Energy Simulation, a Key Approach in Strengthening Energy Performance on Low-rise Buildings in Korea

By: Tai Jeong

Country Director, Canada Wood Korea

To follow the target of the Paris Agreement, the South Korean government released a plan in July 2018 that aimed for a 37% reduction in emissions from the business-as-usual (BAU) levels by 2030, which included an emissions reduction of 65 million tons in the building sector by strengthening the energy standards for new buildings and the promotion of a green remodelling for existing buildings.

The building-energy rating system in South Korea such as G-SEED or KBEEC evaluate the building energy performance quantitatively based on the energy code/standard, and grant relevant certifications that meet the criteria. This process requires building energy simulation reports to be included in the application documents. Hence, there is a heightened interest in developing and learning energy simulation methods, especially in the low-rise construction sector.

Canada Wood Korea introduced HOT2000, a software developed by the Natural Resources Canada and optimized for wood frame low-rise residential buildings, to the Korea market years ago and has received positive feedback so far. We provide comprehensive Energy Efficient Technology training programs to build the capacity of designers and builders in helping them design wood buildings that can meet Net Zero Energy (Ready) standards.

In partnership with the Super-E office, we’ve just concluded a 4-day long HOT2000 Energy Simulation Workshop, designed to equip designers and builders with the basics of HOT2000 energy simulation, such as calculation of effective R-value of building components, quantity take-off and data collection, data entry and report generation.