Rainwater re-use and gray water treatment system
Rainwater and “gray water,” or waste water with low levels of toxicity, are recycled through Coex’s gray water treatment facilities. The recycled water is used in the toilets and urinals in the convention center complex and the ASEM Tower office building, vastly reducing water consumption and waste water generation.
The output of the gray water treatment system is 500 cubic meters per day and 142,000 cubic meters per year, which reduces yearly carbon emissions by 83 tonnes.
HVAC Equipment Replacement
Starting in 2004, a comprehensive project to replace outdated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems with more energy-efficient equipment has been taking place. Pumps, fans, ventilation system units, and heat exchangers all over the convention center are being replaced with newer, more energy-efficient models.
So far, the new equipment reduced CO2 emissions by 637 tonnes overall. In addition, indoor air pollution levels have been lowered by using outside air for ventilation.
LED Light Testing and Replacement
Coex has replaced older metal halide, incandescent, and fluorescent lights throughout much of the center with new LED models after conducting extensive testing in its underground parking facilities.
LED brands from 20 companies were tested for a year to find the most energy-efficient model, which was then chosen and installed throughout Exhibition Hall A during our first exhibition hall renovation project. Lighting replaced so far now includes:
| Exhibition Halls A and C | 640 bulbs replaced |
|---|---|
| Service Passages | 42 bulbs replaced |
| Parking sign lights | 711 bulbs replaced |
| Air traffic lights | 40 bulbs replaced |
| Exhibition rooftop | 40 bulbs replaced |
Urban Green Spaces
Three “green spaces” have been created so far around the Coex premises: the ASEM garden (2,050 m2), Piano Fountain park (4,510 m2), and Exhibition Hall roof garden (988 m2).
Green spaces are proven to reduce the urban “heat island” effect, where heavily developed areas have a higher temperature than their surroundings. Reduction of the heat island effect by Coex’s green spaces has reduced carbon emissions by 6 tonnes per year.
Flooring Replacement
Flooring in Exhibition Hall C was replaced during its renovation in 2008. Polished concrete flooring was installed in place of wasteful carpet flooring, which has to be replaced constantly due to wear and tear from exhibitions. In 2009, Hall A underwent the same renovation. Replacing the carpet flooring in the exhibition halls has reduced CO2 emissions by 471 tonnes each year.
In the underground parking lots, flooring was renovated with eco-friendly epoxy, which is manufactured from natural ingredients and leaves no contaminants behind after it is applied. Blocks of grass were also planted throughout the parking lot, and spaces added for bicycles and electric cars.
Bicycle Facilities
A 101 sqm bicycle check area has been installed at the Trade Center’s south gate. The check area was created to encourage bicycle use by ensuring that bikes would be safe from weather or other damage. There are a total of 120 bicycle spaces, which equals 157 tonnes of CO2 reduction if the bicyclists had used fuel-powered vehicles instead.
Xpace - DIGITAL SIGNAGE
Coex Digital Space = XPACE
Xpace is the newest digital media at Coex Convention Center, making our center greener and more sustainable! By cutting 21,000m² of physical waste from old-style printed signs and banners each year, Xpace offers digital marketing opportunities to an average of 1,200,000 visitors. For details on advertisement packages and pricing, please contact us at xpace@coex.co.kr.
Alternative Energy Testing
Due to its BeMS monitoring technology, Coex is the site of many alternative energy experiments. These alternative energy methods all come in small, home-sized units that could potentially be commercialized for consumer use.
Coex carefully measures the energy outputs of each appliance, not only for its own benefit, but also to distribute the information to parties that can help advance Korea’s green energy industry. The use of these alternative energy sources reduces Coex’s CO2 generation by approximately 4 tonnes yearly.
Photovoltaic Generators
In March 2009, 10 trial solar generator modules were installed on the roof of the convention center. The power capacity of each generator is 2kWh – about the energy used by a one-family household.
Solar Powered Street Lamps
Seven solar-powered streetlamps have been installed in Coex’s eastern plaza. These lamps charge during the day, and light up roads and sidewalks during the night.
Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Batteries
Trial “home hydrogen batteries” were installed on the convention center roof in early 2008 to be monitored for energy output until November of 2010. The batteries use hydrogen from city gas lines to generate electricity, leaving only water and heat behind as byproducts.
Wind Turbine
A wind turbine has been installed in Coex’s eastern plaza, using the high winds around that area to generate power. It has a capacity of 2Kwh, and will continue to be monitored until the end of this year.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
At Coex East Gate parking lot, Coex offers electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
- 20 quick-charging stations: charging 50kWh per 1 hr
- 3 standard stations: charging 7kW per 1 hr