Geothermal Power in Iceland - Test 8

C1 Advanced · Gapped Text · Cambridge English Advanced 2, Cambridge University Press

You are going to read a magazine article about geothermal power in Iceland. Six paragraphs have been removed from the article. Choose from the paragraphs A-G the one which fits each gap (1–6). There is one extra paragraph which you do not need to use.

Geothermal Power in Iceland

Iceland makes use of geothermal power, where heat from the centre of the earth causes water below the surface to become superheated in the form of hot springs or geysers

However, not everyone is convinced that this is the way forward. Experts maintain that compared to the geological time scale of oil regeneration, geothermal energy is relatively renewable.

In less than a decade, these new plants were producing 870,000 tonnes annually, virtually all destined for overseas markets. Soon, such exports were eclipsing fisheries exports in value for the first time in the island's history.

Not only that, but Iceland's geothermal power sector as a whole is likely to incur public criticism. Given that the industry has already drawn some negative publicity, it could do without further condemnation.

Geothermal resources may be renewable if used sustainably, but they aren't emissions free, as locals and visitors who walk the streets of Iceland's capital can testify. However, emissions rates associated with geothermal power plants are much lower than emissions from coal or natural gas-fired power plants.

Given the vast amounts of energy flowing just below the ground, it's little wonder that Iceland is now pushing the boundaries of geothermal technology and resource use. While naturally hot water has long been harnessed by Iceland's inhabitants, it wasn't until the oil and gas price hikes of the 1970s that the island began to use it to produce electricity.

Acting on these requirements, experiments and projects are underway at various sites to ensure that the situation is brought under control. It should soon be clear how successful they've been.

It was recently announced, for example, that the national power company had signed an agreement to supply power to a new silicon production plant being constructed in Helguvik on Iceland's southwest coast. Ecologists, however, have renewed their concerns.

Fast forward in time, and geothermal resources now produce 25% of Iceland's electrical power, as well as meeting the country's heating and hot water needs. On the face of it, Iceland appears to be sitting pretty with regard to renewable energy supplies. However, the country's geothermal resources aren't quite as clean, green or limitless as you might imagine. Studies have shown that the overuse of geothermal resources degrades water reserves permanently, or for significant lengths of time. According to energy consultant Ketill Sigurjonsson, there is an ongoing debate about just how sustainable Iceland's geothermal resources are. 'If energy companies can't find a way to stabilise the national power output, then this may create severe difficulties for them further down the line,' he explains.

Much of this is directed at the government's policy several years back of selling vast quantities of energy to metal-producing companies and approving construction of several smelters - the machines used to extract metals from ores. When Iceland's oldest smelter started production more than four decades ago, the country's metal industry accounted for no more than 3% of its Gross Domestic Product.

The smelters now consume about 75% of all electricity generated in Iceland. The contracts the government negotiated with the metal companies mean they pay relatively little for the energy they consume. Measures are therefore being taken to reduce Iceland's dependence on metal production, with the government trying to attract other large-scale end users of electrical power.

'The Icelandic government and geothermal energy companies are now pushing again for the exploitation of Iceland's geothermal resources to serve industry,' says Miriam Rose, a geologist at Reykjavik-based NGO Saving Iceland. 'However, there's increasing evidence that their estimates of available energy are overstated, and there are also serious pollution considerations. Many Icelanders are very worried about this, especially as the springs and geysers are a major tourist attraction.'

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal sites release around five percent of the carbon dioxide, one percent of the sulphur dioxide, and less than one percent of the nitrous oxide that's emitted by a coal-fired site of an equal size. But crucially, Reykjavik Energy's Hellisheidi and Nesjavellir geothermal plants currently emit around 28,000 tonnes of hydrogen sulphide annually. A recent study linked emissions of this gas with the increased incidence of asthma among Reykjavik's residents, and strict new government regulations established in 2010 have forced the geothermal industry to slash hydrogen sulphide emissions from its plants or face closure.

Perhaps the biggest shake-up in the Icelandic geothermal industry will take place if 'Icelink' - a 1,000 kilometre undersea power cable connecting the Icelandic and British grids - gets the go-ahead. Still in the conceptual stage, it would be the longest undersea cable in the world, costing around US$6.6 billion and taking four years to build.

Around 24 million years ago, Iceland first rose from the ocean as a collective of lava and gas-spewing volcanoes. Perched atop the rift between divergent North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, this island of fire and ice is still shaped by powerful subterranean forces. Eruptions, mud pools and spouting geysers are all part of daily Icelandic life. ___ Fast forward in time, and geothermal resources now produce 25% of Iceland's electrical power, as well as meeting the country's heating and hot water needs. On the face of it, Iceland appears to be sitting pretty with regard to renewable energy supplies. However, the country's geothermal resources aren't quite as clean, green or limitless as you might imagine. Studies have shown that the overuse of geothermal resources degrades water reserves permanently, or for significant lengths of time. According to energy consultant Ketill Sigurjonsson, there is an ongoing debate about just how sustainable Iceland's geothermal resources are. 'If energy companies can't find a way to stabilise the national power output, then this may create severe difficulties for them further down the line,' he explains. ___ Much of this is directed at the government's policy several years back of selling vast quantities of energy to metal-producing companies and approving construction of several smelters - the machines used to extract metals from ores. When Iceland's oldest smelter started production more than four decades ago, the country's metal industry accounted for no more than 3% of its Gross Domestic Product. ___ The smelters now consume about 75% of all electricity generated in Iceland. The contracts the government negotiated with the metal companies mean they pay relatively little for the energy they consume. Measures are therefore being taken to reduce Iceland's dependence on metal production, with the government trying to attract other large-scale end users of electrical power. ___ 'The Icelandic government and geothermal energy companies are now pushing again for the exploitation of Iceland's geothermal resources to serve industry,' says Miriam Rose, a geologist at Reykjavik-based NGO Saving Iceland. 'However, there's increasing evidence that their estimates of available energy are overstated, and there are also serious pollution considerations. Many Icelanders are very worried about this, especially as the springs and geysers are a major tourist attraction.' ___ According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal sites release around five percent of the carbon dioxide, one percent of the sulphur dioxide, and less than one percent of the nitrous oxide that's emitted by a coal-fired site of an equal size. But crucially, Reykjavik Energy's Hellisheidi and Nesjavellir geothermal plants currently emit around 28,000 tonnes of hydrogen sulphide annually. A recent study linked emissions of this gas with the increased incidence of asthma among Reykjavik's residents, and strict new government regulations established in 2010 have forced the geothermal industry to slash hydrogen sulphide emissions from its plants or face closure. ___ Perhaps the biggest shake-up in the Icelandic geothermal industry will take place if 'Icelink' - a 1,000 kilometre undersea power cable connecting the Icelandic and British grids - gets the go-ahead. Still in the conceptual stage, it would be the longest undersea cable in the world, costing around US$6.6 billion and taking four years to build.

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