Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Energy to host '2026 Seoul Future Energy Forum' on Oct. 28 at Coreana Cosmetics Hotel
Forum to address distributed power, clean heat and building energy transition in search of carbon-neutrality solutions for a major metropolis
Heat pumps, unused thermal energy and zero-energy buildings among key topics
Experts in electricity, thermal energy and buildings will gather to discuss Seoul's energy transition at an upcoming forum.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Energy will host the "2026 Seoul Future Energy Forum" on Oct. 28 at the Gloria Hall of Coreana Cosmetics Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Held under the theme "From Power to Heat: A New Transition for Urban Energy," the forum was organized to explore future energy strategies suited to Seoul's conditions by extending energy policy beyond electricity to cover thermal energy and the building sector. Experts, policymakers and industry representatives will take part to discuss practical measures connecting policy, technology and on-the-ground implementation.
The keynote address will be delivered by Park Jong-bae, a professor at Konkuk University, on the topic of "Seoul's Future Energy Strategy." He is expected to diagnose the city's low power self-sufficiency rate and its dependence on external transmission networks, and to propose ways to build an energy-independent city through AI-based efficiency improvements and the expansion of distributed power sources.
Thematic presentations will then examine specific challenges in distributed power, thermal energy and building energy transition.
Yoon Jae-ho, a professor at Korea Institute of Energy Technology, will speak on "The Future of Distributed Power and the Electricity Market," covering changes and challenges in energy supply and trading systems as distributed power sources expand.
Oh Se-shin, a researcher at the Korea Energy Economics Institute, will present on "The New Role of Thermal Energy in the Age of Carbon Neutrality," outlining ways to use clean heat sources — including heat pumps, unused thermal energy and district heating — and proposing policy and regulatory improvements for decarbonizing thermal energy.
Won Jong-yeon, chief executive of Ned, will speak on "Building Energy Transition and the Future of Cities," introducing carbon-neutrality strategies for the building sector, including the expansion of zero-energy buildings and green remodeling. He plans to explain how energy transition can scale from individual buildings to entire cities, drawing on examples involving renewable energy such as solar and geothermal power, district heating integration and zero-energy specialized urban districts.
Following the presentations, Ahn Young-hwan, a professor at Sookmyung Women's University, will chair a general discussion on "The Transition of Thermal Energy for Urban Decarbonization."
Panelists will include Lee So-yeon, head of the green energy division at the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Climate and Environment Bureau; Choi Sung-woo, head of the renewable energy division at Seoul Energy; Yoo Jeong-min, a researcher at the Seoul Institute; Lee Gwang-ho, a professor at the Korea Geothermal and Water Thermal Energy Society; Hong Hee-gi, a professor at the Korea Mechanical Construction Association; and representatives from Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.
Participants are expected to discuss regulatory improvements and technology applications to expand the supply of renewable heat, as well as public-private cooperation, and to explore policy directions suited to Seoul's energy demand and urban environment.
Seoul Energy said the forum would provide an opportunity to examine the full scope of urban energy transition — covering not only electricity but also heat and buildings — and to give concrete shape to Seoul's future energy policy.
The forum is open to anyone with an interest in energy. Pre-registration is available on the event website, though walk-in attendance on the day is also welcome.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
