Enhanced Agricultural Production From an Intensive Bottom Heat System Using Waste Geothermal Hot Water and Steam Condensate in Iceland

Abstract

The authors? previous work [1, 2] established that using the waste heat in an intensive bottom heat system enables growth of out of zone plants, enhancing agricultural production by 20% while extending the growing season. Tomatoes that do not survive outdoors in Iceland have produced ripe fruit. A zucchinis harvest was documented and the test banana plant was still alive in September after the first frost. Their counterparts died in the control garden. The authors? last GRC paper in 2011 described the initial results in Hveragerdi at the Agricultural University of Iceland. Additional gardens were established at the HNFLI clinic using a gravity fed waste hot water from the heated swimming pool. Waste heat from a contiguous heated green house was also added to the system. A third garden was constructed at The Keilir Institute of Technology in Reykjanesbaer. Construction and design considerations are described in addition to better than expected plant growth results.