South Korea targets industrial heat decarbonization via high-temperature heat pumps

The South Korean Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment is accelerating the development of industrial-scale heat pump technology to decarbonize the industrial sector, which accounts for approximately 38% of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. During a recent forum, experts and government officials discussed transitioning from fossil fuel boilers to electric-driven heat pumps that can utilize waste heat to produce high-temperature water and steam.

Unlike residential models, these industrial systems operate at the megawatt (MW) scale. Current research and development efforts, supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, include projects to produce water above 100°C using waste heat from the paper industry and developing systems capable of generating steam exceeding 180°C.

The government plans to refine its R&D roadmap and establish specific support measures for heat energy conversion to strengthen industrial competitiveness and meet carbon reduction goals.