The Icelandic Miracle

Iceland has some claim to be the founder of modern democracy, having a representative assembly in 930 ad.  It has retained its language to a greater extent than any other country, and Icelanders today can still read sagas written a thousand years ago.

However, Iceland is also a modern country.  In the past thirty years it has changed from one of the poorer countries of Europe to one of the most prosperous.  A major factor in this transformation is the change from largely coal based electricity generation to using completely renewable sources.

Hydroelectricity

Iceland generates much of its electricity from its water.  Iceland has mountains and glaciers which provide water as they melt.  Although this resource is exploited, there is still an enormous untapped hydroelectric potential in the country.

Geothermal

Iceland has some of the most efficient geothermal power plants in the world.  The country is on the mid Atlantic ridge and is very volcanically active.  As with the hydroelectricity, there is still enormous untapped potential.

Apart from electricity generation, the hot water from the ground is used to heat most of the buildings in Iceland as well as many all weather open air swimming pools and some roads, footpaths and parking areas.

Power Conversion

It has been suggested that Iceland has so much potential for cheap power generation that it could export electricity to either Europe or America.  There are practical difficulties with this idea, but Iceland is already exporting products that depend on electricity.

Aluminium

Iceland imports bauxite (Aluminium ore) and uses its cheap power to produce refined aluminium which is exported.

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are still used in Iceland.  Most of the vehicles run on fossil fuels, and Iceland’s fishing fleets also use a lot. 

Hydrogen

Iceland is already trying out Hydrogen for some of its buses.  I applaud their attempts, but I remain somewhat doubtful about whether Hydrogen is really the fuel of the future

Sources

http://www.sagas.is/fradi.htm

http://www.reuk.co.uk/Renewable-Energy-in-Iceland.htm

http://www.icelandexport.is/english/industry_sectors_in_iceland/energy_in_iceland/

http://thinkgeoenergy.com/archives/3351