Iceland is widely recognized as the land of ice and fire: The ice comes from the large percentage of glaciers covering the country but the fire comes from the great volcanic and geothermal energy that nests in its grounds. This activity is caused by Iceland’s geological location but it is situated right above the meeting of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. This location is very influential to Iceland and serves the country with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions but, there is also a positive side to it.
The History Of Geothermal Energy In Iceland
Icelanders have, almost since settlement, used geothermal sources to bathe and cook but the first recorded use of geothermal energy in Iceland is from the year 1907.
It was then 27 years later the first pipelines were constructed in Reykjavík and after World War II Orkustofnun (National Energy Authority) carried out research and began development which eventually led to Iceland’s breakthrough in using geothermal energy as their primary energy source. The big push came in the 1970s when an oil crisis hit resulting in a need to switch out coal and oils for a more renewable source. It seems to have dawned upon Icelanders that the country was located in a geothermal field and that it would only require minimal drilling to reach a prime energy source. This would of course also mean that Icelanders would no more be dependent upon other countries for their heating which was a very positive fact given that the country stands alone in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. Today Iceland has a 99.96% renewable energy supply and has even started to share its knowledge with other countries looking to do the same.
How Does Iceland Use Its Geothermal Energy?
- For heating spaces and houses
- To generate electricity
- To heat up Iceland’s many geothermal spas and pool
- To warm up streets so they don’t get slippery in winter
- For greenhouses, so we can grow organic fruits and vegetables
- To produce aluminum
What Percent Of Geothermal Energy Is Used In Iceland?
Over 85% of all houses in Iceland are heated with renewable energy sources, thereof are 66% geothermal. Five major geothermal power plants are active in Iceland. Those five plants also produce a little over 26% of the electricity used in Iceland. The vast majority of the nation’s electricity is generated by hydropower (waterfalls and steam) 73,8% to be exact. Only 0,1% is produced with fossil fuel. Between the years 1990 and 2014, Iceland’s geothermal electricity production grew by 1700% which is an outstanding number given that the population only grew 25%. The answer is found in the growth in aluminum production in the country but it is believed to take up 70% of the electricity.
Source: adventures.is
