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ON Power The Power of Icelandic Energy Company Profile A world leader in harnessing renewable geothermal resources ON Power is a leading power company that produces electricity, primarily from renewable geothermal resources and provides one-third of the population in Iceland with district heating. The company is a world leader in the utilisation of geothermal resources and produces electricity and heat in combined heat and power plants. Renewable power sources account for more than 85 per cent of the total primary energy consumption in Iceland, far higher than anywhere else in the world. ON Power operates two geothermal combined heat and power plants at Hellisheidi and Nesjavellir and one hydropower plant in Andakilsá river. The utilisation of renewable resources has enabled Iceland to reach its 20/20/20 target, set by the EU. Almost all the electricity in Iceland is produced from renewable energy resources. ON Power actively pursues social responsibility in its activities and is engaged in extensive innovation in the field of environmentally sound and renewable energy production. A competitive producer and supplier of energy in Iceland What is Geothermal Energy? Energy derived from the heat of the Earth The Earth’s crust is broken into large sections known as tectonic plates, which are constantly moving in relation to one another. Iceland is situated on divergent boundaries between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which move away from one another at an average rate of 2 cm per year. As the plates diverge, volcanoes erupt and magma flows up to fill the void between them. Geothermal water originates as rainwater that has seeped through the Earth’s surface. As the water is heated by magma intrusions, it rises to the Earth’s crust or all the way to the surface where it creates hot springs or fumaroles. Iceland is rich in geothermal resources, and constant thermal energy can be found beneath the surface in various parts of the country. As a result, there is a great number of geothermal reservoirs in the ground. About 1000 geothermal fields have been located within the country. Iceland — a leader in the field Iceland is a pioneer in the utilisation of geothermal energy. As early as 1928, Iceland began systematically harnessing its abundant geothermal resources for domestic heating. Today Icelanders are world leaders in the use of geothermal energy for domestic and industrial purposes. Iceland is a pioneer in the utilisation of geothermal energy The Hengill Area Sustainable volcanic energy The Hengill area is situated in the southwest of Iceland, to the south of Thingvellir, and is one of the country's largest geothermal areas. The geothermal field is linked to three volcanic systems in the region. The geothermal energy in Reykjadalur and Hveragerði comes from the oldest of the three volcanoes: the Grensdalur system. To the north of this area is another volcano associated with Hrómundartindur, which last erupted about 10 thousand years ago. This particular volcano is the source of the geothermal energy found in Ölkelduháls. The westernmost and youngest system is the Hengill system, where the Nesjavellir and Hellisheidi Power Plants are located. The Hengill system has erupted several times since the Ice Age. About two thousand years ago, the Nesjahraun lava flowed from the Kýrdalssprunga crevice alongside Nesjavellir. In this area, it is common to feel the volcanic activity beneath your feet. The idea that the power of the Hengill area could be utilised for domestic heating purposes in Reykjavík was first proposed in the early 20th century, but the decision to go ahead with the first power plant at Nesjavellir was not made until the 1980s. The second Hellisheidi Power Plant was formally opened in 2006. Reclamation and care for vegetation at Hellisheidi Power Plant The Hengill area is a true nature paradise and perfect for outdoor activities all year round. ON Power has put a great emphasis on good conduct and reclamation once construction finished at and around the power plant with the purpose of restoring the growth and landscape as it was before construction started. Feel the volcanic activity beneath your feet Green Power Plants ON Power owns and operates two geothermal power plants in the Hengill area: • Nesjavellir Power Plant began operations in 1990, in the northernmost region of the Hengill area. It has a maximum capacity of 120 MW of electricity and 300 MW of thermal energy. • Hellisheidi Power Plant began producing electricity in 2006, in the southernmost region of the Hengill area. It has a maximum capacity of 303 MW of electricity and 133 MW of thermal energy. Geothermal power plants must provide sufficient steam and water to be able to produce electricity and hot water for domestic heating purposes. The production of electricity takes place in steam turbines whereas the production of hot water takes place in the thermal station of the power plant, geothermal steam and water are used to head up groundwater in heat exchangers. Hot water is most extensively produced in the Nesjavellir area with 300 MW of annual output, but considerable production also takes place in the Hellisheidi area which has a capacity of 133 MW with the potential of reaching 400 MW in the future. The hot water produced at the power plants is used for district heating for about one-third of the total population in Iceland. The Nesjavellir and Hellisheidi Power Plants are considered symbols of the extensive expertise that has been built up in the field of geothermal energy in Iceland. Both serve the same purpose: to produce heat for the district heating service in the capital and to provide electricity to energy intensive industries and the domestic market. ON Power also operates one hydropower plant in Andakíll, in Borgarfjördur. The hydropower plant produces electricity only. In harmony with nature and the ecosystem Towards Cleaner Geothermal Energy Capturing and sequestering CO2 and H2S emissions Geothermal energy is a renewable and clean energy source. Due to the dissolved gases that travel up to the surface with geothermal steam, emissions of non-condensable gases to the atmosphere are an inevitable part of geothermal energy production. At Hellisheidi, these emissions consists mainly of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and remain one of the main environmental concerns of geothermal energy utilisation. CO2 is the primary emitted greenhouse gas and the reduction of its emissions related to human activities is one of the great challenges of this century. H2S is a colourless, flammable gas with the characteristic odour of rotten eggs at low concentrations, and toxic at high concentrations. Other emissions from Hellisheidi are small amounts of hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2), methane (CH4) and argon (Ar). ON, together with leading scientists in the field, runs a number of research projects aimed at developing innovative methods to capture the CO2 and H2S currently emitted from the geothermal power plants. The goal is to re-inject the gases back into the geothermal reservoir where they form mineral deposits when reacting with basaltic rock formations. These methods are being tested on a industrial scale at Hellisheidi Power Plant as a part of ongoing research. Developing ON is engaged innovative in extensive methods innovation to capture on environmentally CO2and sound H2S energy production Great Potential in Hellisheidi Geopark From waste to value The gas treatment processes, together with electricity and hot and cold groundwater, create opportunities to transform the geothermal power plant exhaust from waste to value. The vision of Hellisheidi Geopark is to utilise the geothermal resources in the most sustainable and energy efficient way, creating valuable products from electricity, heat and fresh water produced at the power plant, while is simultaneously utilising the waste streams in an environmentally friendly way. CO2 in particular is a valuable gas once separated from the geothermal steam and provides opportunities for fuel production and cultivation in fields such as: • Algae production • Biofuel production • Large scale greenhouses • Cultivation of warm-water species (warm-water aquaculture) ON Power offers a variety of opportunities at Hellisheidi Geopark. The plant is directly connected to the main grid. Among the products that we can offer are: •Electricity • Cold water • 80°C hot water • Access to land • Steam at 120°C and 170°C •CO2 •H2S A variety of opportunities at Hellisheidi Geopark Fast Charging Stations Charge your car with ON Power ON Power feels it is very important to promote the use of electric cars in Iceland and make them a realistic and efficient option for homes and businesses. ON Power has, in cooperation with dedicated partners, opened ten fast charging stations in Iceland. Those stations use the CHAdeMO standard and it takes around 20-30 minutes to charge an electric car up to 80%. The first two stations were opened on March 11th 2014 and the newest one was opened in Akranes in June 2015. The use of the stations has exceeded expectations and the number of electric cars on the streets is gradually rising. Why should you choose an electric car? Electric cars have many advantages. They do not burn fossil fuel and therefore do not release CO2 into the atmosphere. Electric cars are cheaper to operate than the classic fossil fuel car. When Toyota Yaris, a popular fossil fuel car, and electric car Nissan Leaf were tested, the difference in maintainance cost turned out to be ISK 133,200 and 1,770 kg of CO2 in emissions annually – in favor of the electric car. Promoting the use of electric cars in Iceland Leading with Expertise Extensive geothermal knowledge base Nearly one hundred years of experience at harnessing geothermal resources has provided us with a vast knowledge base. Our staff includes engineers, geologists, electricians, technicians and office administrators with tremendously diverse education and experience. Construction management, design and operation are based upon deep and extensive expert knowledge. Energy production and the construction and operation of our power plants builds on years of extensive geological research, conducted by the most talented scientists in the field. Quality of life The harnessing of geothermal energy has been one of the key factors in improving the quality of life in Iceland. The installation of a district heating system has greatly improved the air quality in Reykjavík, now considered one of the cleanest cities in the world. Reykjavík is considered one of the cleanest cities in the world 1921 1937 Ellidaá Power Station inaugurated Ljósafoss Power Station goes online, the first plant in Sogid 1990 1998 Nesjavellir Plant operational Power generation begins at Nesjavellir 2010 2011 Thermal Station at Hellisheidi begins operation Construction of Hellisheidi Power Plant officially completed 1965 1965 Power Stations in Sogid transferred to Landsvirkjun Exploratory drilling begins at Nesjavellir 1999 2006 Heat and Power merged as Reykjavik Energy Hellisheidi Power Plant operational 2014 March 2014 ON Power is founded as a subsiduary company of Reykjavik Energy ON Power installs the first Fast Charger for electrical vehicles in Iceland ONS-U-255-02 ON Power | Bæjarháls 1, 110 Reykjavík | Tel.: +354 591 2700 | www.on.is | [email protected]