"Battery Cell Production Electricity Usage Reduced by 15%" SK Innovation Certified as 'Excellent Workplace'

Overview of SK Innovation Seosan Battery Plant

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] SK Innovation's Seosan battery plant was recognized for reducing energy consumption in the manufacturing process and received the '2020 Energy Efficiency Target System Excellent Workplace' certification from the Korea Energy Agency on the 12th.

Last year, SK Innovation participated in the pilot project of the '2020 Annual National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Energy Efficiency Target System' organized by the Korea Energy Agency. This system is a national initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. The Korea Energy Agency evaluates the energy-saving performance of voluntarily participating companies and certifies excellent workplaces through a credible third-party institution.

This certification was awarded to only 19 workplaces with outstanding energy-saving performance, including SK Innovation, out of a total of 44 workplaces participating in the 2020 pilot project. The SK Innovation Seosan plant was among the top three workplaces with the best energy-saving results and held a direct certificate awarding ceremony. On this day, Park Byungchun, Director of Demand Management at the Korea Energy Agency, visited the SK Innovation Seosan plant and presented the certificate and plaque to Kim Jinyoung, Head of the Production Technology Division.

SK Innovation set a goal to reduce the energy used to produce one battery cell by 7% compared to the previous year. The actual reduction effect reached 15%, more than double the target. The energy saved by SK Innovation, including electricity and fuel, amounted to approximately 238,000 GJ. In monetary terms, this corresponds to about 2.5 billion KRW.

SK Innovation analyzed all facilities and equipment to find ways to reduce energy consumption. They analyzed energy usage from large equipment such as air conditioners, humidity control devices, and chilled water supply systems to indoor lighting. Through this, equipment that was previously operated continuously was used only when necessary. Equipment that could improve operational efficiency was upgraded to reduce electricity consumption. In winter, cold outside air was drawn in to produce chilled water, which was then supplied to spaces requiring low temperatures, achieving an eco-friendly change.

Head Kim stated, "Under the judgment that eco-friendly batteries must also be environmentally friendly in the manufacturing process, we optimized and improved all processes to reduce indirectly generated carbon during production," adding, "We will continue to make active reduction efforts and are determined to achieve net zero by 2035."

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