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The Hellisheiði Power Station (Icelandic: Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈhɛtlɪsˌheiːðarˌvɪr̥cʏn]) is the eighth-largest geothermal power station in the world and largest in Iceland.[1] The facility is located in Hengill, southwest Iceland, 11 km (7 mi) from the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station. The plant has a capacity of 303 MW of electricity and 200 MWth of hot water[2] for Reykjavík's district heating.[3] The power station is owned and operated by ON Power, a subsidiary of Reykjavík Energy.

Quick Facts Country, Location ...
Hellisheiði Power Station
CountryIceland
LocationHengill
Coordinates64°02′14″N 21°24′03″W
StatusOperational
Commission date2006
OwnerON Power
Geothermal power station
TypeFlash steam
Wells50
Max. well depth2,200 m (7,200 ft)
Cogeneration?Yes
Thermal capacity200 MWt
Power generation
Units operational6 x 45 MW
1 x 33 MW
Nameplate capacity303 MW
External links
Websitewww.or.is
CommonsRelated media on Commons
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History

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Hellisheidi Geothermal Plant

Electricity production with two 45 MW turbines commenced in 2006. In 2007, an additional low pressure steam turbine of 33 MW was added. In 2008, two 45 MW turbines were added with steam from Skarðsmýrarfjall Mountain. The hot water plant was introduced in 2010 and the last two high pressure 45 MW turbines were added in 2011. In order to reduce hydrogen sulphide pollution in the capital area a system was added to the plant in 2014 which reinjects non-condensable gases into the ground.[4] In 2020, the hot water production was increased to 200 MWth to meet the increased district heating demand as the capital area expands.[5]

Renewed drilling

In 2016 the operator, ON, announced a program of new drilling to deal with falling steam levels which had first become apparent in 2013. The program was expected in 2017 to cost 19 billion Icelandic crowns to maintain a steady electric output.[6]

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Features

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Boreholes and pipes at the Hellisheidi Geothermal Plant.

The power plant offers educational tours and presentations about sustainable energy as part of its Geothermal Energy Exhibition.[7]

A pilot direct air capture facility operated by Climeworks is co-located at this site. It was partially funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, and captures up to 4000 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. The carbon dioxide is captured, injected into the ground, and mineralized.[8][9][10]

See also

References

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