geothermal development and research in iceland - Orkustofnun

1. TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction 6
2. Sustainable Utilization of Geothermal Resources 8
3. The Nature of Geothermal Resources 10
3.1 Geological background 10
3.2 The nature of low-temperature activity 11
3.3 The nature of high-temperature activity 11
4. Development of Utilization 13
4.1 Space heating 14
4.1.1 Fuel for heating houses 14
4.1.2 Oil comes into the picture 14
4.1.3 Electric heating 15
4.1.4 Initial use of geothermal heat 15
4.1.5 Influence of oil on energy prices 15
4.1.6 Benefits of using geothermal heat instead of oil 16
4.1.7 Equalization of energy prices 17
4.1.8 The government’s role in developing geothermal energy 18
4.1.9 Reykjavik District Heating 18
4.1.10 Sudurnes Regional Heating 19
4.2 Electric Power Generation 20
4.2.1 The Krafla Power plant 20
4.2.2 The Svartsengi Power Plant, the Blue Lagoon, and
the Reykjanes Power Plant 21
4.2.3 The Nesjavellir and Hellisheidi Power plants 21
4.2.4 The Husavik Power Plant 21
4.2.5 Geothermal drilling 22
4.2.6 Harnessing deep-seated resources 22
4.3 Other utilization 24
4.3.1 Industrial uses 24
4.3.2 Greenhouses 25
4.3.3 Fish farming 26
4.3.4 Bathing 27
4.3.5 Snow melting 27
4.3.6 Heat pumps 28
5. Institutions and Companies 29
5.1 The National Energy Authority 29
5.2 Iceland GeoSurvey 30
5.3 The United Nations University Geothermal Training Program 31
5.4. International Development Aid 33
5.5 Enex 34
5.6 Export of Know-how 35
6. References 36
6.1 Publications 36
6.2 Home pages 37
6.3 List of figures and tables 37