Low-temperature geothermal utilization in Iceland – Decades of experience

Abstract

Geothermal energy plays a key role in the economy of Iceland and it supplies about 89% of the space heating requirements. A large fraction of the country's district heating services (hitaveitas) use energy from low-temperature geothermal systems, which are mostly located outside the volcanic zone. Many of the geothermal district heating services have been in operation for several decades and much can be learned from their operation, in particular regarding long-term management of low-temperature geothermal resources. In most cases down-hole pumps are used, but there are examples of large-scale artesian flow still being maintained. The Reykjavík geothermal district heating service is the world's largest such service. It started operation on a small scale in 1930, and today it serves Reykjavík and surrounding communities, about 58% of the total population of Iceland. The Reykjavík district heating service utilizes three low-temperature systems. The production and response (pressure, chemistry, and temperature) histories of these systems and six other low-temperature geothermal systems are discussed. Four of the systems are very productive and reach equilibrium at constant production. Two are much less productive and do not attain equilibrium, while three are of intermediate productivity. Groundwater inflow has caused temperature decline and chemical changes in two of the systems. Several problems have faced the Icelandic low-temperature operations, such as excessive pressure drawdown caused by overexploitation, colder water inflow, and sea water incursion. None of the district heating systems has ceased operation and solutions have been found to these problems. The solutions include improving the energy efficiency of the associated heating systems, deeper and more focussed drilling (e.g., directional drilling), finding new drilling targets (even new drilling areas), and injection, as well as technical solutions on the surface. The long utilization case histories provide important information pertaining to sustainable management of geothermal resources.