A "Zero-Energy Building (ZEB)" refers to an eco-friendly building that minimizes the building's energy consumption through insulation, high-performance windows and doors, and heat-exchange ventilation systems, and that produces energy directly at the building with new and renewable energy such as solar power, making its actual energy use nearly "zero." In fact, Korea's energy self-sufficiency rate is about 9%, and more than 60% of total power generation relies on coal or fossil fuels. Considering that the OECD average share of fossil-fuel dependence is in the 50% range, we are still a country centered on fossil-fuel energy. To reduce fossil-fuel-energy dependence and realize carbon neutrality, our government is expanding the policy of making zero-energy buildings mandatory in stages.
[A symbol of zero-energy buildings ©Zero Energy Building]
Zero-Energy Building Certification Standards — When Do They Apply?
Originally, Korea was set to apply zero-energy-building certification to private apartments and other multi-family housing from 2024, but in consideration of the construction industry's burden and economic conditions, implementation had been deferred by one year to 2025. According to the rules, from this year, private multi-family housing of 30 or more households and private buildings of 1,000㎡ or more must also meet the standard of zero-energy-building Grade 5. This certification is graded according to the energy self-sufficiency rate: 100% or more is Grade 1, and 20–40% is Grade 5. From late June, private apartments become subject to the mandatory Grade-5-standard zero-energy-building requirement.
[The Seoul Energy Dream Center, a case of a zero-energy building ©Zero Energy Building]
Higher Initial-Cost Burden and Disputes over Effectiveness Remain Tasks to Solve
The zero-energy-building certification system plays an important role in spreading eco-friendly construction, but there are also several concerns. First, the introduction of high-efficiency materials and new-and-renewable-energy equipment greatly increases initial construction costs, which can be a large burden for small and mid-sized construction firms or individual building owners. Because a zero-energy building must make its energy consumption "zero"—the amount of energy used over a year being equal to, or less than, the amount produced directly at the building—planning is needed from the design stage. For this reason, a realistic problem is that advanced design and construction, efficient operation of equipment, and the cost and capacity for maintenance are all greatly required.
Administratively, there are also concerns that the certification procedure is complicated and that additional costs, such as certification fees, arise. In fact, it is pointed out that a considerable number of certified buildings remain at low grades, so there are limits to achieving policy goals. The fact that a post-completion management system meeting the standards has not been established is a part that must be steadily supplemented along with the policy's application going forward.
Although there are piles of tasks to solve, zero-energy buildings have the great advantage of minimizing a building's energy consumption and greatly reducing energy costs over the long term. It should also be considered that high-performance insulation, airtightness, and ventilation systems maintain a comfortable indoor environment, which can improve our health and quality of life.
Despite the limits, zero-energy buildings are our homework for increasing the share of renewable energy. Accordingly, voices are growing that the effectiveness of eco-friendly construction should be raised by improving the shortcomings and expanding support.
Policy Incentives for Energy-Cost-Saving Effects
Of course, the initial investment cost will be somewhat high, but the spread of zero-energy buildings can realize economic benefits through continuous energy-saving effects, and it is a way to be less affected by unstable energy conditions such as electricity-rate increases. The government plans to ease building owners' burden and work to settle the certification system by providing various incentives—such as acquisition-tax and property-tax reductions, floor-area-ratio easing, and financial support—for buildings that have received zero-energy-building certification.
Now, ahead of the national goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, the introduction of zero-energy buildings is an option that can realize environmental responsibility and social value at the same time. If policy effectiveness continues to be strengthened, the possibility of achieving carbon neutrality in sustainable cities will also rise.
by Editor N