South Korea expands water sources for renewable heating and cooling

The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment in South Korea expanded the types of water sources eligible for renewable energy status to seven categories. This change takes effect on November 17.

Previously, the government primarily focused on river water for hydrothermal energy, which limited use to areas near dams or large water pipes. The new regulations include groundwater discharge, sewage, treated sewage water, wastewater, treated wastewater, reprocessed sewage and wastewater, and industrial water.

This expansion allows for more widespread use of water heat in urban buildings and inland industrial complexes. Hydrothermal energy uses the fact that water remains cooler than the air in summer and warmer in winter to provide cooling and heating. The ministry says this method can reduce energy consumption by more than 30 percent compared to traditional systems.

Because heat energy accounts for 48 percent of domestic energy consumption and 29 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, the ministry expects these changes to help reduce carbon emissions in the industrial and building sectors. The government estimates that reclaiming heat from the effluent of sewage treatment plants could provide enough energy to supply 3 million households. The ministry plans to find more water sources and launch pilot projects to encourage private investment in urban and industrial areas.