A new era of energy management has begun with the first introduction of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based energy optimization system in a large domestic shopping mall. LF Square Gwangyang Branch, the largest shopping mall in Honam, recently confirmed the introduction of this system, which is expected to reduce energy costs by 10-15% per month while maintaining shopper comfort.

The technology being introduced at LF Square Gwangyang Branch is a 'Self-Demand Response (Self-DR)' based 'Energy as a Service (EaaS)' model. AI analyzes the energy usage patterns of heating, cooling, lighting, and other facilities in real-time, while automatically optimizing energy consumption by considering dynamic factors such as equipment fatigue, usage patterns, and reliability.

The core of this system lies in 'compatibility.' While general energy savings often sacrifice comfort, this technology enables efficient energy management while maintaining customer satisfaction. Plans are in place to optimize distributed resources such as photovoltaics (PV) and energy storage systems (ESS), and to enhance heating and cooling efficiency using large ceiling fans.

The main entities of this project are the AI-based energy management specialist EIPGrid and the ESS operation solution specialist RSTsolutions, participating in the Energy Saver Consortium. Both companies are pursuing this project based on their experience implementing the same AI energy management system at Suncheon St. Carollo Hospital last June. The successful case in an energy-intensive facility like a hospital is being expanded to a large shopping mall. LF Square Gwangyang Branch held a business agreement ceremony with the Energy Saver Consortium at the end of October.

LF Square Gwangyang Branch aims to achieve an average monthly energy cost reduction of 10-15% with the introduction of this system. Additional effects are also anticipated, such as securing incentives from participation in the Korea Power Exchange's demand response (DR) program, safety diagnostics based on facility operation data, and improved operational efficiency.

An official from LF Square Gwangyang Branch stated, "This is a meaningful first step in joining the trend towards a low-carbon society," and expressed expectations that "AI technology will be an important turning point in our shopping mall's energy strategy."

Lee Hwi-seong, CEO of EIPGrid, emphasized, "This is the first case where a shopping mall and a technology company are creating a future-oriented smart shopping mall model together, beyond simply supplying technology," and expressed his ambition to "accelerate the full-scale spread of AI-based energy cost optimization services across public and industrial sectors."

The consortium plans to expand the Self-DR service to energy-intensive industrial facilities such as logistics centers and factories, starting with this project. In the long term, they aim to implement a virtual power plant (VPP) utilizing regional distributed resources in the eastern region of Jeollanam-do.

Specifically, in the first phase, an AI energy-saving model will be established at LF Square Gwangyang Branch, and in the second phase, a method of directly trading power through the distribution network with the nearby Suncheon St. Carollo Hospital will be pursued. Through this, they plan to showcase a case where a regional VPP model is actually implemented.

Jeong Ik-cheol, CEO of RSTsolutions, explained, "It is designed to optimize the operation of production and demand resources using renewable energy and energy storage systems, and to return part of the savings to local social welfare."

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