SPRING Allocation 2023

Lúna Grétudóttir - 1,000,000 kr.

The objective of this project is to assess the environmental impact of small hydropower plants using life cycle assessment. Small power plants are those with an installed capacity of less than 10MW. The results of the life cycle assessment will shed light on the environmental impact of small hydropower plants. These results will then be compared with the results of life cycle assessments of, on the one hand, larger hydropower plants (>10MW) and, on the other hand, geothermal power plants, and the environmental impacts of these plants will be compared. In addition, the project will examine which factors in the life cycle of small hydropower plants have the greatest environmental impact and what a life cycle assessment can add to a traditional environmental impact assessment.

Gregory P. De Pascale - DKK 4,000,000

A rupture of a fault near Reykjavik in winter that cuts Iceland's Capital City of Reykjavik geothermal heated water for heating and cool fresh water for home and commercial use will be catastrophic. Because this critical infrastructure (i.e. pipelines) cross a number of active faults as part of Iceland's plate boundary that present a rupture hazard to this infrastructure, the identification and characterisation of these faults through mapping and fieldwork in concert with the locations of these pipelines can help identify pipeline crossings that could be retrofitted to make for a more resilient society and prevent loss of service for this critical infrastructure. This 12 month project, lead by Dr. Gregory De Pascale (University of Iceland), with global experience working on active faults related to critical infrastructure (including the City of San Francisco California's water supply), will map and characterise active geologic faults that existing Reykjavik Energy heating water and fresh water pipeline crossing in Reykjavik and environs in order to better understand the hazard and guide engineering solutions. Specific UN sustainable development goals that this project emphasizes are good health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, industry, innovation and infrastructure, and sustainable cities and communities.

Grein Research ehf - 5,000,000 ISK

The use of batteries in the world is constantly increasing, and the need for new types of batteries with higher charging capacity, shorter charging times, higher maximum power, and longer lifespans is immense. Solid-state batteries are a type of battery where the electrolyte, one of the main components of a battery, is no longer a liquid, as in conventional batteries, but a solid material. The project focuses on the development of a new type of such a solid-state battery that significantly changes the traditional design of batteries, which consists of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte in between. This new design will considerably increase battery lifespan, shorten charging times, and increase maximum power. Additionally, this design will greatly expand the range of materials that can be used to produce batteries, which becomes increasingly important as battery use becomes more widespread, since many of the materials currently used in batteries are scarce or rely on polluting mining practices.

Reykjavík University - 5,000,000 ISK

Iceland's government and energy stakeholders seek to shift the Icelandic economy to a completely green economy by 2050. Iceland is already leading the way as it has one of the greenest electricity supply systems in the world. However, there are still other polluting forms of energy, particularly in the transport and agricultural sectors. With growing energy demand and committed global efforts to cut GHG emissions, Iceland seeks to shift these sectors from fossil fuel to renewable energy. We will develop a national-scale optimization-based energy transition model using the TIMES modeling framework. The Iceland TIMES model will provide the capacity to answer strategic questions and support informed decision-making. Questions such as what is the impact of low-carbon scenarios and policies, the supply-demand expansion, and cost impact. To provide this capacity the model will have enhanced timescale granularity and the capacity to account for the evolution of varied generation mixes and future production technology. Currently, a model with these capabilities does not exist for Iceland. Having an optimization model with these capabilities will provide insight, and increase transparency. Furthermore, leveraging the TIMES framework provides ease in collaborating and comparing with other nations that already use the framework including the Nordic countries.

Varða - Labour Market Research Institute - ISK 5,000,000

The project will map the situation of parents in Iceland based on their opportunities to reconcile family and work life, considering the organisation of work and school. Research shows that people's opportunities to reconcile their professional and private lives have wide-ranging effects on, among other things, physical and mental health, satisfaction, and job performance. Although Iceland is seen as a model for gender equality, the gender pay gap is a reality, women work part-time to a much greater extent, and they still bear the main burden of household and childcare responsibilities. International research also shows that women are more likely to be responsible for childcare due to illness and school holidays. Where governments have promoted a family-friendly society with an emphasis on equalising the status of the genders, such measures have yielded results. It has also been shown that raising wages in traditionally female-dominated jobs equalises the responsibilities between women and their partners. The aim of the research is to shed a comprehensive light on the situation of parents in Iceland in three ways: a) Their attitudes towards reconciling family and private life, which will be surveyed among people with families. b) Interviews with parents about the challenges they face and ways to improve them, and c) Mapping the difference between employees' holiday entitlements and the school calendar of preschools and primary schools.

Lára Jóhannsdóttir - ISK 3,000,000

Humanity is facing difficult environmental and social challenges, such as climate change, overexploitation of resources, loss of biodiversity, and inequality. This puts a strain on factors that are important for the well-being of societies, i.e., the social foundation and the planetary boundaries. Within these limits, solutions have been developed and applied, including sustainable business models and the circular economy. Iceland lags behind in research in this field, both in international and Nordic comparisons. The main objective is therefore to research selected Icelandic industries based on the concepts of sustainable business models and the circular economy, for example, by defining their characteristics, stakeholders, drivers, and barriers, and by linking this to the creation of dynamic system models. As knowledge of these factors in the Icelandic context is limited, qualitative methods, such as interviews, focus groups, and/or workshops, will be used to gather data and answer the project's research questions. The project will contribute to theoretical knowledge creation regarding sustainable business models, the circular economy, and dynamic system models, building on the findings for selected Icelandic industries. The project also has practical and political significance by enhancing the understanding of how to design and apply the aforementioned models and methods and by highlighting how to overcome barriers to their implementation in selected industries. Thus, the project lays the foundation for an improved quality of life in Iceland.

Tarek Zaqout - DKK 5,000,000

Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) are an important mitigation and adaptation measure for achieving climate resilient cities. Cities in cold climates are particularly susceptible to increased frequency and magnitude of winter floods caused by changing rainfall, snow, and soil frost patterns. The overarching goal of this research is to assess the long-term hydrological performance of SUDS in a changing cold climate. The Mosagata urban catchment in the BREEAM certified neighborhood of Urriðaholt in Garðabær will be used as a study site for a multifaceted research program: First, the response of three different SUDS elements (two rain gardens and a front lawn) to various degrees of soil frost and repeated freeze-thaw cycles will be monitored for one year. Second, the SWMM hydrological model will be tested and calibrated both for the Mosagata catchment and the individual SUDS elements therein using the collected field observations. Third, the long-term (historical and projected) hydrological performance from plot to catchment scale will then be modeled for the Urridaholt site of different climate scenarios. The proposed research will enhance inter-disciplinary knowledge in the fields of urban hydrology, soil science, and climate action whilst providing practical information for practitioners and having societal benefits.

Veðurvaktin ehf - 4,000,000 ISK,

The plan is to run a reanalysis in 3km resolution for Southwest Iceland, going back 20 years, using a new model (CRYOWRF) that calculates both weather and snow cover. Rain-on-snow events will be examined specifically, and the conditions where surface runoff occurs will be investigated. Concurrently, snow transport in the area will be examined. It will be assessed whether, and if so, how much snow is transported between groundwater areas and whether any trends or changes in snow transport can be observed over the last 20 years.

Ásdís Hlökk Theodórsdóttir - ISK 3,000,000

The project involves research into the administration and implementation of planning matters in Icelandic municipalities. Municipalities play a key role in policy-making and the implementation of planning matters, and sound policy-making and decisions in planning are a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable community development, land use, and infrastructure development. Decision-making by municipalities in planning matters is in the hands of elected representatives, supported by professional advice and preparation by experts in planning. There are indications that the professional strength and capacity of Icelandic municipalities in planning matters is limited, which can result in planning decisions being based on insufficient information and non-objective considerations. This can lead to unsustainable community development and land use, and to valuable opportunities being missed. The research project consists, on the one hand, of a review of the quality of recent residential areas and, on the other hand, of a survey among local government officials, municipal planning staff, and planning consultants in order to gain knowledge and understanding of the quality of planning decisions and the professional capacity of Icelandic municipalities in planning matters. This will generate new knowledge for the development of the built environment and the development and maintenance of professional strength in the administration and implementation of planning matters in Icelandic municipalities.

Ásta Ósk Hlöðversdóttir - ISK 5,000,000

There is a great deal of growth in research in the field of wastewater treatment, and in recent years there has been an increasing emphasis on talking about salvaging by-products, especially when it comes to industrial wastewater. Wastewater from breweries is generally very "clean", i.e. free from contaminants other than nutrients, and it is therefore technically easier to collect nutrients from breweries. The aim of this project is to investigate the feasibility of using microalgae to treat Icelandic brewery wastewater.

Naveed Ashraf - 3,000,000 SEK

This project mainly focuses on exploring new catalyst materials among a wide range of transition metal-based combinatorial surfaces for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 and its conversion to useful products for controlling the climate change as well as fulfilling green energy demands. This study investigates the potential activity, selectivity, and stability of novel materials to form hydrocarbons or oxygenates as synthetic fuel or other carbon-based products. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations will be used to study the thermodynamics of the reactions. Free energy diagrams will also be constructed for the CO2 adsorption and its further electrochemical protonation to predict onset potentials required for products synthesis on different catalyst surfaces. To draw the catalytic trend, the famous theoretical-experimental volcano plots for different products will be obtained through scaling relations of adsorbed intermediates. Furthermore, the most promising candidate will be tested experimentally.

Diego Bitzenhofer Betolaza - 1,000,000 SEK

This study is carried out to screen for materials suitable for catalyzing reactions of atmospheric CO2 towards high-value-added chemicals. The ultimate goal is to develop an enhanced energy-efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The CO2RR is a carbon neutral technology and addresses the non-dispatchability of renewable resources by providing energy storage in chemical bonds. This makes CO2RR a promising approach to accelerate transition into renewable resources, with environmental benefits. A total of 7 different material candidates will be investigated based on their stability, selectivity, and activity to catalyst reactions towards desired products including methane, methanol, ethanol, aldehydes, formic acid, and hydrogen. Statements on the study objectives will be based on modelling of electrochemical processes using state-of-the-art density functional theory (DFT) via the Vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP). Based on the modelling-data, comprehensive free energy diagrams and volcano-plots will be generated. They quantify material-specific overpotentials needed to catalyst reaction between intermediates, and the degree of selectivity towards the desired products. Phonon calculations will indicate how stable the materials would be. The most promising material explored here will be tested experimentally for further verification and establishment of an iterative theoretical-experimental feedback loop.

Anna Kristín Einarsdóttir - 3,000,000 kr.

This is the 2nd year application of a three-year PhD project, for which OR provided a grant for 5 million for the first year (2022-2023). This three-year project investigates the concept of an energy sufficient lifestyle, where essential energy use related to well-being is emphasized and excessive energy consumption is minimized. The project's first year yielded a systematic literature review concerning energy footprinting and well-being. It also produced a first calculation of Icelandic energy footprints. The second year will examine the different drivers of energy footprints among population groups, aiming to analyze the sustainability gap between current Icelandic lifestyles and an energy-sufficient lifestyle that maintains high well-being levels. A system dynamics model will further be developed to study how system changes might impact energy use and well-being, which will be connected to policy scenarios in the third year. The project aligns with OR’s prioritized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 12 (sustainable consumption and production), SDG 7 (access to clean energy), and SDG 13 (climate action), where more energy sufficient lifestyles could help reduce energy capacity needs, potentially reducing the need for further investment and associated emissions.

Hera Guðlaugsdóttir - ISK 4,500,000

Sulphur-rich volcanic eruptions can have a significant impact on the climate if the volcanic plume reaches or exceeds the tropopause, due to the radiative effects of the sulphur particles. Such an event can trigger processes within the climate system that affect major weather systems, the thermohaline circulation of the ocean, and the Arctic sea ice. The climate impact of northern volcanic eruptions has been studied less than eruptions occurring at the equator, as the latter are often larger. However, research in recent years shows clearer indications that northern volcanic eruptions can have significant climate and weather impacts, including weaker jet streams and changes in precipitation patterns. As the volcanic systems that have produced many of Iceland's largest eruptions over the last 2000 years are beginning to prepare for an eruption, it is important to be prepared for the possible consequences here in Iceland in the coming years. In this project, precipitation calculations from a climate model (CESM1.2.2), which simulates the behaviour of the climate system after a (theoretical) volcanic eruption is introduced at 65 degrees latitude, will be studied with a focus on the North Atlantic and Iceland. The results will then be used to assess the potential impact of Icelandic volcanic eruptions, as well as the impact of anthropogenic climate change on precipitation in and around Iceland, and the potential effects on the country's energy budget.

University of Akureyri - ISK 1,000,000

The production of biofuels from renewable resources has received a tremendous amount of attention over the past three decades. However, as we turn our attention to the task of creating a circular bioeconomy, we need to consider the potential of using other resources provided by waste streams in terms of both them as a source of raw materials but also energy (such as waste heat). While techniques such as creating bio-ethanol, hydrogen, and methane from waste are well documented, there are opportunities to create more valuable molecules that can not only serve as potential biofuels and reduce the environmental impact of waste discharged to the environment, but also move valuable chemical building blocks such as butanol and hexanol. Waste from microbial treatment of waste is often rich in carboxylic acids such as butyric acid. Fortunately, recent work has demonstrated that some strains within Thermoanaerobacter, thermophilic genus of anaerobes, can reduce carboxylic acids to their corresponding alcohols. The aim of this project is to further develop the use of thermophile anaerobes from the genus of Thermoanaerobacter that have been isolated from environments within Iceland to reduce carboxylic acids to alcohols. To this end, this process will be developed and adapted.

Belgingur ehf - 4,000,000 ISK

The potential of being able to run accurate weather forecasts, at the fraction of current computational cost, is very compelling. Over the past year a plethora of machine learning (ML)-based weather models have taken the Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) community by storm (pun intended). Machine learning models, contrary to NWP ones, are highly resource demanding in the training phase, but require orders of magnitude less resources when the model is applied. Most of the focus in ML-based weather forecasting so far has been put on training machine learning models on global data sets, such as ERA5 reanalysis, which are however usually characterized by low temporal and spatial resolution. In this project, we intend to use our own high resolution reanalysis data for Iceland (IceBox) to train an open-source, pre-trained machine learning weather model called ClimaX. To our best of knowledge this would be a world-first such attempt, and if successful, it would revolutionize the way regional weather forecasting is done.

Magnea Magnúsdóttir - ISK 1,000,000

The debate on the installation of wind farms has been ongoing in Iceland in recent years. With increased demand for electricity in Iceland, more electricity needs to be produced to meet that demand. To supply more electricity, wind turbines can be installed to convert wind into electricity, and power from wind farms is considered clean, renewable energy. In this project, I will investigate the interplay between wind power and other renewable energy sources in Iceland, with a particular focus on the potential synergy between wind and geothermal energy. The project is intended to research how wind power can work with other renewable, environmentally friendly energy sources in Iceland. The project will examine the best way to approach electricity production by harnessing wind, which would be intended to support other renewable electricity production in Iceland, and how wind power can support other environmentally friendly energy sources in Iceland.

Patrick Kant Muanza - 3,000,000 DKK

The Reykjanes Peninsula (RP) in SW-Iceland and the Nyiragongo region (NR) in eastern Congo DR feature distinct geothermal areas that are driven and maintained by the magmatism and volcanism in these regions. These areas have experienced volcano-tectonic unrest of regional extent in recent years, featuring widespread and sustained seismic activity that eventually led to eruptions. All of these events are well-documented and analyzed, although the potential influence of this unrest and those of the past on the geothermal activity in the area have received much less attention, especially on the regional scale. Indeed, the maintenance of long-lived geothermal systems in the crust relies on relatively high, semi-stationary geothermal gradients that depend on a semi-stationary magmatic heat source. On this, spatial and temporal changes in geothermal zones (i.e. heat flux and/or thermal surface manifestations) during and after major volcano-tectonic disturbances must be closely related to the nature and location of the heat source. To investigate these changes, we are using remote sensing to study surface geothermal manifestations by quantifying thermal anomalies and analyzing mineralogical changes and correlating them with past geological events. A model for permanent monitoring of these surface anomalies will be developed for responsible use of this green energy.

Samuel Warren Scott - SEK 1,000,000

Groundwater convection in geothermal systems entails recharge of cold groundwater near the surface, heating at depth, and buoyancy-driven ascent in the upflow zone. In comparison to the hot production wells in the upflow zone, the fluid flow patterns affecting nearby wells with lower temperatures are not well understood. Using long-term production data from the Laugarnes, Ellíðaár, Reykir, and Reykjahlíð low-temperature geothermal systems to calibrate lumped-parameter and numerical models, we will assess how major natural and production-related factors control the flow of colder groundwaters in the subsurface. We will use the calibrated models to predict the long-term temperature evolution of these fields in response to long-term production. This work will be carried out by two MSc students at the University of Iceland. By building fundamental understanding of natural and production-related factors that control the development of cold recharge zones, this project will contribute to more effective long-term management of low-temperature geothermal systems in Iceland.

On to something ehf - 5,000,000 ISK

On to Something serves the circular economy, identifies opportunities for improvement, and pairs the right parties together to create a whirlwind of solutions. On to Something's research and registration of operators' surplus and by-products, and the services and solutions available to them on the waste market, involves, on the one hand, the acquisition of existing data and databases on streams of surplus and by-products (including exempted streams) and renewable resources owned by companies, institutions, and municipalities, and on the other hand, research and mapping of the solutions available for the aforementioned materials on the domestic waste market.

Justine Vanhalst - SEK 4,000,000

Iceland is an island with key renewable energy resources, geothermal and hydro-power, that have made the country a top destination for the global data center industry seeking a more sustainable future. In Iceland, data centers also benefit from the cold climate, keeping computers cool. However, post cooling, this air is released-heated up to 35-50°C into the Icelandic natural environment, a major resource inefficiency for this sector. At the same time in Iceland, the remote location and climate mean that domestic food production is limited by a lack of controlled environment infrastructure, resulting in 80% of fresh fruits and vegetables being imported, driving a carbon footprint comparable to countries without renewable energy resources. The Hringvarmi solution aims to solve both challenges simultaneously- by partnering with data centers to capture excess heat and provide a modular infrastructure necessary for a diversified Icelandic food production sector. The technical and economic feasibility of this solution is already being established and this current VOR project will investigate the climate and energy utilization benefits of the solution for Iceland, to ensure there is robust data behind the claims of this solution. The results of this study will be relevant to global improvements in data center sustainability.

Iceland Glaciological Society - ISK 4,000,000

Iceland’s glaciers offer a connection to climate science embedded in the experiences of visitor and locals. Climate change impacts, otherwise abstract and invisible, are written into the landscape here in a way that can be readily understood and related to. These landscapes can both inform and motivate climate action, but do not do so by default. Tools are needed to visualise changes over time and interpret these according to the science behind the sometimes complex relationships between glaciers, climate and human activity. The RePhoto project will provide a resource to facilitate this while engaging citizen scientists with an expanding yet under-utilised historical photographic record, where the last century of glacier change in Iceland has been preserved. The archives contain many of thousands of photographs - including the recently digitised collection of Jöklarannsóknafélag Íslands – and the task of geolocating them requires local knowledge. This project will develop open and accessible tools for participants to contribute geolocation metadata, along with both virtual and real-world repeat photography to illustrate glaciological and geomorphological changes. Furthermore, visual material will be embedded with textual resources to contextualise the current scientific understanding of climate and glaciers, providing a platform for science communication and improved climate literacy.

University of Iceland - Research Centre in Hornafjörður - ISK 4,000,000

The aim of the project is to develop and test ways to reduce climate anxiety among young people. It is based on close cooperation between a research institute and a non-governmental organisation. The dissemination of knowledge about the effects of global climate change is the focus of the project, which will initially look at communication materials that are already available or in progress, but the final product of the project will be a new communication piece that the participants will create themselves. The participants' reception of the communication materials will be studied and a measurement tool will be designed to assess the impact of participation in the project on their attitudes and well-being. The project will largely take place in six workshops (consultation platforms) that Young Environmentalists will organise and manage. The workshops are intended to encourage creative, critical discussion about the climate crisis within peer groups, where scientific knowledge and communication materials based on such knowledge form the starting point for the discussion. The workshops are particularly intended to increase participants' awareness of their own agency, that is, that they have the ability and opportunity to make their mark in the fight against climate change. The results and products of the project will be presented both in a public forum (website, media coverage) and within the scientific community (symposium, academic articles). It is expected that the project will set a strong example of how young people can do good in environmental matters.

Angel Ruiz-Angulo - DKK 1,000,000

There is no dispute about the anthropogenically induced changes in the ocean and atmosphere temperatures. The greenhouse emissions produce an excess of energy accumulated in the atmosphere, which is then slowly uptake by the ocean. The Sea Surface Temperature (SST) has shown over the last decades a remarkable increase, particularly in the North Atlantic, up to 5C warmer than average near the UK. This persistent excess of ocean temperature above the average value is a Marine Heat Wave (MHW). The opposite, abnormally lower ocean temperatures than the seasonal average are Marine Cold Spells (MCS). In the vicinity of coastal cities, MHWs can increase the heat index; conversely, the MCS increases the cold index. Iceland is in the middle of relevant oceanic current systems, including the Atlantic waters, our main heat source, which is part of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Regionally, around Iceland, we have both MHW and MCS. According to the IPCC report, extreme events are likely to become both more intense and also more frequent. If the MHW and MCS have been following this trend around Iceland, it is then clear that this will have impacts in the future consumption and production of both energy and hot water.

Gerosion ehf - 5,000,000 ISK

In recent years there has been increased interest in the world towards geothermal energy as a greener alternative to fossil fuel-based energy. To extract geothermal energy geothermal wells are drilled to retrieve geothermal steam to produce electricity and hot water for district heating. But geothermal steam contains corrosive species such as H2S, CO2, and Cl- ions. Materials in high temperature geothermal wells that are subjected to the steam can experience corrosion resulting in high costs associated with maintenance, materials and loss in production. This problem becomes more severe when deeper and hotter wells are considered, such as the IDDP3 and the KMT projects. The goal of the project is to develop a protective casing (ProCase) that can protect steel casings in geothermal wells against corrosion and thermal expansion effects so the structural integrity of the wells is not diminished. With ProCase the lifespan of wells can be increased and it can save Icelandic and international power companies an extensive amount of repair cost and the cost of drilling new wells. Current solutions in the market are not equipped to withstand the harsh geothermal environment, due to the high temperature and the corrosiveness of the geothermal steam.

Edita Tverijonaite - SEK 5,000,000

The importance of wind energy for climate change mitigation and the provision of clean and affordable energy is growing worldwide. However, wind energy projects often cause landscape transformation, which can impact other land uses, such as tourism, and are thus often met with opposition. This points to the need for identifying locations which stakeholders perceive as the most and least suitable for wind energy development. Furthermore, in regions relying on tourism it is crucial to identify locations where wind energy projects would have the least impact on tourism. This project aims to address these needs with the focus on Iceland. Quantitative research methods will be employed, and two online surveys will be conducted for this project, one among residents of Iceland and one among tourism service providers operating in the country. In the surveys participatory GIS will be used allowing participants to map the regions perceived as the most/least suitable for wind energy development. Factors shaping participant perceptions will also be explored. This project is expected to facilitate spatial wind energy planning by shedding light on preferences of two important stakeholder groups, and by identifying factors which should be considered when planning wind energy development to ensure stakeholder support.

Alor ehf - 5,000,000 ISK

In this unique project, Alor will develop a new hybrid system to be implemented for fuel savings alongside diesel generators used for electricity production. Research shows that such a system can reduce oil consumption by 15-25%, but the project will also incorporate solar cells and wind turbines to further decrease oil usage. The system's uniqueness lies in its composition of used electric vehicle batteries, which are given a second life. When the capacity of electric vehicle batteries drops below 70-80%, they are generally replaced. At that point, they can be utilized as stationary energy storage systems where the power demand is lower, such as in a hybrid system alongside diesel generators. Electric vehicle batteries are typically replaced after 10-15 years of use, but it is estimated that the additional lifespan of batteries given a second life as stationary batteries can be at least 10 years. In this project, the oil-powered generators will not be replaced; instead, these solutions will be added to them, allowing the energy transition in electricity production to begin in stages without the risks that can accompany a complete system overhaul in one go.

Guðmundur Steingrímsson - ISK 3,000,000

There has been a strong emphasis on implementing a circular economy in Iceland, and new legislation to that effect has come into force in the country. This project will systematically assess the status of the Icelandic circular economy. It will analyze the objectives that the newly adopted implementation of the circular economy is intended to serve and how the concept is defined in official policy. It will also assess the likelihood of the implementation succeeding, given known obstacles, and evaluate the probability of the Icelandic circular economy achieving important environmental goals, such as a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, increased sustainability in resource utilization, and less waste in consumption. The relative size of the circular economy will be measured, along with an assessment of the proportion of recycled materials in domestic consumption. This assessment will also identify where the weaknesses lie in the implementation of the circular economy and where opportunities exist to strengthen it. Thus, one of the main objectives of the project is also to outline how extensive the circular economy could potentially become in Iceland, or in other words, what goals are realistic when it comes to its implementation.

Taylor Alexandra Martin - 1,000,000 SEK

The main objective of the project is to evaluate waste streams from electricity and hot water production at the Hellisheiði Cogenerative Geothermal Power Plant located in Iceland. Themes of the project focus on sustainability, cascade utilization, waste reduction, and the circular economy. Three models will be constructed to answer how much annual waste is produced currently at Hellisheiði, how will annual waste change as the availability of the resource changes in the future, and how will annual waste change if updates are made to the geothermal park and power plant? Project methods identify how waste is defined, boundary conditions for waste streams, and thermodynamic and economic relationships. In partnership with Reykjavik Energy, an existing geothermal park contract and planned addition to the power plant itself will be modelled. Models serve as a tool for identifying where action can be taken to reduce waste, estimating how streams can be allocated towards a specific industry partner in the park, and inform future trends.

Bahadir Turkyilmaz - SEK 1,000,000

The flow of a fluid heated from below and cooled from above, resulting in turbulent thermal convection is widely studied experimentally and numerically. Turbulent thermal convection plays significant role in a variety of natural phenomena and technological applications. This includes convection in the atmosphere, oceans, thermohaline circulation and planetary formation models. Although turbulent thermal convection has been investigating vastly, a number of issues remain to be fully understood, especially when considering the Lagrangian description of the transport properties of convective turbulence. Temperature, velocity and acceleration measurements have a significance to the investigation of convective flow systems. Nonintrusive measurements of temperature, velocity and acceleration for convective flows are possible by utilizing colour signals of thermochromic liquid crystals (TLCs), particle image velocimetry (PIV), simultaneously. Our interest lies in advancing the Lagrangian detection by combining temperature field measurements based on TLCs and Lagrangian Particle Tracking (LPT).