Pushing for Research into Solar and Wind Power

Have you ever thought of a construction company studying solar and wind power and which spends a lot of money on geothermal energy? It may sound a bit strange to you but not to those working for the engineering and construction division of Samsung C&T. They believe eco-friendly construction is a new growth engine and are committed to the study of new and renewable energy in order to discover new business opportunities.

“Samsung C&T is going to focus its resources on eco-friendly construction based on its experience in building high-rise, state-of-the-art constructions,” said Jung Yeon-joo, CEO of Samsung C&T Corporation.

The company predicts that new and renewable forms of power generation for buildings would grow explosively if the company’s trading and investment division is engaged. Last year, it transformed its green technology research team to the Green Technology Research Institute after puting in more financial and human resources.

Meanwhile, the company also built a new eco-friendly construction in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province that boasts zero fossil fuel consumption. Dubbed “Green Tomorrow,” the construction incorporates 68 green technologies that are capable of generating electricity or heat using new and renewable energy sources. The building was certified as the highest Platinum level by the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED), an internationally recognized green building certification system based in the United States, a first for a domestic construction. Currently, the company harnesses geothermal energy, photovoltaic generation, solar heating and cooling and wind power. The geothermal system taps underground heat, which remains at 15 centigrade all year round, to boil water and control indoor temperatures. The system was applied to the housing complex “Raemian” in Dalsung, Daegu. More recently, a 255RT (1RT is the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling a room measuring 33 square meters) system was established in Raemian East Palace in Yongin.

Raemian Firstage in Banpo, Seoul, has a small sized photovoltaic generator that provides approximately 12% of the annual electricity consumption. The company also introduced a grey water treatment system that recycles wastewater for use at home, as well as a water recycling system capable of 320 tons of treatment per day in its housing complex in Mokdong and a 50-ton capacity system in another housing complex in Yongsan.

Raemian, a household name of the engineering and construction division of Samsung C&T, has become one of the most favored apartment brands in Korea. It is written as Raemian in Chinese characters, each of which signifies future-centeredness, beauty and safety. During the last decade, the company has built a total of 120 housing complexes nationwide offering residence for 101,600 households. It won first prize at the National Customer Satisfaction Index (NCSI) apartment category for the 11 consecutive year. The brand power of Raemian is evidenced in the fact that it sells at a higher price than other apartments located nearby. For that reason, Samsung C&T cites its premium marketing strategy that makes customers feel proud of their house at every stage, from construction to sales and after-sales. Samsung C&T was the first company in Korea to introduce the brand concept, customer management and after-sales management into apartment construction. This has been the driving force behind the company’s remarkable growth from being a late entrant to an industry leader. Not resting on its laurels, the company plans to nurture Raemian into a representative name for residential towns in Korea based on high recognition and loyalty.