ENERGY IN ICELAND - Orkustofnun

Since 1986, a facility at Haedarendi inGrimsnes, South Iceland, has produced carbondioxide (CO 2) from geothermal fluid.The plant uses approx. 6 l/s of fluid and producessome 2,000 tons of CO 2annually. Theproduct is used in greenhouses, for manufacturingcarbonated beverages and in otherfood industries.Figure 11. Installed capacity ofgeothermal power plants 1969–2006.Geothermal heat is also used to dry fish inmany areas in Iceland.Fish farmingIn recent years, geothermal energy has beenused to a considerable extent in aquaculture.Despite a reduction in the number offish farming operations, total productionhas increased, and is estimated to have beenaround 8,800 tons of round fish in 2005.Geothermal energy is a primary source ofenergy in smolt farming.GreenhousesApart from space heating, one of the earliestuses of geothermal energy in Icelandwas for heating greenhouses. In 2005, therewas a total of 175,000 m 2 of greenhousearea. Of this area, almost half is used for theproduction of flowers and plants, and the remainderfor vegetables. The increased use ofelectric lighting within the industry in recentyears has extended the growing season andimproved greenhouse utilization.Swimming poolsThere are about 160 swimming pools inIceland, in 130 of which geothermal heat isused. While most of these pools are public,this figure also includes pools belonging toschools and other institutions. About 89%of all pools are heated by geothermal sources,7% by electricity, and 4% by burning oil.Outdoor swimming pools account for about76% of all pools.Figure 12. Total installed capacity of hydroand geothermal power plants in Iceland.Figure 13. Electricity consumption in 2005.23