Geothermal energy breakthrough results from accident in nonprofit’s drilling

The discovery is considered important enough to potentially change the industry

In Iceland, geothermal energy isn’t anything new, that said, its true potential has barely been touched, and technology is changing rapidly.

It is a form of eco-friendly energy readily available in the country

In Iceland, geothermal energy is already providing 66 percent of the country’s overall energy needs as well as 25 percent of its electricity output.

This form of energy is produced when the hot water or steam produced when it is heated from natural sources of underground heat is used to power turbines.  This occurs without producing any carbon emissions. This form of renewable power has been an important part of the power mix while offsetting the variability in reliability from other renewable electricity sources such as solar and wind.

A nonprofit recently accidentally made a geothermal energy discovery

Canary Media, Kafla Magma Testbed’s nonprofit research initiative, intends to drill a couple of holes within the next four years for testing the viability and efficiency of harnessing geothermal energy from the heat naturally stored under the surface of the Earth.

The first well is slated to be drilled in 2026.  It will provide the opportunity for researchers near the Krafla volcanic caldera to examine and study “supercritical” fluid reservoirs, which contains between three and four times more power than conventional hot water.  It will also be supporting crews in creating predictions of volcanic activity and deciding where to drill and where to drill in order to find liquid rock but without hitting magma.

The first well will prepare for the second one

The research that will occur throughout the preparation for and drilling of the first well will ready the researchers for the second geothermal energy well. That well is planned for drilling in 2028. They will use that well to try to produce power using the heat stored underground.  The hope is that the equipment will be able to withstand the pressure and heat from below the surface in that area.

This Iceland Deep Drilling Project is among the results of an accidental discovery made fifteen years ago when drilling a geothermal energy well near Krafla.