Geothermal Utilization and Value Chains in Iceland - Recording from Event and Presentations
The seminar serves as an introduction to geothermal and geothermal utilization for newcomers to geothermal as well as a dialogue for more advanced audience from government, private sector, organizations, and communities.
The seminar opens with an introduction to geothermal resources in the Canadian North and Arctic followed by presentations from stakeholders in Iceland on how geothermal has developed in Iceland through the decades and the benefits to Iceland’s communities.
The event is organized by the Embassy of Iceland in Ottawa in partnership with Green by Iceland and the Iceland Renewable Energy Cluster.
Below you will find the recording from the seminar as well as individual slide decks.
Agenda and presentations:
- Welcome Remarks: Ambassador Hlynur Gudjonsson, Embassy of Iceland in Ottawa
- Geothermal Research in Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut: Stephen E. Graspy, Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada. Click HERE for presentation.
- Iceland's Geothermal History: Nott Thorberg , Director, Green by Iceland . Click HERE for presentation.
- Geothermal Development with a Focus on High Temperature Geothermal Fields: Deirdre Clark, Geochemist, ÍSOR. Click HERE for presentation.
- Role of Geothermal Direct Use in the Value Chain of a Society: Carine Chatenay, M.Sc. Civil Engineering, Marketing Manager, Verkís Consulting Engineers . Click HERE for presentation.
- Geothermal Energy Legal Frameworks: Anna Bjorg Gudjonsdottir , Associate, BBA//Fjeldco . Click HERE for presentation.
- Review of Iceland Geothermal Industry's and Wrap Up: Rosbjorg Jonsdottir , Managing Director, Iceland Renewable Energy Cluster . Click HERE for presentation.
BBA//Fjeldco is a highly professional top tier specialized corporate law firm based in Reykjavík, Iceland with operations in both the United Kingdom and France. Our team consists of over 30 lawyers specialized business lawyers, with qualifications in Iceland, England, France, and New York, making us the largest corporate law firm in Iceland. Due to our size and expertise, we have been able to accumulate extensive knowledge and experience in our practicing areas making us the obvious choice when complex and full spectrum corporate legal services are needed. For more than a decade, BBA//Fjeldco has been active in the field of energy law advising clients on energy projects all over the world, this has included investment into and/or sponsoring of projects, financing by banks, involvement by drilling companies and other service providers. BBA//Fjeldco has in recent years worked closely with authorities in various countries such as Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, El Salvador, and France, to evaluate the legal environment for renewable energy sources. Our lawyers have also drafted legislative bills and regulations in the field of renewable energy, for governments of Djibouti in Africa and Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean. BBA//Fjeldco has worked on several project with the World Bank (ESMAP), the United Nations Development Program and the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in relation to green energy regulatory environment, reviewing current legislative framework and, where considered applicable, proposed legislative changes, and provided roadmaps, on how to move forward to support the sustainable development of renewable energy resources.
Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is a Canadian federal government agency responsible for performing geological surveys of the country. A branch of the Lands and Minerals Sector of Natural Resources Canada, the GSC is Canada’s oldest scientific agency and was one of its first government organizations. The GSC is the national organization for geoscientific information and research. The work supports exploration and decision-making in the mining and energy sectors as well as national sovereignty, hazards risk management and more. Stephen E. Graspy, Research Scientist at the Geological Survey of Canada, completed his Ph.D. in geochemistry at the University of Calgary in 1997. Dr. Grasby has worked at the Geological Survey of Canada with active field programs across western and northern Canada. His work includes geochemical studies to elucidate drivers of major climate change events and mass extinctions in Earth history. He has also led renewal of geothermal energy research in the Geological Survey of Canada, including a national assessment of geothermal energy potential of Canada as well as studies on the controls on the origin and distribution of thermal springs. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his research.
Green by Iceland is a platform for cooperation on climate issues and green solutions. The role of Green by Iceland is to promote the export of Icelandic green solutions and renewable energy expertise while supporting Iceland‘s reputation as a leader in sustainability. Green by Iceland is housed within Business Iceland.
Iceland GeoSurvey (ÍSOR) is a consulting and research institute providing specialist services to the Icelandic power industry, the Icelandic government, and foreign companies, in the field of geothermal sciences and utilisation. ÍSOR provides a wide variety of consultation, energy research, exploration, and development services through contracts in Iceland and abroad. ÍSOR has moreover specialist laboratories such as water chemistry and petrologic ones; six well-logging trucks and allied probes; all major geophysical exploration equipment and a comprehensive interpretation and reservoir simulation software; good computers, good data collection and GIS facilities and a well-equipped technical and scientific library. ÍSOR was originally founded in 1945 as a part of the State Electrical Authority, later Orkustofnun, the National Energy Authority. Iceland GeoSurvey became an independent non-profit governmental institute on the 1st of July 2003 and took over all responsibilities of the former GeoScience Division of Orkustofnun.
Iceland Renewable Energy Cluster (IREC) is a cluster organisation and joint platform of public and private organisations working with or in the Iceland energy sector and covers the whole value chain. The key role of the cluster organisation is to increase the competitiveness of its members and its society and represent what its member has to offer. Around 50 members from the whole value chain, energy producer, all kind of supplier, consulting companies, manufacturing-, maintenance- and service companies, the academia, and public entities. The energy cluster represents all stakeholders of the energy sector value chain. IREC has been active formally since February 2013, when it was founded after several years of mapping and implementation. In the beginning it was positioned as Iceland Geothermal focusing on the geothermal energy resource. In the year of 2018, the organisation reposition itself and the scope was expanded. Ever since the organisation focusing on all energy sources potential in Iceland; geothermal, hydro, wind, and X-power. IREC focuses on collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing, both locally and globally. It sets up action and projects and events to help to fasten the development and building up value creation for its members and the industry as whole.
Verkís provides consultancy and one-stop service for all areas of engineering and related fields. The company's involvement in the geothermal sector dates to 1960. Not a single year has since passed without Verkís being involved in a major geothermal development project, a unique position that has allowed the company to acquire unprecedented knowledge and experience in the field of geothermal utilization. As a result, Verkís has become one of the world´s major consulting engineering companies in the field of geothermal utilization, covering all engineering disciplines at all stages of project development. Verkís participated as part of the Owner’s Engineer team in development, administration, procurement and supervision of the construction and commissioning of all geothermal power plants in Iceland, including those owned by Icelandic power company Reykjavík Energy at Nesjavellir and Hellisheiði, as well as having been the principal consultant for power company HS Orka for the geothermal power plants located on the Reykjanes peninsula. In addition, Verkís and its partners have acted as the main consultant for the National Power Company of Iceland Landsvirkjun for power plant Krafla in Northern Iceland and the two geothermal power plants in the North-East, Bjarnaflag and Þeistareykir. Verkís is also the world’s leading consultant in direct utilization of geothermal energy, having been a forerunner in this field since the onset of the Reykjavík district heating system in the 1960s. Verkís experts have participated on a regular basis in capacity building programs in Iceland, East Africa and Central America through the United Nations Geothermal Training Programme. They have also developed tailor made sessions for various companies in Kenya, China, and France aimed at training staff of companies starting in geothermal. The types of training provided spans over a wide range of subjects such as project management, mechanical design of power plants, district heating design and planning or going into more details regarding operation and maintenance issues and other geothermal specific subjects.