Download Energy for Sustainable Development

Sustainable Growth - A Nordic Point of View
Nordic Council of Ministers' side event
May 9. 2007
Fifteenth Session of the United Nations Commission on
Sustainable Development
Geothermal in Iceland in a Global Perspective
Helga Barðadóttir,
Special Adviser, Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Iceland
Member of the Nordic Committee of Energy Officials
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Honourable Ministers, ladies and gentlemen,
One of the major concerns of mankind today is the ever increasing emission of
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the threat of global warming.
In the last few months our attention has been drawn to the problem by many reports that
have been published regarding the issue of climate change. The biggest reason for this
threat is our use of fossil fuels and emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. This is
no news for you. But what can we do?
Globally, it is estimated that CO2 emissions will have to be reduced by 50%. At the same
time 1,6 billion people have no access to electricity, a basic need that must be met. This is
a two sided task which we have to deal with, that is to reduce greenhousegas emissions
and give 1,6 billion people access to electricity. If we are to have any expectation to
succeed in that task, we have to find a way to adopt new technology and use of climate
friendly energy for transport and production of electricity.
In Iceland we have been blessed with our renewable energy, geothermal and hydropower,
which stands for 72% of our total energy consumption. Our experience from harnessing
our renewable energy resources can benefit the global efforts in combating climate
change. In particular geothermal energy can play an important role in this aspect in many
parts of the world, while also bringing secure electricity to millions of people.
It is important to realise that the world primary energy demand is expected to increase by
just over one-half between now and 2030, an average annual rate of 1.6%, according to a
recent Scenario of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Demand grows by more than
one-quarter in the period to 2015 alone. Over 70% of the increase in demand over the
projection period is in the developing countries. Almost half of the increase in global
primary energy use goes to generating electricity and one-fifth to meeting transport needs
– almost entirely in the form of oil based fuels. (IEA – world energy outlook - 2006).
According to the International Energy Agency, fossil fuels will count for 80% of sources
of energy until 2030 and geothermal energy – along with other renewables is only
expected to increase from a small base the next 3 decades, although potential geothermal
energy sources can easily be found and harnessed in many places around the world.
Assessments indicate that using existing geothermal technology could provide adequate
energy for six hundred million people, both in the form of electricity and heat. Why are
we not using this energy source to a greater extent?
There are numerous obstacles facing geothermal in particular and renewable energy in
general.
This is particularly true for many developing countries and it is extremely important to
increase the share of geothermal use in these countries in near future.
Contrary to what many people belief, exploitable geothermal resources are widely
available. Geothermal energy is accessible in up to 90 countries, many of them
developing countries. Already, geothermal energy is harvested in one way or another in
73 countries. Geothermal energy has multiple uses, including house heating, hygiene,
energy exchange, industrial processes and electricity generation. Geothermal energy has
also the advantage of being based on proven technologies with a century of practical
experience behind it, and it can be easily transferred to developing countries.
In many places around the world where there is a great geothermal potential, it has not
been harnessed due to lack of skills do so. Inadequate local technical skills can be looked
at as a barrier. Renewable energy is the solution but it can be hard to adopt new
technology. If the right skills are not at hand in the country, it can not be expected to
thrive.
Iceland has a long experience of assisting in enabling developing countries to harness
their geothermal energy. Since 1979, the United Nations University Geothermal Training
Programme has been operated in Iceland and since then 359 fellows from 40 countries
have finalised the 6 month training. The programme is an important contributor to the
increase of geothermal utilization in the world. The aim of the UNU-Geothermal
Training Programme is to assist developing countries with significant geothermal
potential to build up or strengthen groups of specialists that cover most aspects of
geothermal exploration and development.
The Government of Iceland has moreover secured core funding for the United Nations
University Geothermal Training Programme to expand its capacity building activities by
annual workshops in geothermal development in selected countries. The first workshop
was held in Africa in 2005 and in Central America in 2006. The next will be held in Asia,
probably in 2008. This was announced at the International Conference for Renewable
Energies held in Bonn, Germany in June 2004. This is a contribution of the Government
of Iceland towards the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations.
The “Workshop for Decision Makers on Geothermal Projects in Central America” was
held in San Salvador in November 2006. The fifty participants came mainly from the four
countries of Central America who are active in geothermal development, i.e. Costa Rica,
El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
In Central America geothermal power stations provide about 12% of the total electricity
generation of the four countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Only a small portion of the geothermal resources in the region have been harnessed so
far. With the large untapped geothermal resources and the significant experience in
geothermal as well as hydro development in the region, Central America may become an
international example of how to reduce the overall emissions of greenhouse gases in a
large region. This will require considerable human capacity building in geothermal
research and development in the region. Many formal UNU Fellows trained in Iceland
are among the leading experts in their respected countries, for example in Central
America.
In the sector of direct use of geothermal, the largest potential is, however, in China. Due
to the geological conditions, there are widespread low-temperature geothermal resources
in most provinces of China which are already widely used.
Icelandic companies have been exporting know how, particularly regarding harnessing of
geothermal energy. The largest project Icelandic companies have been involved in is a
geothermal district heating project in the city of Xian yang in China. The district heating
is replacing the coal-fired heating facilities for the community. The first phase of the
project is up and running and the 2nd phase is in construction. The air quality of the city
will improve dramatically after the geothermal district heating facilities will start
replacing the coal burning facilities. This renewable energy project will have a very
positive impact on the living conditions in Xian yang city, while also serving as an
example to other Chinese cities that can also harness geothermal resources found in many
parts of China.
Though it has been emphasized that that there is a great potential of geothermal in
developing countries, it should not be forgotten, that there are also unused opportunities
in the field of geothermal in the industrialized world, for example in Europe and North
America. If that would be harnessed, it could be a contribution to the reduction of
greenhouse gases related to energy production.
It is important to use all the options available in utilising renewable energy sources to
combat climate change, especially where we have available clean technologies that can
be used much more widely than today. Geothermal energy is very competitive in many
parts of the world, and although it is not found in every country, it is estimated that
hundreds of millions of people could benefit from both electricity and heat from new
geothermal resources.
That opportunity should be used.
In conclusion, I want to emphasize that Iceland is willing to share its experience in the
field of renewable resources with other nations. The threat we all are facing has to be
dealt with in a global perspective. No country can think locally.