Projects
A selection of our research projects, ongoing and completed.
Jarðvísindastofnun HÍ
The equipment consists of a magnetometer and a drone. The magnetometer is a MagArrow from Geometrics and is specially made for measurements with a drone, but can also be used for measurements from a helicopter or aeroplane. The drone is a DJI Matrice 600 Pro. The equipment is intended to add to the capacity already available in geophysical exploration in Iceland, where the equipment for such measurements is mainly held by ÍSOR and the University of Iceland. There is cooperation on equipment build-up and this equipment is part of it.
Orka náttúrunnar
H2S emissions from geothermal power plants create air pollution, similar to CO2, and the conversion / mineralisation / disposal of the gas into minerals is today the most desirable way to handle geothermal emissions. The aim of the project is to test and develop various geophysical methods that can be applied to the monitoring of mineral uptake of subsurface gas and to follow what is in fact happening beneath the surface.
Carbfix
The aim of the project is to bring together universities and research institutions in Iceland and in Europe to further develop Carbfix mineralisation of CO2 and to make it possible to use seawater for injection. Laboratory experiments, carried out partly by the University of Iceland, have already shown positive results under controlled conditions, but a high concentration of dissolved elements in seawater can hinder the formation of carbonates and create undesirable precipitates.
TNO
For green cities (mission Horizon Europe), geothermal energy is expected to be used widely in urban areas for heating instead of fossil fuels. Geothermal utilisation in urban areas can be complex, even though the geothermal systems are relatively well known. The main aim is to demonstrate the possibility of a 30–100% increase in the main geothermal use for heating in urban areas in the northern part of the EU. RESULT achieves this by applying 1) optimisation methods and drill-and-learn approaches, 2) model calculations and uncertainty assessment, 3) using the best technology, 4) optimising methods for different conditions in Europe. The innovations will be 5) used in the design and drilling of doublet wells in the Netherlands.
Orkuveita Reykjavíkur
The main aim of the project is to use the so-called Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) methodology to assess the likelihood of successful geothermal prospecting in volcanic areas and, in the process, to improve it. In short, the method consists of using diverse geoscientific data to determine the likelihood of high temperature and good permeability in the ground. The method is well known in the oil and gas industry and has produced good results in the search for subsurface resources. Now it is time to develop this method for geothermal prospecting in a volcanic environment.
GFZ Potsdam
In this project, attention is directed at the geothermal fluid itself and its nature. Solutions will be sought to the various chemistry problems that may arise at the production stages of geothermal energy. The aim of the project is to increase efficiency in all geothermal operations and to make geothermal utilisation as economical as possible, so that the use of fossil fuels can be reduced. ÍSOR's part concerns in particular investigating how chemical samples can be taken from geothermal fluid at great depth (3–5 km), where the temperature and pressure are much higher than has previously been worked with.
