한국지열·수열에너지학회논문집 (Journal of the Korean Society for Geothermal and Hydrothermal Energy)

  • 제21권4호
  • /
  • Pages.9-25
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  • 2025
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  • 2799-4783(pISSN)
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  • 2799-4805(eISSN)
한국지열·수열에너지학회 (Korean Society for Geothermal and Hydrothermal Energy)
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해외 개방형 지열시스템 사례를 통한 국내 적용방식 및 대수층 특성 고찰

Review of International Open-Loop Geothermal Systems for Analyzing Domestic Implementation Conditions and Aquifer Characteristics

  • 심병완 (한국지질자원연구원 지구환경연구본부)
  • 투고 : 2025.08.13
  • 심사 : 2025.11.17
  • 발행 : 2025.12.01
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초록

To mitigate significant energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from building heating and cooling, technologies leveraging subsurface geothermal energy are gaining prominence. Open-loop geothermal systems, in particular, offer high thermal efficiency by utilizing groundwater as a heat exchange medium and facilitate large-scale seasonal thermal energy storage (STES) through injection and recovery. This study classifies various open-loop geothermal system types, including Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES), Standing Column Well (SCW), Groundwater Heat Pump (GWHP), and mine-water utilization. It then critically reviews major international case studies from leading countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. The analysis reveals a strong correlation between favorable hydrogeological characteristics (e.g., aquifer conditions, hydraulic conductivity, natural groundwater flow) and the technical viability of open-loop systems (e.g., heat recovery efficiency, groundwater level management, water quality impacts). While open-loop geothermal system adoption in South Korea has been limited compared to closed-loop ground heat exchangers, interest is rapidly growing, especially for renewable water source energy projects in groundwater-rich regions. This study proposes tailored application strategies for South Korea: implementing ATES pilot projects in areas with abundant groundwater; utilizing mine water for data center cooling in abandoned mining regions; and deploying SCW systems in greenhouse-dense zones that require significant groundwater use. These proposals aim to advance the energy efficiency and environmental benefits of open-loop geothermal systems in South Korea. Furthermore, they seek to provide foundational data to inform policy improvements, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and drive technological development, thereby positioning open-loop geothermal energy as a competitive and vital component of the nation's sustainable energy future.

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과제정보

본 연구는 한국지질자원연구원 지하수자원 및 환경연구센터 기본사업 '지속가능한 지하수 최적 활용·보전관리 고도화 기술 개발(25-3411)'의 지원에 의하여 수행되었음.

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