본문영역

Water, Nature and Humankind
K-water Dictionary
  • K-water introduces digital technology
    in preventing water disasters

    • Written by. Choi Hang-jwa
    • Source by. K-water
  • AI and big data, the key technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution are also used in preventing water disasters. K-water has actively instated smart technology to identify and mitigate dam-related risk factors, and monitor water management in real time so as to ensure reliable water management and keep people safe from water disasters.
Digital Twin

Digital twin creates a virtual or digital copy of a physical object, performs simulation based on data collected from both the virtual & real world, and ultimately helps users make better decisions. On March 11, K-water launched Digital GARAM+, the first digital twin-based water management platform in Korea.

The Korean New Deal

In July 2020, the government announced the Korean New Deal or the Green and Digital New Deal to promote the technology advancement of the economic structure and create sustainable jobs. The Green New Deal aims to achieve the goals of creating jobs and boosting the economy by (i) transforming cities, spaces, and daily life infrastructure to be eco-friendly, (ii) creating the ecosystem for the innovation of green industries, and (iii) responding to climate change and making a shift to a low-carbon, eco-friendly economy through greater use of low-carbon, distributed energy. Key elements of the Digital New Deal designed to forge ahead in the 4th Industrial Revolution based on digital technology include (i) building digital infrastructure including data, 5G mobile communication, and AI, (ii) developing non-contact industries, and (iii) achieving the digitalization of SOC.

The Integrated Water Management Monitoring Center

Leveraging its 50years of water management experiences and know-how, K-water has created the new ICT-based Integrated Water Management Surveillance Center to effectively and efficiently operate and manage water resource facilities across the country and water supply systems run by metropolitan cities and local municipalities.

Smart Dam Safety Management

Smart dam safety management is part of the shift to a digital water management system that employs Industry 4.0 technologies to ensure smart management of the entire water cycle. The Ministry of Environment and K-water plan to jointly implement the smart dam safety management project by 2025, which is expected to significantly enhance dam safety management efficiency and create 1,590 new jobs.

The Dam Safety Management Center

The center acts as a control tower that oversees dam safety management practices by monitoring all the dams and auxiliary facilities through GPS in real time, while incorporating elements of the Digital New Deal such as conducting aerial and underwater facility inspection using drones, into its water management systems and operations. K-water opened the Dam Safety Management Center in December 2020 and proactively introduced K-water style dam safety technologies aligned with the Korean New Deal. With these changes, K-water is now better prepared and equipped to perform the role of a smart dam safety platform that ensures smart dam safety, and offers water-related information to citizens in a more efficient and timely manner.