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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]