Visit to DATA CENTER GAK Chuncheon

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By: Junho Jeong, KGGTF 2025 Youth Intern

 

On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the KGGTF Youth Internship Program visited DATA CENTER GAK Chuncheon, a data center of an industry leading search engine and service provider NAVER (www.naver.com). During this two hour visit program, participants were introduced to cutting-edge green technology applied to the data center, and NAVER’s commitment to the green growth.

Highlighting DATA CENTER GAK CHUNCHEON

Established in 2013 in Gangwon, South Korea, GAK Chuncheon is the first independent data center among South Korea’s Internet portal companies. The name "GAK" originates from Janggyeonggak, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has preserved the Tripitaka Koreana for over 500 years. Inspired by the traditional approach of using building materials and the natural environment to protect valuable data, NAVER has adopted a sustainable, eco-friendly philosophy in the design and operation of Data Center GAK. Designed to set new standards in sustainability and energy efficiency, the data center minimizes its environmental footprint while ensuring high-performance and stable infrastructure.

Green Technology and Sustainability

GAK Chuncheon integrates various green technologies to optimize energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The data center actively utilizes solar and geothermal energy to reduce energy consumption, with solar panels further lowering greenhouse gas emissions. It maintains an impressive Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of approximately 1.1x, demonstrating high operational efficiency. The center prioritizes sustainability by reducing approximately 15,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, which is equivalent to planting 2.25 million trees. Additionally, it implements water-saving sanitary fixtures, evaporative humidifiers, and rainwater storage systems to support landscaping, firefighting, and facility operations. As a result of these initiatives, GAK Chuncheon has achieved LEED Platinum certification, the highest rating for environmentally responsible buildings, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

Innovative Architectural Design

GAK Chuncheon’s architectural design is optimized to harmonize with its natural surroundings while enhancing energy efficiency. The V-shaped building layout maximizes airflow, naturally cooling servers and reducing reliance on artificial cooling systems. Louvers are strategically placed to block direct sunlight, further improving cooling efficiency. The terraced, low-rise structure blends with nature, enhances fire and earthquake resistance, and simplifies the network layout for better operational management. Additionally, over half of the rooftop is covered with trees and grass, reducing heat absorption in summer and retaining warmth in winter, thereby lowering energy consumption and preventing the heat island effect. To further enhance energy efficiency, NAVER has developed proprietary server racks that optimize server density, and the custom-designed NAVER Air Membrane Unit (NAMU) cooling system maximizes the cooling effect of natural airflow, requiring artificial cooling for only about 35 days per year.

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                                                                Figure 2 NAMU, a custom-designed cooling system

 

Energy Efficiency and Operational Stability

To ensure reliable service and operational efficiency, GAK Chuncheon operates an independent Green Energy Control Center and an IT Service Control Center. The Green Energy Control Center monitors and manages energy consumption within the facility, while the IT Service Control Center detects and resolves service issues across NAVER’s 600+ web and mobile services. The data center’s uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system enables continuous operation even during power outages, providing up to 72 hours of backup power. The facility receives up to 40,000 kW of electricity from two substations within a 10 km radius, ensuring a stable power supply.

Through its advanced sustainability measures, energy-efficient infrastructure, and innovative architectural design, GAK Chuncheon represents a forward-thinking approach to eco-friendly data center management. By leveraging natural cooling, renewable energy, and cutting-edge operational strategies, NAVER sets a new benchmark for environmentally responsible and highly efficient data infrastructure, paving the way for a more sustainable digital future.

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                                                                Figure 3 Data center GAK Chuncheon (Source: NAVER)

 

NAVER’s commitment to data sovereignty and going green

Even with its late start, Naver has grown into a global technology company, surpassing 10 trillion KRW in annual revenue and expanding its services to over 200 offerings. Originally established as a search engine company, Naver has evolved into a comprehensive digital platform encompassing e-commerce, AI, cloud computing, and digital content services. As one of the few independent search engine providers worldwide, Naver plays a crucial role in maintaining digital sovereignty, ensuring that data remains under national control rather than being dominated by foreign tech giants. Dong A Lim, NAVER Green Partnership Leader mentioned "If Naver disappears from the market, we would lose control over our data." This principle is deeply embedded in the company's infrastructure development, particularly in its data centers, which are designed to uphold self-reliance and security. These efforts also have led to successful launch of global services and platforms including digital twin of Saudi Arabia.

In addition to its technological independence, Naver is dedicated to environmental sustainability, implementing green technologies to minimize its ecological footprint. The company has proactively integrated solar and geothermal energy solutions into its data centers, significantly reducing carbon emissions. Naver's environmental efforts are structured around three key areas: climate change, resource circulation, and biodiversity. To address climate change, the company prioritizes the transition to renewable energy, implements internal carbon pricing systems, and actively reduces emissions through efficient building design and operational strategies. It also enhances resource circulation by promoting recycling initiatives and incorporating sustainable technologies into its operations. Additionally, Naver contributes to biodiversity conservation by assessing the environmental impact of its corporate sites and identifying improvement points. Through collaborations with organizations such as the Ministry of Environment, the Korea Forest Service, and the National Institute of Ecology, Naver integrates protected species databases into its services, further strengthening its environmental responsibility.

Although it is a challenge of Naver, just as it is for any other companies in the same field to further curb carbon emissions with the increasing use of data by users in the era of Ai, Naver continues to seek solutions in this area with its commitment extending beyond energy efficiency, as it actively participates in carbon reduction initiatives, green supply chain management, and partnerships with global environmental organizations. Water recycling systems, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable building designs further reinforce dedication to an eco-friendly digital infrastructure. With a long-term vision of achieving carbon negativity by 2040, Naver continues to lead in sustainable digital transformation and environmental responsibility for the future.

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Figure 4 Dong A Lim, NAVER Green Partnership Leader giving introduction of NAVER's green efforts to KGGTF interns  (Photo: Injun Song)