Due to the special geological location of Iceland, the high concentration of volcanoes in the area are often an advantage in the generation of geothermal energy, the heating and production of electricity. During winter, pavements near these areas (such as Reykjavík and Akureyri) are heated up.
Five major geothermal power plants exist in Iceland, which produce approximately 24% (2008) of the nation's energy. In addition, geothermal heating meets the heating and hot water requirements of approximately 87% of all buildings in Iceland. Apart from geothermal energy, 75.4% of the nations energy was generated by hydro power, and 0.1% from fossil fuels.[1]
Consumption of primary geothermal energy in 2004 was 79.7 Petajoules (PJ), approximately 53.4% of the total national consumption of primary energy, 149.1 PJ. The corresponding share for hydro power was 17.2%, petroleum was 26.3%, and coal was 3%.[2] Plans are underway to turn Iceland into a 100% fossil-fuel-free nation in the near future.[3] The following are the five largest power stations in Iceland. The first two produce both electricity and hot water, whereas the other three produce only electricity:
- Svartsengi Power Station
- Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station
- Krafla Power Station
- Hellisheiði Power Station
- Reykjanes Power Station
See also
References
- ^ http://www.landsvirkjun.is/starfsemin/raforkuvinnsla/
- ^ "Energy in Iceland - Historical Perspective, Present Status, Future Outlook". Orkustofnun (Iceland Energy Authority). http://www.os.is/Apps/WebObjects/Orkustofnun.woa/swdocument/932/EnergyinIceland.pdf. Retrieved 2006-09-20.
- ^ "Energy Statistics in Iceland". Orkustofnun (Iceland Energy Authority). http://www.os.is/Apps/WebObjects/Orkustofnun.woa/swdocument/3879/Orkut%C3%B6lur+enska+2005.pdf. Retrieved 2006-09-20.
External links
- Iceland Energy Authority
- More information about Svartsengi power-plant
- More information about Nesjavellir power-plant
- More information about Krafla power-plant
- More information about Hellisheidi power-plant
- Photo Geothermal power station Svartsengi
- Photos of Geothermal power plants at Reykjanes & Svartsengi
- Tiroler Bildungsservice
- Mannvit Engineering of Iceland
- RES - School for Renewable Energy Science in Iceland
- Keilir - Atlantic Center of Excellence
- Icelandic GeoSurvey
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