Geothermal Energy and Future Opportunities

Landsvirkjun, a key sponsor, played a significant role in the success of the Iceland Geothermal Conference (IGC) 2024. The conference, held at the Harpa Conference Centre in Reykjavík from 28 to 30 May, drew a diverse crowd of over 600 registered participants from more than 50 countries. Organised by the Iceland Renewable Energy Cluster (IREC), the IGC is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the world's largest international conferences on geothermal utilisation. The IGC, typically held every two to three years since its inception in 2010, saw its last edition in 2018, as the World Geothermal Conference was hosted in Iceland in 2021.

This year, we had a strong representation with over 20 employees from our operational units in the capital area, Akureyri, and the Mývatn area. After the conference, guests were offered a geothermal field visit organised in collaboration with IREC.

Rósbjörg Jónsdóttir, IREC’s managing director, led the conference, but IREC is a partnership between Icelandic companies in the energy sector. Delegates in the IGC Conference Committee were Alma Stefánsdóttir (Landsvirkjun), Arna Pálsdóttir (Reykjavík Energy), Birta Kristín Helgadóttir (Efla Consulting Engineers), Bjarni Gautason (ÍSOR), Carine Chatenay (Verkís Consulting Engineers), Friðrik Ómarsson (COWI), Hörður Harðarson (Arctic Green Energy), Katrín Ragnarsdóttir (COWI), and Vala Hjörleifsdóttir (Reykjavík University).

Alma Stefánsdóttir, Bjarni Gautason, Carine Chatenay, Vala Hjörleifsdóttir, Birta Kristín Helgadóttir, Hörður Harðarson, Katrín Ragnarsdóttir, Arna Pálsdóttir, Friðrik Ómarsson og Rósbjörg Jónsdóttir.

Guðjón Helgi Eggertsson, our Department of Geothermal Operation and Resources Specialist, comprehensively represented the development of geothermal competitiveness, the challenges and opportunities of geothermal utilisation, and how new technological solutions positively impact the development of geothermal utilisation. Guðjón also highlighted a surge in innovation in different fields worldwide and how many factors can support growth and sustainable utilisation of resources in various conditions. The prospect of new projects in the geothermal field is fascinating, sparking a sense of anticipation and optimism for the industry's future.

Guðjón Helgi Eggertsson

Alma Stefánsdóttir, our Department of Geothermal Development Specialist, moderated a session on the interplay between food security, production, and geothermal utilisation. Speakers at the session further discussed opportunities in geothermal utilisation in food production, domestically and globally, emphasising the positive social- and environmental impact of geothermal utilisation. Case studies on the diversity of utilisation were also discussed, and the common denominator was that geothermal energy is not only an energy source but an incentive for transformation and that the geothermal sector could be a global leader in sustainable food production to ensure food security.

Alma Stefánsdóttir

Haraldur Hallgrímsson, Director of Business Development and Innovation, moderated a direct and multiple utilisation session. Discussions followed on the various opportunities and positive impacts of direct utilisation of geothermal heat over energy generation on the environment and community. Speakers also discussed domestic and global case studies and cross-sector opportunities.

Haraldur Hallgrímsson

From left: Anyela Murillo Arroyo, Specialist at Costa Rican Institute of Electricity; Haraldur Hallgrímsson, Director of Business Development and Innovation at Landsvirkjun; Hlín Vala Aðalsteinsdóttir, Mechanical Engineer at Verkís Consulting Engineers; Helga Kristín Jóhannsdóttir, Business Development Manager at ON Power; Nor Binti Ismail, Head Business Services at Petra Energy Group; Marta Rós Karlsdóttir, Managing Director at Baseload Power.

Ásgerður K. Sigurðardóttir, our Specialist at the Department of Geothermal Development, discussed measurements of natural emissions and the scientific questions the geothermal community seeks to answer. Ásgerður also discussed the Krafla eruptions and how the volcanic activity directly affected gas concentration in the boreholes and the amount of gas reaching the surface through the soil. In her presentation, Ásgerður compared measurements of natural emissions in the area of Þeistareykir and emissions from the Þeistareykir Geothermal Station, as well as discussing the possible source of carbon dioxide in geothermal systems in volcanic regions, and the uncertainty regarding the magnitude of anthropogenic emissions from geothermal energy generation.

Ásgerður K. Sigurðardóttir

Kristín Linda Árnadóttir, the Deputy CEO of Landsvirkjun, addressed the IGS final ceremony. Kristín emphasised the vision of geothermal utilisation guided by sustainability and its beneficial social effect.

Kristín Linda Árnadóttir

Bjarni Pálsson, Executive Director of Geothermal Development, spoke on the founding of IGC and its development over the years. Bjarni is one of IGC's founder and deserves a lot of credit for his vision and how he has shaped it over the years, along with Rósbjörg Jónsdóttir, IREC’s Managing Director. Bjarni announced that the IGC will be held in Iceland in May 2027.

Bjarni Pálsson

Landsvirkjun, in collaboration with IREC, organised two-day field trips for the guests after the conference. Participants enjoyed an excellent presentation from Hildur Vésteinsdóttir on operations in the area of Mývatn, as well as learning about Eimur, the development and innovation company, and Karen Mist Kristjánsdóttir gave a presentation on the Bakki Eco-Industrial Park. Alma Stefánsdóttir introduced projects on geothermal development, and Helgi Arnar Alfreðsson provided excellent guidance and insight on operations in the area and their positive effect on the community. Birkir Örn Elíasson, our employee at the Laxá Power Station, informed the group on power station operations and the Laxá operational area. Vilhjálmur Guðmundsson from Embracing Iceland was the tour guide. Special thanks to Benedikt Þór Jakobsson, Operational Manager at Húsavík Energy, and Páll Ólafsson, owner and horticultural farmer at Hveravellir in Reykjahverfi, for the warm reception and introduction to operations.

Landsvirkjun skipulagði tveggja daga vettvangsferð að lokinni ráðstefnunni.

Landsvirkjun received a large group of IGC participants at the Ljósafoss Power Station. There, Ingibjörg Þórðardóttir, our Specialist in the Department of Geothermal Operation and Resources, Anna Bríet Bjarkadóttir, a summer temp in the same department, and Ásdís Vignisdóttir, Asset Management specialist at Landsvirkjun, welcomed the group along with employees of the Ljósafoss Power Station Visitor Centre. With great aplomb, they introduced our guests to Landsvirkjun’s operations, current and future geothermal projects, and new projects for the coming years.

Hafrún Þorvaldsdóttir, executive director at e1, Ásdís Vignisdóttir and Ingibjörg Þórðardóttir.

We at Landsvirkjun would like to thank everyone for their active participation at the conference, and we are looking forward to further collaboration in the future.