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Research Paper

Applicability of Gravity Energy Storage Facilities and Analysis of Associated Renewable Energy Generation Potential for Abandoned Mines in North Korea

북한 폐광산의 중력에너지 저장 시설로의 활용 가능성과 연계 재생에너지 발전 잠재량 분석

Jiyoon Ku1
,
Il-Seok Kang1
,
Ji-Won Choi1
,
Junsu Leem1
,
Jae-Joon Song23
,
Hyeong-Dong Park23*
구 지윤1
,
강 일석1
,
최 지원1
,
임 준수1
,
송 재준23
,
박 형동23*
1Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
2Department of Energy Resources Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
3Research Institute of Energy and Resources, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
1서울대학교 에너지시스템공학부
2서울대학교 에너지자원공학과
3서울대학교 에너지자원신기술연구소
*Corresponding Author
28 February 2024. pp. 33-42
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Abstract

The abandoned mines in North Korea pose substantial environmental threats. When converted into gravity energy storage (GES) facilities, mining pollution can be reduced, local welfare can be improved, and the possibility of military exploitation can be lowered. This study evaluated the conversion of these mines, using the sites and surrounding materials as the weights. Integrating this system with renewable energy sources, the intermittency challenges of renewable energy were addressed, while promoting ecofriendliness and energy independence. Geographic information systems (GIS) analysis was employed to assess the solar and wind energy generation capacity in adjacent areas. The potential energy capacity of GES facilities, planned for installation across 212 North Korea mines, is estimated at 7.3 MWh, with an average annual potential of 1,098 MWh for wind power and 178 MWh for solar power. These findings underscore the potential gains by repurposing North Korea's abandoned mines for energy storage and renewable energy generation.

Keywords
gravity energy storage
abandoned North Korean mines
renewable energy
solar energy
wind energy

북한 폐광산은 광해의 발생 정도가 심각하며, 핵실험 등과 같은 군사적인 목적으로 활용이 가능해 한반도 평화에 위험요소로 작용 가능하다. 에너지 저장시설과 같이 북한 폐광산을 평화적 용도로 활용함으로써, 폐광산 주변 지역의 광해 방지와 주민 복지 증진, 군사적 활용 가능성의 선제적인 차단 효과를 기대할 수 있다. 본 연구는 이러한 광산을 중력에너지 저장(Gravity Energy Storage, GES) 시설로 전환하는 가능성을 평가하였다. 에너지 저장 시스템과 재생 에너지원을 통합함으로써, 재생에너지의 간헐적 공급 문제를 해결하고 친환경성 및 에너지 자립성을 강화할 수 있다. 연구에서는 GES로 활용할 수 있는 광산 인근 지역에서 태양광과 풍력 재생에너지의 잠재량을 자원량과 설치 적합지 분석을 통해 파악하였다. 북한 내 212개의 광산에 GES 시설의 평균 잠재 에너지량은 연간 7.3 MWh로 추정되며, 풍력 발전의 연간 평균 잠재량은 1,098 MWh, 태양광 발전의 평균 잠재량은 178 MWh로 나타났다. 이 연구는 북한의 폐광산을 에너지 저장 및 재생에너지 발전의 용도로 재활용할 수 있는 잠재력을 강조한다.

키워드
중력에너지저장
북한 폐광산
재생에너지
태양광 에너지
풍력 에너지
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국자원공학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국자원공학회지
  • Volume : 61
  • No :1
  • Pages :33-42
  • Received Date : 2024-01-29
  • Revised Date : 2024-02-15
  • Accepted Date : 2024-02-27
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.32390/ksmer.2024.61.1.033
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