The utility HS Orka, which operates geothermal power plants on Reykjanes peninsula, has announced plans to move into wind power. Currently wind power generates only a tiny fraction of the energy needs of Icelanders. With few unexploited geothermal areas left wind power becomes more feasible. The utility believes that wind power will become increasingly important for Iceland as energy needs increase.
HS Orka is an electrical utility which operates two geothermal power plants, Svartsengi power plant by the Blue Lagoon and the Reykjanes power plant. The utility is engaged in experimental deep drilling at the Reykjanes power plant, attempting to drill deeper to reach superheated steam which can dramatically increase the energy output of boreholes.
Read more: New borehole on Reykjanes peninsula promises to revolutionize geothermal power
In addition to harnessing untapped geothermal energy from deep in the earth's crust the utility now wants to harness one of the greatest untapped energy sources in Iceland: The wind.
Wind has not been used for power generation in Iceland because it has not been competitive with other forms of renewable energy. Geothermal and hydropower, which together generate 99.99% of all electricity produced in Iceland, have been so cheap and plentiful that it has not made sense to erect windparks. Falling prices of wind power have changed this, Ásgeir Margerisson, the CEO of HS Orka told the local newspaper Fréttablaðið.
Read more: Iceland meets only 0.01% of it's electricity needs with fossil fuels, 99.99% from renewables
Reykjanes peninsula is ideal for wind power generation, Ásgeir told Fréttablaðið. The peninsula is very windy and close to industry and the largest urban markets.
The utility HS Orka, which operates geothermal power plants on Reykjanes peninsula, has announced plans to move into wind power. Currently wind power generates only a tiny fraction of the energy needs of Icelanders. With few unexploited geothermal areas left wind power becomes more feasible. The utility believes that wind power will become increasingly important for Iceland as energy needs increase.
HS Orka is an electrical utility which operates two geothermal power plants, Svartsengi power plant by the Blue Lagoon and the Reykjanes power plant. The utility is engaged in experimental deep drilling at the Reykjanes power plant, attempting to drill deeper to reach superheated steam which can dramatically increase the energy output of boreholes.
Read more: New borehole on Reykjanes peninsula promises to revolutionize geothermal power
In addition to harnessing untapped geothermal energy from deep in the earth's crust the utility now wants to harness one of the greatest untapped energy sources in Iceland: The wind.
Wind has not been used for power generation in Iceland because it has not been competitive with other forms of renewable energy. Geothermal and hydropower, which together generate 99.99% of all electricity produced in Iceland, have been so cheap and plentiful that it has not made sense to erect windparks. Falling prices of wind power have changed this, Ásgeir Margerisson, the CEO of HS Orka told the local newspaper Fréttablaðið.
Read more: Iceland meets only 0.01% of it's electricity needs with fossil fuels, 99.99% from renewables
Reykjanes peninsula is ideal for wind power generation, Ásgeir told Fréttablaðið. The peninsula is very windy and close to industry and the largest urban markets.
