Lava wind thermal power generation

Will Siemens Gamesa build a wind energy system?

Built on the site of an aluminum smelter, the pilot plant can store up to 130 MWh of thermal energy per week. Ultimately the firm wants the system to produce a minimum of 1 GWh. Siemens Gamesa is one of the largest developers and manufacturers of wind energy systems and is looking to expand from that base.

How has geothermal energy revolutionized life in Iceland?

Geothermal energy has already revolutionized life in Iceland. Only around 80 years ago, the country was powered mainly by oil and coal. Now more than 90% of homes are heated by geothermal.

What happens when lava erupts in Iceland?

Once erupted, it becomes lava (pictured). Benjamin van der Spek / shutterstock Iceland is about to tap into water as hot as lava. Several kilometres below ground, a drilling rig named Thor will soon penetrate the area around a magma chamber, where molten rock from the inner Earth heats up water that has seeped through the seafloor.

Would a 1800-degree Magma Power a geothermal system?

Measurements taken at the time showed the power produced by the 1,800-degree magma was 10 times greater than conventional geothermal, which accesses temperatures of around 200 to 300 degrees. Not only would it be more efficient, it would require a lot less land.

Why do Icelanders use geothermal power?

Icelanders have capitalised on this, and now generate more than a quarter of their electricity through geothermal, accessing boiling temperature water within 2km of the surface. Iceland is happy to exploit its unusual geology.

Where can geothermal exploration benefit from active volcanoes?

Anywhere with active volcanoes could potentially benefit from the high temperature geothermal exploration being pioneered by the IDDP. That includes every country around the Pacific Ring of Fire – an opportunity perhaps to extract some benefit from the volcanoes which dot their landscapes.