Carbon-based fossil fuels are finite resources that are gradually becoming too costly to extract, both in terms of environmental impact and financially. These resources will run out, or fall out of use as the cost of retrieval outweigh the reward.

Renewable, sustainable energy comes from resources that are replenished regularly — typically, the wind and the sun. Whether hydroelectric power, bioenergy, geothermal energy, or solar photovoltaic power, sustainable energy sources protect the environment and offer a future-proof way to power people’s lives.

Hydroelectricity is another form of renewable energy. (Source: USGBC)

Historically, renewable energy has been overlooked in favor of carbon-based energy, owing to the cost of installing new technology versus using what is already in existence. With costs decreasing, however, alongside a global urge to be more environmentally friendly and to implement more renewable and sustainable practices, things are set to change.

The global energy industry is shifting away from a reliance on carbon-intensive energy to sustainable, renewable energy. The steel industry is part of this shift. POSCO is one of the companies leading the way in achieving environmental well-being. It does so with environmentally responsible corporate practices, as well as by creating products that are eco-friendly and capable of changing energy production on a global scale.

Trends in the Global Energy Industry

The growing importance of sustainable energy is clear. According to the Renewable Energy Policy Network, in 2016, renewable energy capacity was enough to supply over 23 percent of global electricity, and worldwide new investment in renewable power and fuels climbed to a high of USD 285.9 billion in 2015.

With the focus on sustainability, the mix of energy sources being used is shifting, too. In the United States, while renewable energy and natural gas continue to grow, the consumption of coal is dropping.

As in many other industries and areas, technology is changing the face of the global energy industry. Artificial intelligence, big data, and other technological strides make energy production more efficient, optimizing practices and opening the door to more sustainability.

POSCO’s Energy and Environmental Strategy

As a major player in the steel industry, POSCO takes its role in promoting sustainability very seriously. Its energy and environmental strategy set out the company’s expectations and plans for ensuring eco-friendly practices on all fronts, guiding all activities to ensure it is acting in an environmentally-conscious manner.

POSCO’s environmental management policy makes sure that the company complies with all environmental regulations, and works to improve the environment in its processes. Clean production processes and optimized pollution prevention technology minimizes emissions. Efficient use of resources and byproducts also enhance efficiency.

POSCO uses clean energy and green technology wherever possible, leading the low-carbon green growth initiative. Its environmental management processes and performance are fully disclosed for transparency and sustainability.

As part of its strategy, POSCO is dedicated to creating eco-friendly products, with 20 eco-friendly steel products developed in 2016. Eco-friendly products accounted for almost half of all products developed that year.

Exploring POSCO’s Efforts

One of POSCO’s biggest environmental successes is PosMAC, or POSCO Magnesium Alloy Coating Product. PosMAC is an ultra-corrosion resistant alloyed steel plate, adding safety and efficiency to buildings and products constructed with this material.

How does PosMAC help the environment? This material is ideal for constructing solar panels, owing to its high resistance and affordability.

Solar panels made of PosMAC produce renewable energy

Solar photovoltaic units generally last about 30 years. The materials used within construction need to stand up to the elements for that long. The cost of the units, including materials, is about half of the total price of installing a solar energy system, making material pricing a key factor in the accessibility of solar.

Because PosMAC can resist weather and corrosion effects, and because it is affordable, it is well suited for use in solar units. PosMAC lowers the cost of installing solar energy, bringing it within reach of industry players and smaller consumers alike. 

This year, POSCO signed MOUs with four major manufacturers of photovoltaic structures in India including Ganges and Purshotam to supply a total of 49,000 tons of PosMAC. Company executives hope to increase that number to 60,000 tons by 2018.

This is just one example of an environmentally friendly application of PosMAC. There is plenty of potential for this material to be used in the wind, biomass/fuel, small hydro, geothermal and energy efficiency sectors too. Wherever environmentally sustainable, cost-effective and high-performance is in need, POSCO and its steel products such as PosMAC have a role.

Cover photo courtesy of the Huffington Post.

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Revolutionary Features of Korea’s New Landmark, Northeast Asia Trade Tower

#1. 3-Dimensional Exterior Design Minimizes the Effect of Wind Load

POSCO Engineering & Construction, the construction arm of Korea’s top steelmaker POSCO, applied its most innovative and cutting-edge technology in the construction of NEAT Tower, the tallest building in Korea. To minimize the effect of wind load on the building, the tower was constructed under a 3-dimensional exterior design which features a trapezoid at the base which gradually transforms into a triangle at the top.

#2. Seismic Force Resisting System Utilizing Belt Truss and Outriggers

NEATT’ s main frame system consists of 27 perimeter columns, six corner mega columns, a core wall, and an outrigger/belt truss, all of which are systemically integrated. The core wall takes about 65% of the total gravity load and 70% of the total overturning moment due to wind load. The outrigger systems are installed on the 34^th and 65^th floors of NEATT and the structural design was performed in such a way that the axial load developed in columns due to the outrigger’s share of the overturning moment could also be resisted safely. The outrigger and belt system takes 30% of the overturning moment.

The core walls and columns of NEATT, an SRC structural building, were constructed with 12,841 tons of POSCO’s globally renowned high-strength reinforced concrete and SD40 reinforcing bars. The corner mega column was, for the first time in the construction of skyscrapers in Korea, built with 7,870 tons of SMC570TMC steel. The glass curtain wall enveloping the exterior was installed using low-emissivity glass. Low-emissivity (low-E) coatings are microscopically thin metal layers that are deposited on a window surface to help keep heat on the same side of the glass from which it originated. Glass with Low-E coatings reflect infrared light while allowing visible light, keeping the movement between interior and exterior heat to a minimum.

* Technical specifications of the Northeast Asia Trade Tower referenced from “NEATT Design of Structural System,” Dong Yang Structural Engineers Co., 2014.

#3. High Level Security and Anti-Disaster Measures

As the landmark building of Korea, Northeast Asia Trade Tower boasts high level security and anti-disaster measures. For example, it deployed global positioning system (GPS) sensors to help ensure the real-time measurement of vibration, displacement or deformation in the building caused by external factors, making it possible to preemptively identify any issues that could compromise the safety or structural integrity of the building. Additionally, the Seismic Force Resisting System can withstand magnitude 7-8 earthquakes.

In addition, the anti-disaster control center located on the first basement floor provides the ability to centrally monitor the power supply, lighting, CCTV system, access control and other utility services. The 30^th and 60^th floors each have a shelter that can accommodate up to 4,000 occupants safely and promptly in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. The building has 29 elevators operating at a speed of 420 meters per minute and capable of carrying users from the ground floor to the observatory on the 65^th floor within one minute.

< The anti-disaster control center located on the first basement floor provides the ability to centrally monitor the power supply, lighting, CCTV system, access control and other utility services. >

Going Green: A Striking Example of Sustainable Design

NEATT serves as a model of sustainable design strategies, carefully balancing energy conservation, increased indoor environmental quality, and occupant comfort. With a range of passive design strategies such as daylighting, natural ventilation and energy-efficient HVAC systems, the tower targets to achieve LEED^® Silver certification.

Like other buildings in New Songdo City, NEATT purchases district hot water from a new, highly efficient cogeneration facility located nearby. Hot water, used for heating and cooling via absorption chillers, is generated from waste heat recovered during the process of producing electricity. The building is estimated to reduce source-energy CO2 emissions by 6,000 tons per year when compared to a “standard” code-compliant office tower with on-site electric chillers and a natural-gas boiler plant.

Furthermore, the paint, carpets and wallpaper used in the construction of the building’s interior were of eco-friendly, non-toxic material in order to prevent the occurrence of Sick Building Syndrome.

* NEATT sustainability design features referenced from articles by ARUP and Built Expressions

<A Night View of the NEAT Tower and Songdo International Business District, Incheon>

The Northeast Asia Trade Tower is expected to boost the regional economy along with an increase in floating population, markets, employment and visitors from overseas once companies move into the building. Moreover, it appears to give momentum to draw more businesses to Songdo International Business District since clients of Daewoo International and other companies engaged in the related fields are expected to move into the building. We hope that NEAT tower will soon become Korea’s most well-known landmark in the days to come!