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ON: Meet Mother Nature at her Fiercest
The first thing you notice when you drive up to Hellisheiði, a hilly area just beyond the city limits, is the ever-present smell of sulphur, reminiscent of rotten eggs. The smell is a mild but constant reminder that just below your feet is an inferno of geothermal heat, which ON Power utilises to pump out cheap and environmentally-friendly heat and electricity for more than half of the nation. Their largest geothermal plant at Hellisheiði, situated in the geothermally active Hengill area, is state of the art and open every day to visitors who want to learn more about Iceland’s geothermal energy. Making use of the Mid-Atlantic ridge Iceland’s geology is unique and powerful, and despite the occasional volcanic eruption stopping air traffic (we’re sorry about Eyjafjallajökull), Icelanders have managed to harness its energy for the benefit of the entire nation, thanks to companies such as ON Power. ON Power produces electricity, originating in geothermal energy, for more than half of the Icelandic population. Drilling into the ground to access the 300°C (572°F) hot water, the enormous machines at Hellisheiði are ingeniously crafted to utilise as much of the energy that water provides as possible. Every step of the process, from when the water is pumped up for the first time, to the point when it arrives to the citizens of Reykjavík in the form of heat and energy, is meticulously thought out. Did you know, for example, that
Icelandic geology in 30 seconds or less
Iceland is situated on the boundaries between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which move away from one another at roughly 2cm (nearly an inch) per year. It’s also sitting on a mantle plume, or a geological hot spot, similar to the one that created the Hawaiian Islands. This results in an excess of volcanic activity and earthquakes as well as an abundance of geothermal power.
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excess hot water in Reykjavík is used to heat up streets and paths around the city, making them safer to walk on during icy winters? Get energised! The Geothermal Exhibition is only a 20-minute drive from Reykjavík and open every day. It’s the only geothermal power plant in the world where you can come so close to the action and see the machines in operation, constantly working to harness the immense power of mother Earth to make life easier for the people of Reykjavík. In addition to seeing the powerful machines, the exhibition shows you how Iceland’s geology and geothermal power work. You can even hear the rumblings of some of the biggest earthquakes Iceland’s had in the past years! Take a hike… around hot springs, rivers, and beautiful lakes A visit to the exhibition gives you a sense of the power contained by Iceland’s nature. If you want to get a better look at it, the surrounding Hengill area is incredibly beautiful, with hot springs, craters, rivers, and lakes. No wonder it’s so popular among locals. The Geothermal Exhibition is located at Hellisheiði, about 20 minutes outside of Reykjavík. You can book a tour with Reykjavík Excursions.
Did you know?
» Renewable power sources account for more than 70% of the total primary energy consumption in Iceland, far higher than anywhere else in the world. » The Hengill area is among the most extensive geothermal areas in Iceland, with at least three volcanic eruptions having occurred in the area in the last 11,000 years, of which the most recent one was 2,000 years ago. » Hellisheiði Power Plant’s production capacity is 303MW of electricity and 133MW of thermal energy. » The energy production is so great that the thermal energy capacity could easily be increased by 300MW. That’s enough to power 135,000 blow-dryers running at once, or 6 million 50-inch LED TVs.
ON Power - Geothermal Exhibition Hellisheiðarvirkjun +354 591 2880 www.geothermalexhibition.com