Yangcheon-gu Accelerates Energy Transition Through Designation as Energy Innovation District

Transition from Energy Consumers to Producers, Creating a Resident-Led, Field-Centered Energy Ecosystem... Formation of Public-Private-Academic Council Centered on Shinjeong 3-dong with High Residential Population, Expansion of Practical Projects for Greenhouse Gas Reduction... Understanding Energy Consumption Status through Establishment of Our Neighborhood Energy Information Platform

Yangcheon-gu, Cover Page for the Green Fence Project, One of the Climate and Environmental Crisis Response Projects

Yangcheon-gu Energy Innovation District Hub Sinjeong 3-dong

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Around the world today, carbon neutrality policies are being implemented to address the climate crisis. Carbon neutrality means balancing the amount of carbon emitted with the amount absorbed, making the net carbon emissions zero. The key to reducing carbon emissions lies in the energy sector, which accounts for the largest share of greenhouse gases (73.2%). Therefore, the key point to achieving carbon neutrality is a change in the energy sector, that is, an ‘energy transition.’

Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Sooyoung) is proactively responding to the global climate crisis caused by global warming by establishing regional energy based on renewable energy and promoting a carbon reduction project to create a ‘Green City ECO Yangcheon’ through energy self-sufficiency.

This project is based on being selected for the Seoul Energy Innovation District contest, with Yangcheon-gu designated as the second Energy Innovation District among 25 autonomous districts. An Energy Innovation District is a project that selects a key area within the district and focuses on greenhouse gas reduction policies through cooperation among the district office, residents, experts, and companies, creating a landmark for energy transition.

The district will form a public-private-academic consultative body centered on Sinjeong 3-dong, which has the highest residential population and where greenhouse gas reduction projects are actively underway. Through this consultative body, ideas for responding to climate change will be generated, environmental campaigns conducted, and forums held to raise awareness among residents about the seriousness of the climate crisis. Based on a strengthened local network, resident-led practical projects to reduce greenhouse gases will be expanded in various ways.

Additionally, a ‘Smart Grid Demonstration Project’ will be promoted. A pilot area for the ‘Eco-friendly Electricity Rate Plan,’ which allows households to choose electricity rates according to their usage patterns, will be selected, and a smart energy management system will be introduced to proactively improve energy efficiency.

A communication space for resident organizations dedicated to energy innovation will also be established. To this end, part of the ‘Eco Space Yeoni’ facility within the newly renovated Yeoni Ecological Park will be utilized to create ‘Smart Energy-B’ (meaning energy and home). This will serve not only as a space for promoting greenhouse gas reduction and new energy industries but also as an environmental education space and an energy hub center where active communication among residents takes place.

An ‘Energy Information Platform’ will be built to integrate and analyze dispersed energy information such as electricity, gas, and water, allowing a comprehensive view of the local energy status. Through a 98-inch large dashboard, comprehensive energy data by type (administrative district, building type, etc.) will be provided to residents. Monitoring and analyzing this data aims to contribute to spreading an energy-saving culture and establishing greenhouse gas reduction policies.

Moreover, Yangcheon-gu has continuously implemented various policies to respond to the climate and environmental crisis.

The district is currently conducting a ‘Climate Change Response Plan Establishment Study’ that includes greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation measures tailored to local characteristics, aiming for ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality.’ By establishing reduction plans that effectively implement carbon neutrality strategies and the Green New Deal, the district plans to contribute to achieving national greenhouse gas reduction targets and build a systematic system to cope with risks caused by climate change.

In addition, diverse green projects have been carried out with residents, including ▲a project to plant 300,000 trees with residents ▲installation of green fences around distribution boxes to reduce fine dust and improve road aesthetics ▲installation of the nation’s first fine dust traffic light.

To maintain continuous interest in the climate and environmental crisis and induce green changes, the ‘EGG Expedition Team’ is also operating, allowing residents to freely explore and certify 10 outstanding environmental facilities in Yangcheon-gu.

Kim Sooyoung, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, “Since climate change is today’s most important issue in the international community, mutual cooperation and voluntary participation of various social groups are very important for our society to quickly enter the path of energy transition. Through the carbon reduction project, Yangcheon-gu will actively strive to lead sustainable energy transition and become a model case of the Energy Innovation District.”

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