SNU still using more energy than other buildings in Seoul

Seoul National University buildings consumed the most energy in Seoul, figures from the Seoul Metropolitan Government showed Tuesday.

SNU used 53,195 tons of oil equivalent in 2018, ranking No. 1 on a list of energy-consuming buildings in the capital, according to data on energy use in buildings in Seoul.

A ton of oil equivalent is a unit of energy, defined as the amount of energy released by burning 1 metric ton (1,000 kilograms) of crude oil.

The country’s top university, which has 132,188 square meters of floor space and laboratories running around the clock, topped the list for the seventh consecutive year.

KT IDC’s Mokdong IDC 1 came in second, followed by LG Science Park’s east section, the Gasan Internet Data Center and Seoul Asan Medical Center.

By industry, Hotel Lotte took the top spot in the hotel industry, Lotte Property & Development in the department store industry and Seoul Agro-Fisheries & Food Corp. among state-run agencies.

As of 2018, the total amount of energy used stood at 7,972 tons of oil equivalent on average, a 4 percent increase from the previous year.

A total of 221 buildings decreased their energy usage compared with a year earlier, saving 39,860 tons of oil equivalent. LG Uplus’ Nonhyeon Internet Data Center saw the largest on-year decrease.

A total of 196 buildings used more energy this year than the previous year, with the east section of LG Science Park and its west section coming in first and second place, respectively, on this list. The Korea Stock Exchange ranked third.

Private buildings generate 67 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the city government.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)