The Bjarnarflag Geothermal Power Plant is Iceland's first. It is located in North Iceland, within the historic Lake Myvatn area. The plant was built in 1969 and was originally owned by Laxá Power Company. In 1983, the plant was acquired by Landsvirkjun, Iceland's national power company, when Laxá merged with Landsvirkjun. The steam supply system was originally owned by the National Authority (Orkustofnun) but acquired by Landsvirkjun in 1983.
The plant's success was a watershed moment in Iceland's history, and was the impetus for many larger geothermal projects to come. It also provided much needed clean, reliable power for this somewhat remote part of Iceland years before the realization of a national energy grid, which wasn't completed until 1980.
Bjarnarflag uses steam from the Námafjall geothermal field to produce 3MW of electrical energy from one small steam turbine. Steam from this geothermal field was also used for the Kísiliðjan Diatomite Plant until its closing in 2004. Water, separated from the steam, is used for heating fresh water for district heating in the area. The same water is used in a spa which was built in 2004.
There are plans in the works to further develop this geothermal field and to expand the Bjarnarflag geothermal power plant to 90 MW. Exploratory drilling for this expansion has already begun.
Bjarnarflag Geothermal Power Plant details:
Back pressure unit with single Curtis wheel. Inlet pressure is approximately 9.5 bar and outlet pressure is 1.2 bar. Total output up to 3.5 MW.
Mannvit services:
In the very beginning, VGK (later Mannvit) was the consultant in acquiring the first turbine which was bought second hand from a sugar refinery.
In 1978, the steam supply system was renewed because of volcanic activities in the area. Mannvit was responsible for all engineering design of the new steam supply system, in which two new wells were drilled.
In 1991, the old second hand steam turbine needed refurbishment. Landsvirkjun hired VGK (later Mannvit) along with Rafteikning (later Verkis) to undertake all necessary engineering work and preparation of tendering. A new turbine rotor was made by Demag Delaval Turbomachinery B.V. and the control protection system of the power plant was modernized. The modified power plant was commissioned in 2001.
Landsvirkjun plans to build a new larger plant in the area and Mannvit has been responsible for all engineering and planning and as well the environmental impact study which is especially detailed because of the strong nature protection legislation in the Lake Myvatn area. Reports made have been supported by other consultants input including, Rafteikning, Ísor, and Almenna. Mannvit has prepared the necessary contract documents for the exploration drilling in Bjarnarflag and supplied technical support for the supervision of the drilling.