The Reykjanes power station (known as Reykjanesvirkjun [ˈreiːcaˌnɛsˌvɪr̥cʏn]) is a geothermal power station located in Reykjanes at the south-western tip of Iceland.
As of 2012, the power plant generated 100MWe from two high pressure 50MWe turbines, using steam and brine from a reservoir at 290 to 320 °C (554 to 608 °F), which is extracted from 12 wells that are 2,700 m (8,900 ft) deep. This was the first time that geothermal steam of such high temperature had been used for electrical generation.[1]
In May 2023 a low pressure 30 MWe turbine started operation, bringing the power output of the plant to 130 MWe. The turbine uses medium and a low pressure steam at about 155 °C (311 °F) and 105 °C (221 °F) coming from the separation station that separates steam from geothermal fluid. The residual heat from the cooling water is used to heat sea water for fish farming.[2]
The power plant was open to the public and housed the Power Plant Earth interpretative exhibition. However, the exhibit was closed in June 2018.[3]
From December 2023 staff based at the Reykjanes power station controlled remotely the geothermal Svartsengi power station which was threatened by volcanic activity.[4]
See also
- Geothermal power in Iceland
- List of largest power stations in the world
- List of power stations in Iceland
- Renewable energy in Iceland
References
- ^ "Reykjanes Geothermal Power Plant". Power Technology. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "Stækkun Reykjanesvirkjunar lokið".
- ^ "Power Plant Earth". Facebook. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ Ketilsson, Páll (1 December 2023). "Þrekvirki unnið við að halda framleiðslunni órofinni og efla á sama tíma varnir fyrirtækisins". www.vf.is (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.