One district heating system

In 2018, work began on a research project concerning the unification of the district heating system in the capital area. The system is twofold; on the one hand, heated groundwater from Orka náttúrunnar's geothermal power plants and, on the other hand, low-temperature water from Veitur. These two types of water cannot be mixed due to the formation of precipitates. The goal of the 'One District Heating System' project is to change the hot water production at Orka náttúrunnar's power plants so that water is produced that can be mixed with the low-temperature water in the district heating distribution system of the capital area without forming precipitates.

The project is incredibly important as it contributes to a greatly improved resource utilization for Reykjavík Energy, both in the low-temperature areas of Veitur in the capital region and in the power plants of Orka náttúrunnar in Hengill. As we will operate the system with baseload and peak load, we can make the low-temperature areas last longer into the future, significantly increase the utilization of hot water from the power plants, thereby reducing their environmental impact, and produce a new product that can be sold on the market.

In addition, the project will increase the maximum power output from currently utilized resources, increase the efficiency of the power plants' thermal production, which results in less resource waste, as well as reducing the environmental impact.

Research is promising and has already been utilized for water changes and summer rest periods in low-temperature areas in the capital region. If the project is successful, the process will begin on a small scale at Hellisheiði to prove its effectiveness in a comparable system, eventually being built up to full scale. The research phase of the project will conclude in 2025, at which point preparations will begin for modifications to Orka náttúrunnar's power plants.