Landsvirkjun experts presented the results of geothermal studies at Bali.
At the World Geothermal Congress at Bali in Indonesia there were numerous studies presented and more than 20 lectures were given on Icelandic energy issues.
The World Geothermal Congress 2010 was held at Bali in Indonesia 25 – 30 April of this year. The Congress was a major event where 1050 papers were presented, including 650 with lectures.
Staff of Landsvirkjun Power presented four papers on Landsvirkjun geothermal projects and in addition to this were co-authors on dozens of other papers. Of the projects related to Landsvirkjun activities the most prominent were those that involved deep-drilling projects and research on geothermal areas in North East Iceland.
The President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson,
gave an address at the Congress opening ceremony.
The World Geothermal Congress is held every five years and is the largest event of this kind in the field of geothermal research. It is attended by scientists, engineers, technologists, politicians and representatives of various companies and institutions.
More than one hundred specialist in geothermal science from dozens of countries that have qualified from the University Geothermal Training Programme in Iceland also attended the Congress.
The Icelandic Deep Drilling Project
The Icelandic deep-drilling project is a progressive research and development project that has over the last ten years, aroused interest throughout the world. The idea of drilling deep into the roots of high heat systems in active volcanic areas for liquid at supercritical condition, i.e. at over 370°C and at a pressure of over 220 bar, was first presented publicly at the Geothermal Congress in the year 2000. The positive reactions the idea received there, created the basis for international participation in the project. The work design was presented at the 2005 Congress. It was considered appropriate to provide good information on the deep-drilling bore hole at Krafla at the World Congress at Bali. Two special seminars were dedicated to the project, each with five presentations and one reserve paper and in addition to this three papers were presented at the seminar on drilling. The following papers were presented at Bali.
North East Iceland Project
Since 2005 Landsvirkjun and Þeistareykir ehf, in which Landsvirkjun now owns a 64% holding, have worked in a targeted manner on research and preparation for power stations at geothermal areas in Þingeyjarsýsla because of the possible need to harness power for heavy industry in North East Iceland. The main focus has been on harnessing geothermal power at Bjarnarflag, Krafla, and Þeistareykir, up to 430 MW of electrical power, for the aluminium smelter at Bakki at Húsavík. Should this project come to fruition it would be one of the world's largest geothermal projects which is why it arouses such interest.
Finally one can mention an interesting paper by a committee of Icelandic specialists that have been working on sustainability of harnessing of geothermal power with the aim of assisting the authorities in managing resources. Landsvirkjun specialists have among others, been involved in this work for the past two to three years.