power independently.
This year, 15 additional homes will install solar power generators. It’s thanks to the real effects made tangible by neighbors.

"The utility fee comes to around US$ 60 to 70 for our house. We always tried to save, but since the solar generators were installed, we pay only in the range of US$ 2 to 4."

Efforts for energy independence go beyond the solar power generators. Education is offered for continued energy savings, and the residents are acting accordingly with efforts such as using LED bulbs in their homes.

The fostering of gardens on the rooftops of houses is also related to energy. They block out sunlight in the summer, lowering the building’s temperature, and keep in geothermal heat in the winter, helping to save on energy costs.

"There was a 45% drop in 2015 compared to the year before. In 2016, the drop was 46%. These are impressive figures. We began with the hope that such energy villages could become more common."

This apartment complex in Dongjak-gu has been participating in the energy-independence project since 4 years ago. The neighborhood reduced the use of electricity by 6.5% compared to a year earlier? How was the project applied successfully to an apartment complex?
As a first nation-wide, large solar panels were installed on the apartment rooftops, generating 131.6 kilowatts of publicly shared electricity.
120 units operate mini solar panels on the apartment verandas.
Streetlamps in the complex were converted to LED bulbs, and
Seoul’s energy independence stands at just 4%. But the success of energy-independent villages, attained through technology, policy, and shifts in the residents’ perception, demonstrates that we can overcome crises of energy and environment through out own efforts.

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