Iceland is the perfect storm of geothermal-fields of energy. Because of the country’s placement over 200 volcanos, when the volcanos are more active heat is produced and rises to the earths surface easily accessible. Iceland is also the most sparsely populated country in Europe with only 325,671 people. These variables makes it easy for Iceland to have more than 25 % of the countries energy rely on geothermal or energy produced by the heat of the earth. Iceland is still conscientious with the rest of the energy supply. About 75% is hydro power and only 1% is fossil fuels making it so they are very environmentally clean and sustainable.
There are five major power stations in Iceland:
- Hellisheiði Power Station (303 MW)
- Reykjanes Power Station (100 MW)
- Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station (120 MW)
- Svartsengi Power Station (76.5 MW)
- Krafla Power Station (60 MW)
The biggest power station is Hellisheiði and is the largest geothermal power station in the world and it has the capacity to produce 303 MW of electricity and 400 MW of hot water. This power station uses two turbines and a low pressure steam turbine to extract thermal energy through pressurized steam.
Iceland uses these stations for direct utilization of the heat generated by powering green houses, heat pumps, heating water for bathing, fishing and even snow melting and about 9/10 households are heated with geothermal energy.
Here is a breakdown of how Iceland uses geothermal directly:
Iceland is now making an effort to sustain utilization, a “stepwise development” has been implemented. This method looks at the individual geothermal systems and assesses the maximum use of the system. It also looks at minimizing long term costs. This has all been thought out to improve sustainability and productivity with each individual power station.
Iceland seems to be really thinking ahead and maintaining their spot as one of the most sustainable countries. In the future they plan a deep drilling project where magma is used to produce even higher energy outputs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellishei%C3%B0i_Power_Station
http://www.nea.is/geothermal/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_power_in_Iceland
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2013/03/geothermal-energy-in-iceland-too-much-of-a-good-thing