The First Enhanced Geothermal System Project in Korea

Abstract

The first proof of concept project for geothermal power generation by enhanced geothermal system (EGS) in Pohang, Korea has been started in Dec. 2010. The project aims to construct a MW scale geothermal power plant (GPP) within 5 km depth. A doublet system (one injection and one production wells) will be made at a first stage for the 5 years of the project period due to the limited budget and the period. The project is divided into two stages; the first stage, the first two years, for geothermal exploration for the site and drilling into 3 km deep to figure out the geology and the temperature over 100 oC, and the second stage, the next three years, will be devoted to complete a doublet system of 5 km depth including deep drilling, hydraulic stimulation, circulation test and eventually to construct a binary GPP of MW scale. The bottom hole temperature at 5 km depth is expected to be about 180 oC based on intensive geothermal exploration during the period 2002-2009 by Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). Assuming the flow rate of 40 kg/sec, the net power generation could be 1.5 MWe for the doublet system. NEXGEO consortium with industry, research institutes and university participation is managing the project.