Geothermal Energy – Energy Source for the DPR Korea?

Geothermal energy is produced below the earth’s crust and regarded as a sustainable, renewable and clean source of energy. Since it reduces dependency on fossil fuel imports and can be found almost anywhere the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been seeking to further explore this technology to meet its increasing demand for energy. In August, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) invited a delegation of DPRK scientists and engineers to Germany to learn more about various practical aspects of geothermal energy. This study tour was a follow-up of a seminar on geothermal energy for North Korean experts in Pyongyang that was co-organized by FNF in November 2011. During their stay in Germany, the group from the DPRK was accompanied by a technical expert from the Network of Geothermal Energy NRW. 

The program of the one-week study tour included visits of several sites of electricity production and heating systems in Bavaria and North Rhine Westphalia (NRW). Although there are no areas with active volcanoes in Germany there are less seismically regions where heat is continually supplied. The milder heat can be tapped at depths between three and some hundred meters below the surface, and can be used for heating and/or cooling buildings.

In the vicinity of the Bavarian capital Munich geothermal energy is used for electricity generation. The DPRK delegation visited geothermal plants in Unterhaching, Aschheim and Erding where geological conditions are suitable for geothermal energy generation. Since capital costs for developing geothermal power (drilling, construction of plant etc.) are still significant three municipalities in Unterhaching joined forces to share the financial burden and construct a geothermal power plant. From a depth of 3000 meters 150 liters of hot thermal water per second is pumped to the surface and generates about 3.4MW electricity as well as 38MW thermal power. Thanks to this geothermal project the three municipalities are almost completely independent from external sources of energy. In North Rhine Westphalia, the DPRK delegation visited the innovation center for heat pumps in Wiesenbusch Gladbeck, the NRW Institute for Geological Research, and the International Geothermal Center in Bochum where it also had the opportunity to inspect a borehole and drilling site.

Apart from procedural and technical issues the DPRK delegation also talked about Germany’s energy turnaround and future energy policy. Representatives of the Bavarian Ministry of Economy stressed that for Germany nuclear energy is no longer an option. The trust of German citizens in the safety of nuclear plants has dramatically diminished after the nuclear disaster in Fukushima in March 2011; in addition, problems of nuclear waste management are still unsolved. The German government has therefore decided to switch off all nuclear reactors by 2022 while increasing the energy production by renewable energies. Although solar and wind energy represents the major share, geothermal energy will also play an increasing role. It has to be seen whether North Korea can make use of its natural, geological conditions and use its potential for continuous energy supply.