Svartsengi is a 76 MW geothermal power plant in Iceland, operated by HS Orka since 1977. Ranked #4 of 6 geothermal plants in Iceland. Its 76 MW represents 13.29% of Iceland's total geothermal capacity of 572 MW. The largest geothermal plant in Iceland is Hellisheiði at 213 MW, making Svartsengi 2.8 times smaller. Nearby plants within 50 km include Reykjanes (100 MW, Geothermal). The facility is located in the Reykjanes Peninsula, approximately 50 km southwest of Reykjavik.
49 years old
Iceland, Europe
Location
Zero Direct Emissions
Svartsengi is a geothermal power plant producing approximately 533 GWh of clean electricity per year with zero direct CO₂ emissions during operation.
Lifecycle emissions: ~38 g CO₂/kWh (manufacturing, transport, decommissioning)
Technical Details
- Primary Fuel Type
- Geothermal
- Energy Source
- Renewable
- Country
Iceland- Continent
- Europe
- Data Source
- Global Power Plant Database
Nearby Power Plants
Understanding Geothermal Power Generation: An Overview
Geothermal power generation harnesses the Earth's internal heat to produce electricity. This renewable energy source exploits the thermal energy stored beneath the Earth's crust, which can be accessed through geothermal power plants. These plants typically utilize steam or hot water from geothermal reservoirs to drive turbines that generate electricity. The process begins by drilling wells into geothermal reservoirs, often located in tectonically active regions, where the temperature gradient is favorable for energy extraction. The steam or hot water extracted is then channeled to turbines, converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, which is subsequently transformed into electrical energy by generators.
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