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2026 Vol.59, Issue 6 Preview Page
Carbon emission reduction contribution analysis of hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity

재생에너지 변동성 대응을 위한 수력 및 양수발전의 탄소배출량 저감 기여분석

Kyungmin Sunga*
성 경민a*
aResearch Fellow, Water Management Division, Korea Environment Institute, Sejong, Korea
a한국환경연구원 물관리연구실 부연구위원
*Corresponding Author
30 June 2026. pp. 589-597
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Abstract

This study quantitatively evaluates the contribution of hydropower and pumped-storage hydropower (PSH) to the decarbonization of the power generation sector in support of South Korea’s carbon neutrality goals. As of 2024, total amount of greenhouse gas emissions in Korea is 691.58 MtCO2-eq, of which the power generation sector accounts for approximately 241.6 MtCO2-eq (about 35%). Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal-fired power plants together contribute approximately 97% of emissions within the power sector. Under these conditions, PSH can reduce carbon emissions by storing surplus renewable electricity and discharging it during peak demand periods, thereby substituting high-carbon thermal generation. The analysis indicates that PSH currently achieves an annual reduction of approximately 3.37 MtCO-eq. When surplus electricity stored by PSH is assumed to be fully supplied by renewable energy sources, the potential reduction increases to approximately 17.12 MtCO-eq, equivalent to about 7% of total power sector emissions. Furthermore, the results suggest optimized time-based operational improvements could enhance effective generation capacity by nearly threefold (from 532 MWh to 1,947 MWh) even under existing installed capacity, indicating substantial untapped potential within the current system. Our findings highlight the significant role of pumped-storage hydropower as a strategic low-carbon infrastructure and demonstrate its future potential to support power sector decarbonization in South Korea.

Keywords
Pumped-storage hydropower (PSH)
Carbon emission reduction
Renewable energy
Carbon neutrality
Power grid stability

본 연구는 한국의 탄소중립 목표 달성을 위한 전력생산 부문의 탈탄소 전략 수립 과정에서 수력 및 양수발전의 기여 효과를 정량적으로 분석하였다. 2024년 기준 우리나라의 총 온실가스 배출량은 692백만 톤(CO2eq)이며, 이 중 전력 생산 부문이 약 242백만 톤으로 전체의 약 35%를 차지한다. 특히 LNG 및 유연탄 발전이 전력 부문 탄소 배출량의 약 97%를 차지하는 구조적 특성을 보이고있다. 이러한 발전 구조하에서 양수발전은 재생에너지의 잉여 전력을 저장하고 전력 수요가 집중되는 피크 시간대에 방전함으로써 고탄소 화력발전의 가동을 대체하는 역할을 수행한다. 분석 결과, 현재 운영 체계 기준으로 양수발전은 연간 약 3백만 톤의 탄소 저감 효과를 나타내는 것으로 산정되었다. 또한 양수발전의 충전 전력이 재생에너지로 공급된다고 가정할 경우, 총 17백 만 톤(전력부문 탄소배출량의 약 7%)의 감축이 가능한 것으로 분석되었다. 더불어 현행 설비 용량 하에서도 시간대별 최적 운영을 통한 효율 개선이 이루어질 경우, 실질적인 저장·발전 역량을 약 3배(532 MWh~1,947 MWh)까지 확대할 수 있는 잠재력이 존재하는 것으로 확인되었다. 본 연구 결과는 양수발전이 전력 부문 탄소저감에 실질적으로 기여하는 전략적인 기반시설임을 제시하며, 탄소중립 목표 달성과 기후변화 대응을 위한 미래 확장 가능성을 강조한다.

키워드
양수발전
탄소배출 저감
재생에너지
탄소중립
전력계통 안정화
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Information
  • Publisher :KOREA WATER RESOURECES ASSOCIATION
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국수자원학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국수자원학회 논문집
  • Volume : 59
  • No :6
  • Pages :589-597
  • Received Date : 2026-03-03
  • Revised Date : 2026-04-19
  • Accepted Date : 2026-04-24
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.3741/JKWRA.2026.59.6.589
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