Iceland estimates utilizable geothermal resources of 4,300 MW
Alexander Richter
8 Jan 2010
New estimates by the Energy Authority of Iceland show that it is possible to utilize 4,300 MW for geothermal electricity generation within the next 50 years from known high temperature areas in the country.
In a release the Energy Authority of Iceland (Orkustofnun) announces that it has a done a new study that estimates the utilizable geothermal resource base for electricity generation. Based on the study, the authority estimates that it is possible to utilize 4,300 MW for geothermal electricity generation within the next 50 years from known high temperature areas in Iceland.
This translates to around 35 TWh in annual electricity production. In comparison, in 2008 electricity of 4 TWh was generated from geothermal power plants in Iceland.
The Energy Authority’s figures show the expected minimum output and the maximum capacity for individual regions.
The potential of high temperature areas is an estimated based on comprehensive measurements and observations of surface evidence. These high temperature systems are a formulation of high heat layers at around 800 meters depth, where the temperature has probably reached over 230 centigrades (446 degrees Fahrenheit). The assessment of performance is then based on the transfer of flat performance with a volume of process from the four selected high temperature areas over all regions.
The assessment given, can not provide a certain performance until actual development of the fields and also includes areas of high temperature that might never be developed based on environmental protection and other considerations.
Authors of the report were Jónas Ketilsson from the Energy Authority, as well as Hedinn Björnsson, Saeunn Halldorsdottir and Gudni Axelsson from Iceland GeoSurvey (ISOR).”
Source: Orkustofnun, actual pdf document
