Iceland has been an enourmous pioneer to geothermal energy. Geothermal power facilities currently generate 25% of the country’s total electricity production.
What is Geothermal Energy:
Geothermal energy has been around for thousands of years. This process basically is power obtained from the Earth’s internal heat. There is no fuel burned during this process, which is one of the many benefits of geothermal energy. This turmoil energy is held in the rock and fluids underneath the Earth’s crust. There are also downsides to this though, for example the release of hydrogen sulfide. This is a downside because many have describe to the smell being similar to rotten eggs.
Iceland has over 20 active volcanoes and a lot of hot springs and geysers. Its location makes it one of the most tectonically active locations in the world. Plenty of the building and swimming pools are heated with geothermal hot water. Iceland is now the leading exporter of geothermal expertise to the rest of the world, according to the Trade Council of Iceland. In Iceland 99%of its electricity is made from renewable sources, and 30% of that is geothermal.
References:
- http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/iceland-geothermal-power/
- http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/geothermal-profile/