Iceland’s various geothermal district and municipal heating entities provide space heating and hot water to over 90% of homes and buildings. And, the capital city, Reykjavik boasts the world’s largest and most sophisticated geothermal district heating systems in the world, a development project that began in the 1930s and continues today. This use of geothermal and other renewable resources over the last 80 years has made Reykjavik one of the cleanest cities in the world.
Iceland uses this abundant source of geothermal energy for many applications beyond space heating and hot water for homes and businesses including, greenhouse heating, snow melting, fish farming, thermal spas, swimming pools and more.
Benefits of Geothermal District Heating:
- Environmentally-friendly
- Economically competitive
- Reliable source of energy
- Improved air quality
- Price stability vs fossil fuels
- Stable energy prices
- Multiple domestic and industrial uses
- Offers competitive advantages to industry
- Improved public image
Most of the district heating in Iceland comes from three main geothermal power plants producing over 800 MWth:
- Svartsengi combined heat and power plant (CHP)
- Nesjavellir CHP plant
- Hellisheidi CHP plant (additional 400MWth in 2009)
Mannvit Engineering has played a significant role in the development of Iceland’s geothermal district and municipal heating since the early 1960s and is now involved in geothermal development projects, including district heating, all over the world including, Hungary, China, Germany and other international locations.
Mannvit is a leader in geothermal district heating and offers comprehensive design and consulting services including: surveys, piping systems, systems analysis, flow calculations and measurements, water catchments, supply mains, distribution systems and pumping stations.