Geothermal Energy in Iceland |
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Monday, 30 March 2009 |
Wouldn't you love to never have to worry about electricity and heating costs? The residents of Iceland have this very luxury around them 24/7. Iceland has a unique geological situation that makes it possible for their heating and electricity to be provided by geothermal energy. The high concentration of volcanoes also enables them to have very cheap energy. It's not unusual to go to certain cities like Akureyri or Reykjavik and see some of the pavements heated in the winter.
Unlike other countries that conserve their energy to avoid high heating and electrical costs, Iceland has no reason to need to conserve the energy or worry about high utility bills. In fact, another common sight to see is residents of Reykjavik having their windows or doors wide open in the winter months, not at all concerned about letting the cold air in or the warm air outside. However, when you're living in a city that has the largest geothermal district heating system in the world, you have no reason to worry.
Not only is their energy cheap but they know they have plenty to go around. Leaving their lights on and their windows open is not only common but also something they seldom consider not doing. While Iceland wasn't always this rich in energy sources, today they get around 78% of their major energy and 99% of their electricity from hydro and geothermal resources.
Iceland has five large geothermal power plants. Around 26% of Iceland's electricity is produced in these plants. Geothermal heating takes care of the hot water and heating requirements of approximately 87% of the buildings in the nation. The five power plants are as follows:
• The Svartsengi Power Plant is located on the Reykjanes peninsula by the International Airport of Keflavik in the south west of Ireland. This power plant and the Nesjavellir are the only two that produce both hot water and electricity. The other three only produce electricity. As of the end of 2007, the Svartsengi produced around 475 liters per second of hot water (90 degrees C) and 76.5 MW (megawatts) of electricity. The Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist bathing resort as well as a nearby lake both get their supply of mineral rich water from surplus water from Svartsengi Power Plant.
• The Nesjavellir Power Plant is near the Pingvallavatn Lake in the south part of Iceland and is capable of producing being 1800 liters per second of hot water and 120 MW electricity.
• The Krafla Power Plant, located on the northeast side of Iceland produces only electricity but at a production of 60MW and increasing more all the time.
• The Rejkjanes Power Plant is on the southwest part of Iceland and has two turbines, which produce 100 MW of electricity.
• The Hellisheiđi Power Plant is located south of the Hengill volcano, produces electricity with two turbines as well, and is still a work in progress.
Iceland uses their geothermal energy for more than just heat and electricity. It's used to help their entire economy by helping with tourism and promoting better health and wellness throughout the country.
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