Seoul New Buildings Allowed to Install 'Next-Generation Fuel Cells' Using Renewable Energy

Seoul City Revises and Announces 'Guidelines for Calculating New and Renewable Energy Production'
Establishes New Standards for Calculating Installation Area of 'Building-Integrated Photovoltaics'

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) installed at Wolgye Middle School in Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] 'Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)' fuel cells will be added to the list of mandatory new and renewable energy installations for buildings with a total floor area of over 3,000㎡ newly constructed in Seoul. Additionally, new standards have been established to allow 'Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)' using solar cells as building exterior materials to be installed in various designs and types that emphasize harmony with the building's facade.

Seoul City announced on the 25th that it has revised and publicly notified the "Seoul City New and Renewable Energy Production Calculation Guidelines" on the 26th, and that these will apply to new construction permits submitted from that date onward.

Although new and renewable energy technologies are rapidly advancing, the city explained that installation standards were established to address the lack of related regulations that had prevented practical application in the field.

SOFC-type fuel cells are next-generation fuel cells with 10% higher power generation efficiency than existing methods. Currently, several domestic companies such as STX Heavy Industries, MICO Co., Ltd., and Kyungdong Navien are developing and marketing these, but due to insufficient regulations for building installation, related companies have faced difficulties entering the market. This guideline revision provides the basis for installation in private newly constructed buildings within Seoul.

Regarding Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), until now, compliance with renewable energy obligations was evaluated solely based on power generation efficiency, resulting mainly in the installation of general crystalline BIPV with high efficiency but a bulky appearance. The revised guidelines introduce standards for calculating installation area, enabling the distribution of various BIPV types that prioritize harmony with the building facade over power generation efficiency.

The city expects that through these guidelines, the number of buildings producing and consuming diverse new and renewable energy will expand, contributing to the revitalization of related industries and broadening building owners' choices regarding renewable energy.

Kim Ho-sung, Director of the Green Energy Division of Seoul City, said, "Although new and renewable energy technologies continue to develop, institutional support to back them up is insufficient. Through this guideline revision, we aim to contribute to the establishment of advanced domestic new and renewable energy industries and achieve the dual goals of zero greenhouse gas emissions from buildings."

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