Repurposing Waste Geothermal Hot Water for Outdoor Agricultural Enhancement in Hveragerdi

Abstract

For the last ten years the authors have been developing and field testing an intensive soil warming technology using 60 degree waste geothermal hot water that has enabled outdoor agricultural crops - that normally grow in warmer climates - to grow in colder climate. Pipes at a depth of 25 centimeters create soil temperature of greater than 30° degrees C. Recent harvests at the Agricultural University of Iceland in Hveragerdi include oregano, turnips, zucchinis and celery. A small production garden is being developed and commercial viabilities are being investigated. This paper presents the setup and the experimental results.