Nesjavellir Geothermal Plant in Iceland

Nesjavellir Geothermal Plant generates electricity and hot water by utilizing geothermal water and steam. It is the second largest geothermal power station in Iceland. The station produces approximately 120MW of electrical power, and delivers around 1,800 litres (480 US gal) of hot water per second, servicing the hot water needs of the Greater Reykjavik Area. The facility is located 177 m (581 ft) above sea level in the southwestern part of the country, near the Hengill Volcano.

Unique identifier: GP02A2B

Type: Image

Shoot date: 06/12/2010

Locations: Hengill Volcano, Iceland, Northern Europe, Reykjanes

Credit line: © Steve Morgan / Greenpeace

Ranking: ★★★★ (E)

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Icelandic Geothermal Power Plants

Geothermal resources have been used for over 70 years in Iceland. Reykjanes is a peninsula and a volcanic system situated at the south-western end of Iceland, near the capital of Reykjavík. The geothermal area at Reykjanes is located on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, formed by plate tectonics that are moving in separate directions. That gives high geothermal energy, with the Reykjanes area being where the plate boundary of the Reykjanes Ridge comes on land. The area is about 2km2 in size. Iceland's power supply went from 75% imported coal to more than 80% local geothermal and hydro in 30 years. Iceland has a goal to be a carbon-free and oil-free country by 2050. Geothermal power generation causes virtually no pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. It's also quiet, and extremely reliable. Unfortunately, even in many countries with abundant geothermal reserves, this proven renewable energy source is being massively under utilised.

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