Lessons from Iceland's Fiery Tale of Power

What the Land of Ice and Fire can Teach Us about Generating Sustainable Energy

Jan 08, 2024

I have bouts of wanting to visit Iceland. But every time I watch a documentary or a YouTuber journaling their travel to the place, the visuals of the landscape both thrill and scare me. Here’s a land that is literally a song of ice and fire. Its got everything I like. Beautiful landscapes, the northern lights, vast expanses of empty lands and less human beings. It’s also got everything that freaks me out, volcanoes, endless seismic activity, and vikings bathing in hot springs and cooking over geysers in their backyards.

If you've ever fantasised about visiting another planet but can't quite get your hands on a spaceship, just head to Iceland. Seriously, the place looks like Mars, only with more sheep and fewer rovers.

Iceland isn't just a haven for Instagram-worthy landscapes and off-the-grid adventurers; it's a giant, steamy powerhouse sitting atop a geological goldmine. Here, the ground doesn't just grumble; it practically cooks with geothermal activity. Beneath the rugged surface of this Nordic wonder lies a network of volcanic systems, hot springs, and geysers, all bubbling away like nature's own science experiment.

In this otherworldly setting, Iceland has done something extraordinary. It hasn't just learned to live with its inner infernos; it's harnessed them. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) is Iceland's answer to the eternal quest for sustainable energy. It's like they've tapped into Earth's own central heating system, but instead of warming their toes, they're powering their nation. And before you ask – no, it's not powered by elves (as far as we know).

So I thought of writing an article on Iceland and the possible lessons that we could learn from their EGS approach to sustainable energy.

The Surreal Landscape of Iceland

In Iceland, the ground is literally so excited, it can't keep still. If you're into dramatic entrances, Iceland's got them in spades: volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs! The dragons are underground, and the magic is real (and scientifically explainable). This place is like the climax of a high fantasy novel. Its got everything in it.

Now, let's talk numbers, because in Iceland, even the earth has a busy schedule. There are about 130 volcanoes scattered like confetti across this Nordic party, and around 30 of them are active, meaning they've erupted in the last few centuries. Suffices to say this isn't your typical backyard barbecue.

And let's not forget the geysers. The most famous, Strokkur, erupts every few minutes, shooting boiling water up to 40 meters high. It's like a natural Old Faithful, only with less predictability and more 'oohs' and 'aahs'.

Remember that Ice and Fire reference I gave earlier? That wasn’t just an ode to GRRM. Glaciers cover over 10% of Iceland, adding a cool touch to this hot spot. The contrast between the fiery underground and the icy surfaces is like nature's version of hot and cold therapy.

In this bizarre, beautiful world of contrasts, it's no wonder Icelanders have learned to not just live with their turbulent land, but to love it, harness it, and maybe even brag about it a little. Who wouldn't, when your backyard is a literal hotbed of geothermal activity?

Iceland’s Geothermal Profile

Now, let's shift gears from our scenic tour and dive under the hood, or in this case, the crust. Beneath the surface of Iceland's dramatic landscape lies a powerhouse of geothermal activity. Think of it as Earth's own internal combustion engine, only instead of pistons and valves, we've got magma chambers and tectonic plates.

Iceland sits smack dab on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are doing a slow-motion continental split. It's like a geological dance floor, with the Earth's crust grooving apart at a rate of a few centimetres per year. This tectonic shift results in a smorgasbord of volcanic activity, earthquakes, and, yes, those fabulous hot springs.

So, how does this geological jamboree translate into energy? Let's get technical (we are engineers after all!).

Iceland's geothermal gradient – that's the rate at which the temperature increases with depth – is higher than your average Joe's backyard. We're talking temperatures that can reach over 250°C at depths of just 1 kilometer.

Harnessing this heat involves drilling into the Earth and tapping into the steam and hot water reservoirs nestled in these volcanic areas. The steam is then used to turn turbines, which generate electricity. It's like putting a tea kettle on a stove, only the kettle is the size of a small town, and the stove is a volcano.

This geothermal bounty isn't just about electricity. It heats up homes, greenhouses, and even keeps the pavements in Reykjavik toasty during those chilly Nordic winters. It's a multitasking marvel.

In a nutshell, Iceland is sitting on a goldmine of sustainable energy, thanks to its unique geological setting. And while not every country is perched on a rift zone, there's a lesson here in making the most of what you've got under your feet.

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)

Alright techies, now let’s talk technology - Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). Think of EGS as the genius upgrade to traditional geothermal methods.

First things first, a little myth-busting: EGS isn't actually responsible for 90% of Iceland's electricity – that credit goes to the combo of geothermal and hydroelectric power. But, EGS is the cool new kid on the block, showing a lot of promise.

So, what's the EGS magic? Traditional geothermal systems rely on natural fractures in the Earth's crust to access steam and hot water. EGS, on the other hand, takes things up a notch. Engineers drill deep into the ground and inject water at high pressure, creating new fractures or expanding existing ones. This process, known as hydraulic stimulation, allows for greater access to the Earth's heat.

The injected water travels through these fractures, heats up, and is then pumped back to the surface as hot water or steam. This superheated fluid is then used to power turbines for electricity generation. It's almost like creating mini volcanoes, but with the off switch firmly in our control.

EGS is a game-changer because it expands the potential of geothermal energy beyond areas with natural volcanic activity. It's like having a geothermal cheat code, unlocking energy possibilities in places you wouldn't typically consider hotbeds of geothermal activity.

EGS isn't without its challenges. There are concerns about induced seismicity (fancy term for man-made earthquakes), and it's not exactly cheap to drill into the heart of our planet. Plus, the technology is still in its teenage phase – lots of potential, but still figuring itself out.

In Iceland, where the ground is practically begging to be used for geothermal energy, EGS is an exciting frontier.

If EGS can Power Iceland, can it Power the World?

So, we've established that Iceland is like a natural geothermal laboratory, an Earth-science nerd's dream come true. But let's pivot to how this translates into real-world, plug-in-your-coffee-maker power. Specifically, let's zoom in on the role of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) in this electrifying equation.

To set the record straight, while EGS is a significant player in Iceland's energy strategy, it's part of a broader ensemble cast. The bulk of Iceland's electricity still comes from good old-fashioned hydroelectric power, with geothermal energy (traditional and EGS) as a strong supporting actor. This dynamic duo has turned Iceland into a renewable energy superstar, a kind of green energy utopia.

But Iceland's experience with EGS offers valuable lessons for the global energy landscape. Firstly, EGS demonstrates that with the right technology and a bit of geological luck, geothermal energy can be a significant power player. With EGS, there's a whole new world of energy possibilities.

Secondly, Iceland's success with EGS shows the importance of investment and commitment to renewable energy. This isn't a half-hearted science project; it's a national strategy. It's about seeing the potential beneath our feet and having the courage (and the cash) to tap into it.

Finally, there's the sustainability angle. EGS, when done responsibly, is a relatively low-impact way to harness the Earth's energy. It's a reminder that our planet has a lot to offer, not just in scenic vistas for Instagram, but as a powerhouse for our energy-hungry civilisation.

So, can EGS technologies be the path to sustainable energy for the world? I wouldn’t be too quick to deny the possibility. While there are challenges, if these technologies are evolved and adopted based on the landscape of the country and the requirements of its its people, we might just see a day where we don’t have to look up to find a solution for energy, but just look at the ground on which we stand.

While the sun and the stars and the sky play a role in our survival as a specie, its the earth that has always been a direct provider of our sustenance. Its the earth, that holds the rivers and the lakes that give us water and the trees that give us food. We found these resources and engineered our way to making them sustainable and available to the masses. We built the dams and created the agricultural technology that sustains the nearly 8 billion people on earth. The same principles could be applied when it comes to clean, sustainable energy. The answer could be beneath our feet. All we need is good engineering and effort. Also, its a lot cheaper and requires much less effort than immigrating to Mars.