Over the past century Iceland has transitioned from being one of Europe’s poorest countries, dependent on peat and coal imports for its energy needs, to a nation with a high standard of living that meets all of its electrical needs from renewable sources. Orkustofnun, Iceland’s National Energy Authority, invested in research and development following World War Two to reduce the nation’s dependence on peat and coal through the use of geothermal energy.
Thanks to its more than 600 hot springs and 200 volcanoes, Iceland has an abundance of geothermal sources and has made terrific use of this renewable source to heat the country’s homes and power its energy needs. About 90% of houses in Iceland are heated with geothermal energy, and 30% of the country’s electrical needs are powered by geothermal sources (hydropower accounts for the other 70%).
Geothermal area Hveraroend or Namaskard. Landscape at lake Myvatn. Iceland. 
Geothermal area Hveraroend near lake Myvatn and the ring road during winter with mud pools, fumaroles and solfataras. Iceland. February 
The geothermal area Haukadalur, part of the touristic route Golden Circle during winter. Geysir Strokkur. Iceland. March 
Hot steam rising from the geothermal power plant Bjarnaflag near the vulcano Krafla in the snowy highlands of wintery Iceland. Lake Myvatn in the background. Iceland. February 
Geothermal power plant in the Haukadalur. Iceland. March 
Geothermal area Seltun heated by the vulcano Krysuvik on Reykjanes peninsula during winter. Iceland. February 
The geothermal area Haukadalur part of the touristic route Golden Circle during winter. Geysir Strokkur in the background. Iceland. February 
Geothermal area at Seltun on vulcano Krysuvik, Reykjanes peninsula during fall. Iceland, august 
Visitors and photographers. Geothermal area Hveradalir in the mountains of Kerlingarfjoell in the highland of Iceland. Iceland, September 
Geothermal area Hveradalir in the mountains of Kerlingarfjoell in the highland of Iceland. Iceland, September 
Geothermal area at Seltun on vulcano Krysuvik, Reykjanes peninsula during fall. Iceland, August 
Geothermal power plant Svartsengi on Reykjanes peninsula during winter. Iceland. February. 
Hikers in the geothermal area Hveradalir in the mountains Kerlingarfjoell in the highlands of Iceland. Iceland. August. 
Hikers in the geothermal area Hveradalir in the mountains Kerlingarfjoell in the highlands of Iceland. Iceland. August. 
Campsite and hotel. The geothermal area Hveradalir in the mountains Kerlingarfjoell in the highlands of Iceland. Iceland. August. 
Landscape in the geothermal area Hveradalir in the mountains Kerlingarfjoell in the highlands of Iceland. Iceland. August. 
Geothermal area Hveravellir in the highland of Iceland. Iceland, September 
Geothermal area Hveravellir in the highland of Iceland. Iceland, September 
Geothermal area Hveradalir in the mountains of Kerlingarfjoell in the highland of Iceland. Iceland, September 
Geothermal area at Seltun on vulcano Krysuvik, Reykjanes peninsula during fall. Iceland, August 
Geysir Strokkur in the geothermal area Haukadalur part of the Golden Circle during winter. Iceland, February 
Geothermal area Seltun near volcano Krysuvik on Reykjanes peninsula during winter. Iceland, February 
Geothermal area Gunnuhver on Reykjanes peninsula during winter. Iceland, February 
Mudpot or mud pool, geothermal area Hveraroend or Namaskard. Landscape at lake Myvatn. Iceland.
In addition to heating and electricity, Icelanders use geothermal energy to heat their swimming pools, helping grow food in greenhouses, managing recycling efforts and producing a variety of products including for skincare. As the world witnesses Russia witholding its gas exports to punish other countries for their stances against the war on Ukraine, the prospect of Iceland eventually exporting geothermal energy to other European countries provides a glimmer of hope for a continent very reliant on gas and oil imports.
As the world witnesses Russia witholding its gas exports to punish other countries for their stances against the war on Ukraine, the prospect of Iceland eventually exporting geothermal energy to other European countries provides a glimmer of hope for a continent very reliant on gas and oil imports.
Developing geothermal energy has helped Iceland truly become a society without waste.
All photos in this article credited to Martin Zwick \ Reda&Co. All images in this article and on the Kaleidoscope blog site are available for licensing. Please contact UIG at info@universalimagesgroup.com
Sources:
Orkustofnun, Iceland’s National Energy Authority
Arctic Adventures
https://adventures.is/information/geothermal-energy-iceland/
Power Mag (Birta Kristin Helgadottir is director of Green by Iceland, and Einar Tomasson is head of Energy and Green Solutions at Business Iceland).
https://www.powermag.com/iceland-offers-case-study-of-geothermals-powerful-potential/
This article continues a series of posts focused on UIG’s Mission 2022: Climate Change. Help us build a comprehensive climate change collection by contributing content to UIG. Contact us at info@universalimagesgroup.com