Orkuveitan tests technology that could multiply geothermal output

Orkuveitan is preparing experimental drilling at Nesjavellir that could make geothermal energy production possible in areas previously considered unsuitable, mbl.is reports.

The method could also produce several times more power from wells than current techniques, potentially greatly increasing Iceland’s energy supply.

Sævar Freyr Þráinsson, Orkuveitan’s chief executive, said deep geothermal production at higher temperatures could be revolutionary.

“This method could meet Icelanders’ energy needs in the future, and the technology could be important in many parts of the world. We aim to be the first in the world to demonstrate electricity production from such a well,” he said.

Hera Grímsdóttir, Orkuveitan’s managing director of research and innovation, said it was too early to determine the final cost of the energy. One of the main goals of the development programme is to answer that question.

“The hypothesis is that once the technology has matured, costs could fall and each well could produce much more energy than conventional wells,” she said.

Hera said the new technology could make it more realistic to exploit geothermal resources at greater depths. Researchers had long known about the resource, she said, but the technology had not been ready. They now believe they have developed solutions that should be tested in a real-world environment.