Nakdong River's Water Temperature Drives Agricultural Innovation... Sangju Transforms Smart Farm Heating and Cooling

K-water Renewable Energy Division Head Inspects Project Site
First Nationwide Operation of Water Thermal Energy Model Using Municipal Pipelines

Sangju City is accelerating its strategy to become a 'carbon-neutral leading city' by actively implementing a water thermal energy-based heating and cooling system in smart farms using the water resources of the Nakdong River.

Sangju City (Mayor Kang Youngseok) announced that on January 16, Obong Geun, Head of the Renewable Energy Division at Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water), visited the site of the 'Nakdong River Water Thermal Energy Complex Development Project' to inspect the progress of the project.

Obong Geun, Head of the Renewable Energy Division at Korea Water Resources Corporation, Visits Gyeongbuk Smart Farm Innovation Valley

Water thermal energy is a renewable energy technology that uses water as a heat source by utilizing the characteristic of lower water temperatures than the air in summer and relatively higher water temperatures in winter. Through a heat pump system, it supplies heating and cooling, and is regarded as an eco-friendly alternative that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

Sangju City has introduced water thermal energy into the agricultural sector (smart farms) by combining the abundant water resources of the Nakdong River with existing water intake facility infrastructure. It is particularly significant as it is the first case nationwide where water thermal energy has been applied to large-scale smart farms using municipal pipelines.

This project is being promoted in line with the policies of achieving carbon neutrality and energy transition. With a total project cost of 6 billion won, a 600RT-scale water thermal energy system is currently being supplied to the 2-hectare Smart Farm Innovation Valley. According to Sangju City, this has resulted in energy savings of approximately 790,000 kWh in the year 2025 alone.

Obong Geun, Head of the Renewable Energy Division at K-water, stated, "Sangju City's water thermal energy project is the first exemplary case nationwide of applying water thermal energy to large-scale smart farms using municipal pipelines. It is also an important example that lays the foundation for expanding water thermal energy projects, as it allows for a direct comparison between water thermal and air thermal energy under the same conditions."

He added, "Based on close cooperation, we will continue to ensure stable project implementation and provide technical support."

Kang Youngseok, Mayor of Sangju City, said, "Taking this site visit as an opportunity, we will further strengthen our cooperative framework with K-water and continue to expand renewable energy projects, including water thermal energy. We will not cease our efforts to expand eco-friendly energy infrastructure and become a leading city in carbon neutrality."

Going forward, Sangju City plans to gradually expand the application of water thermal energy to various sectors and to establish a sustainable energy transition model that simultaneously achieves energy savings and strengthens the competitiveness of local industries.