Reynir Smari Atlason

Adaptation decision-making in the Nordic countries : assessing the potential for joint action

Abstract In a global context, the outlook for the Nordic region is relatively favourable, given its relatively stronger resiliency to climate change impacts in comparison to many other geo-political regions of the world. Overall, the projected climatic changes include increases in mean temperatures and in precipitation, although regional variations can be significant. The countries’ robust institutions and economies give them a strong capacity to adapt to these changes. Still, the need for adaptation to the changing climate has been and still is substantial, and in most of the region, there has been progress on the issue. This paper explores the potential for Nordic cooperation on adaptation; specifically, for the development of a regional adaptation strategy. In particular, it addresses two questions (1) What is the current state of adaptation in the Nordic countries? and (2) What are the potential benefits and weaknesses of a Nordic strategy for adaptation? In order to answer these two questions, this paper examines reviews the current national adaptation policies of each Nordic country and discusses the challenges facing a Nordic strategy and finally assesses the potential for common Nordic adaptation policy and further cooperation.

Operation and Maintenance in Icelandic Geothermal Power Plants: Structure and Hierarchy

The Icelandic geothermal industry can be traced back to 1908 and has developed an extensive knowledge from that time. Currently, seven geothermal power plants are operating on the island. The plants are operated and maintained efficiently by relatively few engineers. The power plants generally prefer marine engineers who have worked as chief engineers on fishing vessels. Marine engineers are preferred in the Icelandic geothermal sector because of their education and mentality learned while working on the sea. Teamwork, resourcefulness, proactive thinking and the will to assist with jobs beyond job description are among the qualities believed to be required.This study was carried out in cooperation with three power companies who own and operate all the geothermal power plants in Iceland. The purpose was to study the geothermal power plants and their environment in order to identify the key factors for the effective operation and maintenance with few engineers. The results include a summary and an analysis of the structure and hierarchy and an analysis of the business environment. Lastly, the results from a comparison of work behavior between employees at geothermal plants, fishing vessels and from other sectors are presented. Results were not as expected; employees at the geothermal plant were less considered to their peers, more outspoken and seem to show less civic virtue to their companies.Copyright

A comparative analysis of the energy return on investment of organic and conventional Icelandic dairy farms.

This study compares the energy return on investment (EROI) of organic and conventional farms in Iceland. It examines which farming method returns the highest amount of edible energy to society relative to the input required. Twenty farms were studied: two organic and 18 conventional. Real data were gathered directly from five farms (including both of the organic farms in the study). Further data from 15 conventional dairy farms of different sizes were collected from a database maintained by the Icelandic Farmers Association. One of the organic farms studied (Org1) was found to have an EROI of 2.68, whereas two conventional farms used as controls for comparison (Con1-a and Con1-b) had EROIs of 0.60 and 0.69, respectively. The second organic farm (Org2) had an EROI of 0.55, versus the control farm ratio of 0.27. On average, large (<170 hectares) conventional dairy farms had an EROI of 0.65, while medium (<70 hectares) and small (<40 hectares) conventional farms had average EROIs of 0.56 and 0.50, respectively. This limited analysis suggests that organic dairy farms may provide better EROIs than conventional farms, but that their dairy yields per hectare are lower.

Wellhead Scaling Problems in Geothermal Power Plants Addressed Using a Needle Valve Derivative

One of the most frequent problems in geothermal power plants is scaling. If scaling is allowed to build in the wellhead it can hinder the flow from the well. In this study we investigate how exactly that problem was solved at HS Energy in Iceland. We look at the problem, describe it and how it has been successfully solved. The solution, a valve called the Elli valve, which can be regarded a derivative of the Giffard’s injector, is then described. This valve has been shown to allow for a better flow control, less problems with regards to scaling removal and has economical advantages over other control valves. This solution should allow geothermal power plants dealing with scaling problems to use the presented solution to solve it effectively, in a cost efficient manner.Copyright

Societal and Environmental Impact of High Energy Return on Investment (EROI) Energy Access

The Icelandic society is conveniently located where the Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates meet. This allows for relatively easy and cheap access to geothermal energy. Icelanders have benefited from this since settlement, first through direct use of the warm water but later on by co-producing electricity. The nation also benefits from large glacial rivers, offering potential for energy harvesting. This chapter explores the various benefits from utilising renewable energy, using Iceland as a case study. This is demonstrated by exploring the energy return on investment (EROI) for the Nesjavellir geothermal and Fljotsdalsstod hydro power plant and the CO2 mitigation provided by the resources as the Icelandic society no longer needs to rely on fossil fuels for electricity and heating. This chapter demonstrates systematically how societies may benefit ecologically but also energetically from access to renewable energy sources.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention: The Dawn of Domestic Geothermal Turbine Repairs in Iceland

Even though the Icelandic public relies greatly on geothermal power, to date, intensive maintenance procedures on the geothermal turbines have been conducted by foreign contractors. Such repairs are very time consuming, risky, expensive and leak capital out of the country. This has been discussed greatly within the industry and plans have been made on how the power companies, along with domestic machine shops can address this problem. However, in spring 2013 a turbine failure was observed in a routine quadrennial check at the Nesjavellir geothermal power plant. Corrosion products where found on the last set of the labyrinth packing and the rotor had been worn down approximately 8 mm radius. The backup rotor was also in a non-operational state. The unexpected downtime in power production had to be minimized in order to fulfill contracts. Because of time constraints, foreign service companies were not considered to be feasible due to their waiting queues and the time required for shipping overseas. This scenario initiated collaboration between the power company and domestic machine shops to manufacture spare parts and conduct the overall repair on site. This was due to several reasons such as; currency exchange rate, machines and know-how at the machine shops had improved over the last decade and the fact that the power company was ready to pay for the development cost. This paper presents the problem, how it was solved collaboratively domestically in only a fraction of time that conventional procedures would have taken. The paper investigates the causes of the turbine failure and provides a description the current state of turbine repair facilities in Iceland.Copyright