Korea Rail Network Authority Develops Carbon Reduction Roadmap... Full Certification of 'Zero Energy' for Railway Stations 추진

A panoramic photo of the Korea Rail Network Authority building (right) and Korea Railroad Corporation building (left) located in Dong-gu, Daejeon. Provided by the Korea Rail Network Authority.

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Korea Rail Network Authority announced on the 15th that it will establish and implement a 'Zero-Energy Roadmap for Railway Buildings.'

The zero-energy roadmap is being implemented with the core goal of promoting zero-energy building certification for all railway stations in line with the government's '2050 Carbon Neutrality' and Green New Deal policies.

First, the Rail Network Authority will expand the zero-energy certification target to buildings with a total floor area of 500㎡ or more starting in 2023, and from 2025, it will promote certification for all railway buildings regardless of floor area. Currently, the certification standards apply only to buildings with a total floor area of 1000㎡ or more, but these standards will be gradually strengthened and expanded to cover all railway stations.

They will also promote the decarbonization of railway facilities by upgrading certification levels. The current certification level is at grade 5, but it will be raised to grade 4 or higher in 2023 and grade 3 or higher from 2025, with the Rail Network Authority taking a leading role in decarbonization.

To this end, the Rail Network Authority will implement detailed action plans including ▲ expanded application of high-efficiency insulation materials and mechanical equipment ▲ provision of geothermal heating and cooling waiting rooms at railway stations ▲ incorporation of zero-energy design in design competitions ▲ strengthening the ratio of renewable energy such as solar power ▲ preparation of zero-energy checklists for each design and construction stage.

Additionally, they plan to expand the installation of hydrogen and electric vehicle charging stations within railway station sites and carry out carbon emission reduction activities by utilizing idle railway land and facilities.

Jang Bong-hee, Head of Construction at the Rail Network Authority, said, “Through the phased implementation of the roadmap, we will actively fulfill the government's '2050 Carbon Neutrality' policy and take full responsibility and role to ensure that railways lead the carbon-neutral era.”

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