At ON Power’s Hellisheidi Power Plant, various entities operate with sustainability as the guiding principle. The Geothermal Exhibition in the main building presents visitors with a new perspective on multifaceted value creation and resource circulation. The forces of nature play a central role, presented to the audience in vivid, interactive fashion.
Sustainability at the Centre
The surroundings of the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant are quite awe-inspiring, varying dramatically with the weather each day. The striking architecture and alien-looking equipment outdoors appear almost like something from science fiction, and when the backdrop of moss-covered mountains is added, these contrasting elements create an impressive tableau.
“All the structures at Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant house activities that, in one way or another, aim to utilise the area’s geothermal resources in a natural and sustainable manner,” says Laufey Guðmundsdóttir, the director of the Geothermal Exhibition at the Hellisheidi Power Plant. “Everything we do is geared toward ensuring that our operations leave the land in at least as good condition as it was in before utilisation.”
In the Geothermal Exhibition, the natural water cycle and the path of hot water from boreholes to homes, along with other aspects of the operation, come to life for visitors. In one designated and enclosed space, both art and science converge in a way, offering a unique 14-minute experience through captivating video footage captured by drones, accompanied by soothing music and the subtle hint of an exclusively made scent called “Agndofa,” creating an enchanting ambiance.
The exhibition staff, also known as Science Communicators, expertly guide visitors through the wonders of geothermal energy. Among them are geologists, resource specialists, and environmental scientists who are well-versed in the subject matter.
Resource Circulation and Geothermal Utilization
The Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant is one of the largest of its kind in the world, and the Geothermal Exhibition sheds light on various aspects of its operation—from the very extraction of hot water deep within the earth to its delivery all the way to end-users. The exhibition educates visitors interactively and informatively about how geothermal energy is harnessed to generate electricity for the country and provide hot water for the capital area.
Several other entities operate alongside the Hellisheidi Power Plant within the ON Geothermal Park. Notably, there’s the trailblazing startup Carbfix, a leader in combating climate change by transforming CO2 into rock formations. Also within sight from the power plant, an organisation called Climeworks has facilities at the forefront of global efforts to capture CO2 from the atmosphere. Finally, VAXA Technologies has a presence in the ON Geothermal Park, where they cultivate microalgae and produce, among other things, vitamins.
Despite the abundant natural resources in the Hengill area, all the companies operating there are acutely aware that they must tread carefully and respect the environment. Balancing water and energy utilisation is crucial to ensure a sustainable future. “We need to treat these resources as well as we can, not only directly through our operations but also by thinking beyond them. That includes substantial reforestation efforts,” explains Laufey. “Endless extraction is not sustainable; we must give back in return.”
Behind Every Detail—A Reason
Just as the utilisation of the area’s resources is carefully planned to efficiently harness the geothermal energy of the region, the main building of the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant is a deliberately designed structure. The roof of the power plant and the roof of the exhibition space lean toward each other, imitating the intersection of tectonic plates where Iceland lies. But that’s not all—the distinctive shape of the glass dome in the exhibition space, as well as the pattern in the paving stones in front of the building, points at Snæfellsjökull glacier, which is by many considered one of the world’s seven major power centres. Thoughtful design prevails wherever one looks; no aspect of the architecture is left to chance. Various architectural elements in the main building directly reference features such as tectonic boundaries, geological layers, and other environmental factors which collectively contribute to the presence of geothermal heat beneath the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant.
Otherworldly, Everchanging View
The view from the exhibition space is at once magnificent and variable, according to Laufey. “Some days, the surroundings are shrouded in mysterious fog, while at other times, everything is covered in snow, creating a truly enchanting scene. In clear weather, the mountain peaks stretch out under the blue sky as far as the eye can see, almost completing a full circle.”
Today, the sky is overcast, and fine mist hangs in the air. The green moss appears to glow vividly, covering both lava fields and nearby mountains.
First Stop on the Golden Circle
Increasingly, visitors exploring the Golden Circle make the Geothermal Exhibition their first stop to witness the power and marvels of geothermal water in Iceland. This choice is fitting enough because water and Iceland’s geology are the common thread connecting the sites that form the aforementioned circle: the tectonic boundaries, Öxarárfoss waterfall, the Silfra fissure, and the iconic Thingvallavatn Lake at Thingvellir; the unique and impressive Gullfoss waterfall; and finally, the geothermal heat that propels hot water dozens of meters into the air in the Geysir area. It’s all interconnected and situated in the same part of the country as well.
“We are indeed fortunate to have at our disposal this remarkable educational hub in geology, which Iceland represents. Starting a journey through this unique region here on Hellisheidi is an obvious and natural choice,” says Laufey.
