Petrogeothermal energy resources within low-temperature areas of Iceland

Abstract

Iceland remains one of the leading countries in the field of the utilization of geothermal energy worldwide. Despite its knowledge and tremendous experience in the exploitation of mostly high-temperature geothermal energy resources (water and steam), it has been interested in the possibility of harnessing heat from hot rock formations with the implementation of the Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS). This paper presents the main outcomes of the feasibility study of EGS technology within the low-temperature area of the country. It includes broad geological research that constitutes the background for finding a suitable site for an EGS installation and to determine the local thermal parameters together with rock characteristics. To calculate the amount of heat stored within the preordained HDR formation and ascertain that the deployment of the EGS within the lowtemperature area of Hólmavík town (NW Iceland) is plausible, the term of static resources of energy was applied. Considering the geological issue, it emerged that within the low-temperature areas of Iceland, there are excellent lithological (mainly porous lava layers) as well as thermal conditions (relatively high heat flow and geothermal gradient values) for the implementation of EGS technology for providing heat for small district heating networks. The amount of energy stored within the designed rock formation turned out to be significant and more than sufficient to cover the energy demands of Hólmavík town. The authors also emphasize the importance of running several exchange programs between Polish and Icelandic research and academic centers, with the indication of possible benefits for the Polish geothermal energy sector.