Ágúst Guðmundsson holds an M.S. degree in environmental engineering from the University of Iceland. He started working at Vatnaskil in 2012 and has since 2017 been the manager of Vatnaskil branch office in Akureyri North Iceland. He has a broad experience in the areas of surface and groundwater hydrology, hydrodynamics, distribution networks and urban hydrology, specializing in analyzing natural and manmade systems with the aid of integrated numerical models.
Abstract:
Sustainable District Energy Conference
October 23-25, 2019, Iceland
Utilization of integrated numerical models to manage geothermal resources and district heating networks
Ágúst Guðmundsson, Lárus Þorvaldsson, Eric M. Myer, Sveinn Óli Pálmarsson
Geothermal reservoirs and district heating networks must evolve in response to urban development and increased demand for thermal energy. Various problems may arise due to the increased demand, particularly with respect to increased pressure decline in geothermal reservoirs and insufficient capacity of distribution networks. These problems can lead to reduced deliverability to both new and existing customers and may in some cases require modified development of the resource. Numerical models can be utilized in the analysis of distribution networks and geothermal fields, providing valuable support for the design, planning and operation of geothermal resources and district heating networks. During periods of excessive demand, the geothermal resource may be stressed and potentially utilized in an unsustainable manner, causing excessive pressure decline leading to elevated costs and reduced deliverability of thermal energy. By utilizing an integrated network, resource and financial model, such events can be evaluated and planned for ahead of time to develop operational strategies that find the balance between deliverability to consumers, economic factors and sustainable exploitation of the resource. The benefits of utilizing integrated numerical models in this manner are addressed with examples provided by various applications.