Egill Maron has a Ph.D. from Chalmers University of Technology in Thermo- and Fluid Dynamics. Egill Maron is currently working at EFLA Consulting Engineers in Iceland, as a specialist in Thermo- and Fluid dynamics in the Renewable Energy division. Egill works in different fields such as the design of geothermal power plants, energy simulation of geothermal power plants, swimming pools and other industries, and doing CFD in the building environments.

Abstract:

Utilization of low-temperature geothermal water for electricity generation in Iceland

Low and medium temperature geothermal water has been utilized for a long time in Iceland. This utilization has been nearly all direct use, such as space heating, industrial processing or swimming pools. Utilization of low temperature geothermal water for electricity production has not been a commercial success in Iceland. Sveinbjörnsson (2016) did detailed research and mapped out the feasibility of producing electricity with medium enthalpy areas in Iceland. The largest obstacle in utilizing the low temperature geothermal water is the low price of electricity and the high capital cost. At Kópsvatn near Flúðir is a geothermal well that has a temperature of 115°C. There are plans to connect the well to the district heating system in Flúðir, in the near future. The temperature is too high for the district heating system. Therefore, there is a possibility to harness the heat of the fluid from 115°C to e.g. 80°C before the fluid is used in the district heating system. In the spring of 2018, Flúðaorka started construction of a power plant that will utilize the low temperature geothermal water, and have been now generating electricity for one year.