Republic of Korea
Contracting Party: Korea Institute of Geoscience & Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Republic of Korea
Executive Committee Member: Yoonho Song, KIGAM, Republic of Korea
Alternate Member: Tae Jong Lee, KIGAM, Republic of Korea
Geothermal utilization in Korea revolves around geothermal heat pump (GHP) installations with an annual capacity increase of about 100 MWth resulting from an active government subsidy program and a “Mandatory Act” for renewable energy deployment in civic facilities. The total installed GHP capacity is ~1770 MWth at the end of 2023.
IEA Geothermal Group outside Sejong City Hall (2018). Sejong city has several large GHP installations including an installation at the City Hall.
GSHP installations and hybrid system R&D projects in conjunction with solar PV or biomass are being researched looking at the synergies in the use of different renewable energy sources. Underground thermal energy storage is also a topic of interest.
A presentation on 20 years of geothermal activity in the Republic of Korea can be viewed here (URL Link)
