Reykjanes Geothermal Plant in Iceland

The pioneering Reykjanes Geothermal Power Plant uses steam and brine from a reservoir at 290 to 320°C, which is extracted from 12 wells that are 2700 meters deep. This is the first time that geothermal steam of such high temperature has been used for electrical generation. The Reykjanes Geothermal Power Plant generates 100 MWe from two 50 MWe turbines, with an expansion plan to increase this by an additional 50 MWe by the end of 2010.

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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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Unique identifier: GP02A1Y

Type: Image

Shoot date: 05/12/2010

Locations: Iceland, Northern Europe, Reykjanes

Size: 5616px × 3744px 5.39 MB

Ranking: ★★★★★★ (B)