October 15 2024
By Minseo Kim
Can you imagine living a life where your home generates energy and wastes no fuel? Zero-energy buildings(ZEBs) can do this by reducing the amount of energy used in buildings and harnessing renewable energy to minimize energy consumption. You'll use less energy, and the energy you use will be environmentally friendly. This allows you to enjoy a comfortable life.
ZEBs require passive, active, and renewable energy technologies. First, passive technologies are insulation and airtightness that keep the energy needed for a comfortable indoor environment from escaping. Examples include high insulation, which traps heat and maintains temperature, and high-density windows, which are the materials that go into windows and window frames. Next, Active focuses on reducing the amount of energy a building uses, installing systems (LEDs, high-efficiency fixtures) that make it more efficient to use the same amount of energy. Finally, Renewable Energy utilizes solar and geothermal installations to generate energy.
In Korea, ZEB certification level 5 has been mandatory for public buildings over 1,000 square meters since 2020. In 2023, it will be mandatory for public housing over 500 square meters and 30 units. In 2030, all buildings with a gross floor area of 500 square meters or more will be required to receive ZEB certification level 5, and by 2050, all buildings will be required to receive level 1. There are three criteria: a building energy efficiency rating of 1++ or higher, an energy independence rate of 20% or higher, and the installation of a building energy management system (BEMS) or remote meter reading.