Development of GSAP - Geothermal Sustainability Assessment Protocol

Abstract

In 2016 three Icelandic Power Companies and two Governmental Agencies formed a Working Group for the development of an assessment tool to measure geothermal sustainability performance; Geothermal Sustainability Assessment Protocol, GSAP. Background: The International Hydropower Association, IHA, introduced in 2010 a multi stakeholder Sustainability Assessment Protocol, HSAP, now applied worldwide, to assess key sustainability factors of Projects, social, environmental and economic. Representatives from IHA, Governments, Finance and NGOs prepared the Protocol. The aim is to measure, guide and improve performance for sustainability topics. Iceland actively participated in the preparation of HSAP. The GSAP Working Group took on to transform this widely accepted HSAP tool to geothermal application. Modifications are kept to a minimum to maintain as possible existing consensus. A Draft GSAP is now prepared and successfully tested for the Preparation Stage of Theistareykir 90 MWe and the Operation Stage of Hellisheidi 300 MWe / 130 MWth.