Geothermal Energy in Iceland
Kaeo Ahu CEE 491 Spring 2009 Final Presentation HISTORY & BACKGROUND Iceland is the 2nd largest island in Europe Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, near the Arctic Circle Has unique geological conditions Lies on the boundary of two tectonic plates called the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Also lies above a hot-spot called the Icelandic Plume Creating the availability of geothermal resources HISTORY & BACKGROUND Iceland’s first settlers used geothermal springs for bathing, cooking & laundering Iceland’s capital named Reykjavik or “Smokey Bay ” after the “smokey ” steam from hot springs 1755-1756: First wells for hot water in Reykjavik and Krisuvik 1907: Farmer conveyed steam through concrete pipe to heat home 1920s: First boreholes drilled for water to heat spaces 1930: First building to be heated by geothermal water - Austurbacjarskoli, a primary school HISTORY & BACKGROUND 1940s: State Electricity Authority established 1970s: Rise in oil prices Beginning of geothermal power plant construction USES & TECHNOLOGY Main uses are to produce & provide the country with: Electricity Heat Hot water USES & TECHNOLOGY Bore holes are drilled to capture steam from the earth and volcanoes
The steam flows through pipes to the power plants, turning turbines to create electricity
Steam also flow through pipes to heat buildings and water MAGNITUDES & COSTS Iceland has five major geothermal power plants (GPP) Two produce electric and thermal energy Three produce only electricity Together provides 27% of country’s electricity and heat & hot water to 87% of the country
Electricity (Mwe)Thermal (MWt) Svartsengi Power-Plant 76.5 80 Nesjavellir Power-Plant 120 400 Krafla Power-Plant 60 Reykjanes Power-Plant 100 Hellisheidi Power-Plant 214 MAGNITUDES & COSTS Capital costs of GPPs tend to be high Exploring resources have high financial risks Drilling accounts for most of cost(s) of GPPs General construction costs 2-5 million € per MW of capacity ($2.7-$6.7 million) $1.14 - $2.85 billion (Electric) $960 million - $2.4 billion (Thermal) General operational costs 0.04-0.10 € per kWh SOCIAL & ECONOMIC BENEFITS Global leaders in renewable energy Partnerships around the world to share expertise and developments “Unlimited” resources Exploration of uses of hydrogen Hydrogen stations SOCIAL & ECONOMIC BENEFITS Recreation & Tourism Blue Lagoon and other spas Whale watching Oil boats used due to less oil importing Sight seeing Geysers WHAT MAKES THIS “GREEN”? Use of natural resources Unlimited Renewable No air pollution No green house gases emission WHAT MAKES THIS “GREEN”? Less use of coal & oil Plans for 100% fossil-fuel free PROBLEMS & CHALLENGES Financial risks in exploring deep resources Drilling bore holes extremely dangerous Explosion in 1970s created Crater Viti or “Manmade Hell” Thank You!