Is all Power in Iceland Geothermal?

No.

Iceland uses a number of energy sources. The electrical power is all generated from renewable energy sources. Approximately 10 to 15% of electricity is generated by geothermal wells. The remainder by hydroelectric dams.

Icelandic homes and businesses consume less than 10% of electric power, with the remainder going to high power consumption industries like aluminum smelters.

Iceland does use petroleum based fuels for its automobiles, but is researching methods to replace this use through both electric and hydrogen fueled vehicles.

Geothermal wells also provide water for zone heating and domestic hot water. The spent zone heating water is in turn used to warm swimming pools and even a beach in Reykjavik harbor.

My Introduction to Iceland

My first trip to Iceland was in May of 2007. I travelled there as an advisor to a US Venture Capital firm considering an investment in data centers. As a data center guru, I was tasked to evaluate the significance of the opportunity. I delve into that in my other blog, but here I want to focus on the truly amazing experience that I had with Iceland as a country and its people.

When you think of Iceland or read about it there is a theme of isolation and homogeneity. I guess that is what I expected, but what I found was quite different. Start with the weather...it changes faster than New England and our saying is "if you don't like the weather, wait 20 minutes." The landscape and countryside is highly variable from lava fields that look like the moon, to ancient farm fields like any in Scotland to mountains, glaciers, and highlands.

At the time of my visit, Iceland was near its economic peak and the wealth was apparent everywhere. Luxury cars were the standard, new apartments, hotels, office buildings, restaurants, and even an opera house were under construction. People were flocking from eastern (and even western) Europe to take advantage of open migration and capture some of the wealth.