Day 17

Day 17 route and stops

Day 17 was spent around Reykjavik. First thing was a visit to the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant (Stop A), where there is a large geothermal exposition (essentially a small museum with views of the power plant). The 300MW power plant is one of the largest geothermal power producers in the world and is located over the Mid-Atlantic Rift. Two to three km deep bore holes extract superheated water that powers the turbines and generators. The plant also uses heat exchangers to heat fresh water that is piped to Reykjavik to heat the buildings. The plant uses carbon sequestration technology that traps CO2 and other gases released from the geothermal water and pipes it back into the rocks for sequestration.

The afternoon was spent exploring the harbor, old district and shopping areas of Reykjavik (Stop B).

Approaching the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant

Yellow generators and high pressure turbines to left inside Hellisheidi Power Plant

Heat exchangers at Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant

Insulated hot water pipe heading to Reykjavik. The water only loses 2 degrees C on the 20 km trip to heat the city.

Moss covered lava flow near the power plant

Sculpture in front of Reykjavik’s Harpa Concert Hall, one of the iconic buildings in the Icelandic capital.

Front of Harpa Concert Hall. Note the hexagonal forms reminiscent of basalt columns commonly found throughout the country. These hexagonal forms are also used on the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik seen below.

Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church

Cairns on Reykjavik waterfront

Reykjavik street scene

Sun Voyager sculpture