Hellisheiði Power Station

Hellisheiði Power Station
ThinkGeoEnergy · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Hellisheiði Power Station
Country	Iceland
Location	Hengill volcanic area
Status	Operational
Commissioning	2006–2011
Owner	ON Power
Operator	ON Power
Geothermal type	High-temperature geothermal
Capacity mw	303
Annual generation gwh	~1,300

Hellisheiði Power Station is a major geothermal power complex in the Hengill volcanic area near Reykjavík, Iceland. The station supplies both electrical generation and district heating to parts of the Capital Region (Iceland), integrating industrial-scale steam production with binary and flash technologies. It is a central asset in Icelandic renewable energy infrastructure and links to regional projects involving multiple public and private actors.

Overview

The facility is situated on the slopes of the Hengill volcanic system between Reykjavík and Selfoss, near the town of Hafnarfjörður, and lies within the historic boundaries of Árborg and Bláskógabyggð municipal areas. Developed by consortiums including Landsvirkjun, Orkuveita Reykjavíkur predecessors, and later managed by ON Power, the complex was designed to exploit a high-temperature geothermal reservoir for combined heat and power. It interconnects with the Icelandic transmission grid operated by Landsnet and supports district heating networks linked to utilities such as Orkuveita Reykjavíkur and industrial consumers like alumina and greenhouse operations. The project intersects with national energy policy initiatives from the Icelandic Ministry of Industry and Innovation and regional planning by the Capital Region authorities.

History and Development

Exploration began after geological and geophysical surveys influenced by earlier work at Krafla and Svartsengi fields; seismic studies drew on methods used in the Reykjanes Peninsula programs. Early exploratory wells followed precedents set by the Blue Lagoon-adjacent developments and the mid-20th-century geothermal pioneers linked to Orkustofnun and researchers from University of Iceland. Financing and permitting involved stakeholders such as Municipality of Reykjavík utilities, private investors, and European technical partners, with environmental assessments referencing cases like Thingvellir conservation discussions. Construction progressed through staged expansions, with major commissioning phases completed between 2006 and 2011 under project management influenced by international engineering firms and contractors who had worked on projects at The Geysers and Taupo.

Geothermal Resources and Reservoir

The reservoir tapped beneath the plant is part of a high-temperature system associated with the Hengill volcanic complex, located along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rift zone crossing Iceland. Reservoir characterization used techniques comparable to those in studies at Krafla, Nesjavellir, and Svartsengi, including microseismic monitoring and tracer tests developed in collaboration with institutions such as the United Nations University and research teams from Imperial College London and the National Energy Authority of Iceland (Orkustofnun). The field produces steam and high-enthalpy fluids from depths influenced by Iceland hotspot thermal anomalies and magmatic heat sources comparable to studies at Eyjafjallajökull and Katla. Reinjection strategies were informed by international experience at Hellisheidi analogues and the Geysers reservoir management literature, aiming to sustain pressure and limit induced seismicity similar to programs in New Zealand and Italy.

Power Generation and Technology

The station combines flash steam turbines and binary cycle units using technologies supplied by manufacturers who have worked on projects at Siemens Energy installations and elsewhere in Europe. Turbine train design reflects developments in high-enthalpy conversion adopted at Nesjavellir and benchmarking against facilities at The Geysers and Krafla. Heat exchangers, condensers, and reinjection pumps incorporate materials and corrosion control strategies studied by National Energy Authority of Iceland researchers and laboratory partners at Reykjavík University. Waste heat is harnessed for district heating, connecting to Reykjavik-area systems serving facilities like Landspítali and commercial greenhouses, similar to heat reuse seen at Orcieres and Hafslund projects. Control systems and SCADA integration follow standards used by Landsvirkjun and international utilities including Vattenfall and E.ON.

Environmental Impact and Emissions

Environmental monitoring at the site tracks emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and non-condensable gases using protocols influenced by the IPCC and the International Geothermal Association. Studies compare lifecycle emissions with fossil-fuel alternatives like Búnaðarverndun assessments and carbon accounting frameworks used by Icelandic Climate Council advisors. Local impacts on hydrology, vegetation, and geothermal features were evaluated with reference to conservation practices at Thingvellir National Park and mitigation measures developed alongside environmental NGOs and academic groups from the University of Iceland and Icelandic Institute of Natural History. Seismicity linked to fluid injection has been monitored using networks coordinated with IMO (Icelandic Meteorological Office) and researchers collaborating with teams from ETH Zurich and University of Washington.

Operations, Maintenance, and Ownership

Operational management is conducted by ON Power, owned in part by municipal shareholders including Reykjavíkurborg and other local authorities influenced by performance models from Landsvirkjun asset management. Maintenance regimes employ predictive and preventive strategies guided by partnerships with equipment suppliers and maintenance contractors from Siemens and other European firms. Workforce training involves technical schools and higher-education collaborations with Reykjavík University and University of Iceland, and safety standards reference international frameworks such as those promoted by the International Labour Organization and industry groups like the International Geothermal Association.

Research, Education, and Tourism

The site hosts research collaborations with institutions including University of Iceland, Reykjavík University, Imperial College London, and international programs funded through mechanisms such as Horizon 2020 and bilateral research grants. The power station includes visitor facilities that attract tourists alongside educational tours similar to programs at Blue Lagoon and Reykjanesviti, offering interpretive content about geothermal science, engineering, and sustainability. Outreach engages museums and cultural institutions such as the National Museum of Iceland and regional tourism boards like Visit Reykjavík to communicate geothermal heritage and contemporary technological innovation.

Category:Geothermal power stations in Iceland