[Deputy Manager Column] Is Alternative Energy a Real Alternative?

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[Asia Economy Reporter Osangdo] In the past, an unusual cafe was located in the Seosomun Government Complex in Seoul. It was the only teahouse that had a nest inside the building until it moved to the new city hall in front of Seoul Plaza.

This place was supposed to be bustling with employees and citizens, but it was not. On rainy days, it was common for there to be no customers for several hours. The fact that it was an English cafe contributed to this, but the bigger impact was that a large liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage tank was buried right below the cafe. The dangers of the LPG station were exaggerated beyond necessity.

Last month, Seoul City held a briefing and proposed a plan to integrate hydrogen charging infrastructure with the LPG station located at the Seosomun Annex. After a feasibility review, a detailed project plan is expected to be released soon.

Recently, Seoul’s fine dust reduction measures have gained momentum. For the first time nationwide, a fine dust intensive management zone was designated, and support projects to replace freight trucks and school buses with LPG vehicles have begun. Subsidies for hydrogen and electric vehicle distribution have been expanded, and since the 1st of last month, a fine of 250,000 KRW has been imposed on grade 5 vehicles entering the city center.

However, there are some aspects that Seoul City, which dreams of a 'green transportation paradise,' has momentarily overlooked. It seems somewhat insufficient in understanding the nature of renewable energies such as solar, wind, and hydrogen, and in creating a master plan with a long-term perspective.

These energies are called 'bridge energies' that temporarily replace fossil fuels. Cases where large turbines on wind power generators devastate the surroundings and solar power facilities are left as eyesores are frequently seen across the country. Low energy efficiency is also a challenge to overcome.

Some raise concerns about the considerable carbon dioxide emissions generated during electricity production or hydrogen extraction from natural gas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted in a report that there is little difference in fine dust emissions between diesel buses and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.

Just as humans have different personas, the energy sources future generations will face also have different characteristics. Addressing renewable energy issues step by step, with the mindset of taking the first step on a thousand-mile journey, is a task not only for Seoul City but for the entire Republic of Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.