"Applying AI to Building Energy Management to Pioneer the Market"

20th Anniversary Eco-Friendly Architecture Consulting Firm EAN Technology
CEO Shin Ji-woong "Developing AI Zero Energy Solutions"

Artificial intelligence (AI) efficiently manages building energy and reduces carbon emissions. Moreover, it improves the environment surrounding people living in buildings, such as temperature, light, and air quality. To achieve this, delicate customized control that considers comfort felt inside the building and its impact on work efficiency is necessary. The application of AI creates more intelligent spaces and people harmonizing with these spaces. This is not a vision of the distant future. There is a company that has been steadily preparing for this market. It is EAN Technology, an integrated eco-friendly architectural consulting firm celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

On the 28th, Shin Ji-woong, CEO of EAN Technology, said, "The time has come when the intelligentization of buildings is rapidly progressing through AI application," adding, "We have developed an AI zero-energy solution in preparation for this market." EAN Technology’s solution is a subscription-based, user-customized service combining AI and expert knowledge. This development was possible because EAN Technology has accumulated engineering data in the sustainable architecture field for 20 years. According to CEO Shin, AI technology was applied based on essential technologies that enhance building 'intelligence,' such as intelligent system control, energy control, and automatic quantification of carbon emissions. To this end, they reinforced their digital workforce and newly organized their team.

EAN Technology also introduced a system that automatically calculates and manages detailed carbon emissions while supporting various ESG management practices for real estate holding companies. CEO Shin said, "For example, a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) is essential for quantifying carbon and establishing and implementing building-level ESG plans," adding, "In addition to existing BEMS functions, it is now possible to comprehensively operate and manage buildings by considering human respiration, comfort, temperature and humidity, and the perception of light."

Shin Ji-woong, CEO of EAN Technology

CEO Shin explained that while such systems were previously considerations only for large buildings, they are now being introduced in small and medium-sized buildings as well. As he said, the market is beginning to open. From 2025, 'Zero Energy Building Certification' for private sector buildings has become mandatory. This means buildings must focus on efficient energy management and carbon emission reduction on their own. CEO Shin said, "Every building is different, and energy strategy formulation is an area that requires expertise in the architectural environment field," adding, "A specialized company with know-how will be necessary."

The reason CEO Shin’s words carry weight is that he has pioneered the eco-friendly architectural engineering market since founding his company. He started first when the architectural environment and eco-friendly engineering industry itself did not exist in the Korean construction market and has focused solely on this field. Even 20 years ago, when EAN Technology was established, there was demand but the market was not as large as it is now. Suppliers were mainly research institutions such as universities. CEO Shin, who majored in architectural environment and earned a doctoral degree, led the commercialization of this field.

Based on engineering technology and environmental design capabilities, he has focused on making architecture and urban spaces more eco-friendly. He has proven competitiveness by participating in projects such as LG Science Park, Jamsil Lotte World Tower, COEX Exhibition Hall, and Hyundai Motor’s Samsung-dong Global Business Center. He said, "It is expected that plans and operations for zero-energy buildings in new constructions and green remodeling of existing buildings will increase significantly," adding, "Comprehensive AI IT solutions supporting these efforts will be spotlighted."

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