Iceland is digging the deepest geothermal well on the planet in the heart of a volcano. This project seeks to harness renewable energy housed at a depth of 5 kilometers. The drilling is done in the reykjanes peninsula, where a volcano that has been inactive for 700 years is the epicenter of this exploitation.
The IDDP project: technological innovations
El Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP), in collaboration with Statoil, is seeking an innovative approach to increasing the efficiency of geothermal energy. The peculiarity of this well lies in the combination of extreme pressure y high temperatures. Those in charge of the project hope that, when temperatures reach 500 degrees Celsius, they will generate what they call "supercritical smoke"a mixture of steam and water that would increase the capacity of energy generated.
According to Ásgeir Margeirsson, CEO of HS Orka, the goal is to take advantage of this phenomenon to generate up to 50 MW of electricity per well, thus multiplying production by ten compared to other conventional geothermal wells 2,5 kilometres deep, capable of generating around 5 MW.
The challenge of drilling in volcanic environments
One of the most significant challenges of this project is drilling in a highly unstable volcanic environment. A previous attempt six years ago hit magma at 2,1 kilometres, resulting in the destruction of the drilling equipment. These extreme conditions make drilling close to magma extremely complex and dangerous.
Speaking to the press, Ásgeir Margeirsson stressed that There is no guarantee of success due to the unpredictable nature of the subsoil at such depths. Despite the risks, the scientists involved believe that it is possible to meet the challenges.
Energy and environmental impact
Iceland is already an undisputed leader in the use of geothermal energy. Approximately 26% of electricity of the country comes from these sources. In 2013, installed capacity reached 665 MW, generating a total of 5.245 GWh of electricity. However, scientists hope that the new wells will not only optimize this performance, but will also reduce the need to drill many more wells, thus minimizing the environmental impact.
Geothermal energy, despite being considered a renewable alternative, is not without its critics. For example, Greenpeace has warned about the CO2 and sulphur emissions that some wells produce. However, experts in Iceland say that these emissions are minimal compared to fossil sources and that technologies for treating these gases are advancing rapidly.
International collaborations and the future of geothermal energy
Iceland is not alone in the quest for supercritical geothermal energy. Countries like Kenya, Japan e Indonesia are investing in this technology to take advantage of the Earth's inexhaustible heat. In the case of Iceland, it is hoped that the exploitation of the Reykjanes deposit could contribute to supplying electricity not only to its population of 370.000 inhabitants, but also to export it to countries such as United Kingdom, which could be connected via a submarine cable.
In fact, according to engineer Albert Albertsson, it would take between 30 and 35 conventional wells to supply a city like Reykjavik, while Only three to five supercritical wells would be sufficient to meet these energy needs.
The potential of supercritical wells
One of the most amazing features of this project is the use of supercritical steam. This state of matter, which is neither liquid nor gas, is formed when water and magma reach a critical point within the Earth's crust. This vapor is capable of transporting up to ten times more energy than conventional geothermal steam, which could revolutionize geothermal power generation worldwide.
La collision of magma with water The high pressure and temperature of seawater generates this supercritical steam, which has an almost unlimited capacity to generate energy. If the IDDP project can prove that this steam can be harnessed sustainably, Iceland could become the vanguard of a new era in the use of clean energy.
What's next for the Iceland Geothermal Project?
Over the next seven years, IDDP plans include drill and test several wells in supercritical zones. The goal is not only to increase energy generation, but also to reduce dependence on Fossil fuelsIn the long term, the industry hopes that this technology will allow fewer wells to be drilled, but with greater capacity, so that the environmental impact is minimal.
This type of development will not only be crucial for Iceland, but also for the international community. According to experts, this technology could be replicated in other countries with similar geothermal characteristics, becoming a key piece within the framework of the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Iceland has repeatedly demonstrated that it can be a unique natural laboratory for both geothermal research and the development of new technologies. This project promises not only to harness the nation's volcanic resources sustainably, but also to boost scientific research into one of the most pressing issues of our time: the transition to renewable energy.