Chungcheongbuk-do, expanding AI data center, challenges new regulation-free special zone

Chungcheongbuk-do is challenging the designation of a new regulation-free special zone to expand hydrothermal energy and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in the region.

According to Chungcheongbuk-do on the 8th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to receive proposals for candidate projects related to 'regulation-free special zones, global innovation regulation-free special zones, and metropolitan-related regulation-free special zones' from this month to April next year for local governments in non-metropolitan areas and select about four suitable projects.

A regulation-free special zone is a ‘regulatory sandbox’ (verification special case/temporary permit) system operated around the region.

When a local government applies for a special zone plan, it consults with the regulatory ministries and grants special regulatory exemptions to businesses participating in new technologies and services within the special zone for a certain period of time.

Afterwards, once safety is confirmed through verification, related regulations are rationalized.

From 2019, when this system was introduced, 57 regulation-free special zones have been designated nationwide, and 63 of the 77 laws that have requested overhaul have been revised through a verification process.

Chungcheongbuk-do proposed an ‘industrial complex edge-type AI data center regulation-free special zone’ through this public offering.

The main tasks are ‘Demonstration of water-thermal cooling in an AI data center using industrial complex purified water and industrial water’ and ‘Demonstration of heat supply using a heat pump from AI data center waste heat.’

Typically, AI data centers require a supply of hydrothermal energy that can handle the cooling load. For this reason, the presence of nearby water resources facilities is considered one of the main considerations when building a data center.

The core of the regulation-free special zone envisioned by Chungcheongbuk-do is to lay the foundation for commercialization of high-efficiency cooling technology by using purified and industrial water generated within the industrial complex to cool the AI ​​data center.

In addition, the plan is to kill two birds with one stone by recycling the waste heat generated in this process and establishing an eco-friendly heat supply business model in the region.

The project site was selected as Osong, Cheongju, where the AI ​​bio data center is scheduled to be built, and Yongtan, Chungju, where industrial complexes are concentrated.

The expected project period is from January 2028 to December 2031, and the total project cost is 24 billion won (14 billion won in national funds, 6 billion won in local funds, and 4 billion won in private funds).

An official from Chungcheongbuk-do said, "If the foundation for commercialization and commercialization of hydrothermal cooling and waste heat utilization technology is established through regulatory special provisions, it can lead to fostering AI and clean energy convergence businesses and strengthening the competitiveness of local companies. We will thoroughly prepare for the written and presentation evaluation of candidate tasks so that we can be finally selected for the contest."