the UN program in Iceland, Kenya has almost 100 geothermal wells the fissure piled up to break the ocean’s surface. Rifting is still active producing more than 200 MW of geothermal power. here, too, and the high rate of volcanic activity feeds the areas where Geothermal development in the broader Rift Valley of Africa five major geothermal plants pump up hot water. (about six countries) is boosted by funds from the African Develop“Iceland has had 40 confirmed eruptions in the last 19 years, more ment Bank, World Bank, U.S. than is usually known,” says government, European InvestPáll Einarsson, professor of ment Bank, French Development geophysics at the University Agency and Kenya’s own funds. In of Iceland. The country gets Iceland, private companies such as about 26 percent of its elecReykjavik Geothermal and Gekon, tricity from geothermal heat as well as the public organizacreated by the formation of tion ISOR, are important players. the Earth and the radioactive ISOR has had many geothermal decay of its minerals. Earth’s projects in East Africa, as well as warmth is used mainly as hot around the world. water for heating, with some As Kenya develops its geotherof the heat used to turn turmal energy resource with Iceland’s bines that produce electricity. help, the downside of geothermal Iceland’s long-time experis receiving attention, too. The tise with geothermal energy steam contains some carbon and drilling—the wells here dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. So are 1 to 2 kilometers or so far, Kenya is able to use some of deep—is being tapped by the the sulfurs to tan hides and some United Nations. The United Fellows participating in the 2011 United Nations University geothermal carbon dioxide to boost flower Nations University started a training program tour the Svartsengi plant. From left: Jeremiah Kipng’ok production. Iceland has plans for geothermal training program (Kenya), Janet Suwai (Kenya), Anna Mwangi (Kenya), Convine Omondi a methanol fuel plant to use the in Iceland in 1979. To date, (Kenya), Urbanus Mbithi (Kenya), Lúdvik S. Georgsson (program deputy director, Iceland) and Isa Lugaizi (Uganda). PHOTO BY INGIMAR G. HARALDSSON carbon dioxide from one of its 515 postgraduate scientists wells and to pump carbon dioxide and engineers from 50 develinto Iceland’s porous basalt rock, where the resulting seltzer will make oping countries have come for six months of specialized geothermal solid limestone. energy training. The program includes background on geological exploThough Iceland and Kenya are more than 5,400 miles apart, their ration, borehole geology, the chemistry of thermal liquids and drilling connection reflects “one field where Icelanders have expertise and can technology. The training is managed by a “Geothermal Cluster” of be useful to others,” says Einarsson. about 80 institutions that mapped the country’s geothermal resources, keep its development focused and export its expertise. Among those trained in Iceland was Pacifica Ogola from Nairobi. JEANNIE HANSON is a science writer who has authored natural hisAn environmental scientist with KenGen, Kenya’s major power comtory books for HarperCollins, Viking, Simon & Schuster and other pubpany, Ogola sent a picture home of herself in a parka, grinning, amid lishers. Her writing has appeared in Harvard Magazine, Lake Superior plumes of geothermal steam. It was taken in 2009, when she returned Magazine, the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and other newspapers. to Iceland after her initial training to pursue a Ph.D. in geothermal technology. The sharing goes both ways: In March 2013, Iceland will host a geothermal conference (see box at right) at which Kenyans will be among the speakers. EXPLORATION, REALIZATION & UTILIZATION Kenya’s goal is to get 5,000 megawatts of electricity—about oneThe Iceland Geothermal Initiative will host an international third of its needs—from 566 geothermal wells by 2031. The country geothermal energy conference in Reykjavik in March 2013. has used hydropower effectively, but persistent drought has necessitated Learn more at geothermalconference.is. power rationing. According to Ludvik Georgsson, deputy director of
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