Recent Progress of Low Temperature Geothermal Development in Korea

Abstract

Geothermal utilization in Korea has been of direct-use, mainly in public baths with low-temperature geothermal water from wells to deeply-connected fractures. Since 2002, government R&D investments on geothermal development are increasing. There is an on-going program to develop deep geothermal water in the Southeastern part of Korea. The pilot drilling showed a geothermal gradient of 40°C/km and existence of several permeable zones related with fracture systems and a production well down to 2 km deep is under development for the purpose of district heating usage. Geological and geophysical investigations for several candidate sites for geothermal developments are also ongoing. Geothermal heat pump installation is increasing rapidly and the government supports research on the thermal characteristics of subsurface materials and groundwater thermal energy utilization techniques, as well. R&D activities are expected to continue to increase thanks to high public awareness on the importance of renewable energy and the recent high oil-price situation.