Utilization of geothermal energy in Iceland

Abstract

Geothermal energy provides over half of the primary energy supply of Iceland. The principal use of geothermal energy is for space heating and about 87% of all energy used for house heating comes from geothermal resources. The paper gives an overview of the main utilization sectors for geothermal energy in Iceland. Space heating is by far the most important one, but other sectors of direct use briefly described are: swimmingpools, snow melting, industrial uses, greenhouses and fish farming. Geothermal energy plays an important role in fulfilling an increasing electricity demand in the country and several new installations for geothermal power production are at the planning stage.