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Posts from the ‘Marine Power’ Category

Jul 1

Landsvirkjun promotes university research and education

The Icelandic power company Landsvirkjun, Reykjavík University (RU), and the University of Iceland have joined forces to support and encourage the development of expertise within the field of renewable energy. The cooperation will strive to create a source of shared value for Landsvirkjun, the universities and Icelandic society by supporting those disciplines where more education and research are vital.

Landsvirkjun-university-cooperation-2013In total, Landsvirkjun has pledged 80 million ISK to the universities over a five year period, to promote education and research in geochemistry, electric power engineering and other academic disciplines within the universities. The cooperation agreement with the University of Iceland has the main objective of promoting and supporting teaching and research in the disciplines of geochemistry, geology, mechanical and industrial engineering. An emphasis will be placed on developing expertise in the field of renewable energy sources. Landsvirkjun and Reykjavík University will also cooperate in promoting research and university education in the field of renewable energy.

Hordur-Arnarson-Landsvirkjun-CEO-presentingWhen signing the Agreement Mr. Hörður Arnarson, CEO of Landsvirkjun, stated that in building a dynamic cooperation between Landsvirkjun and the universities will create shared value for the economy and for society, by sharing expertise and supporting innovation and development in renewable energy sources. The University of Iceland has a long established history in building upon its expertise in these fields and the contract is an extension of decades of cooperation between the university and Landsvirkjun in the disciplines of engineering and the natural sciences. In recent years the Reykjavik University has also been actively developing dynamic courses and expertise in technical subjects, including the utilisation and distribution of renewable energy sources. The financial support from Landsvirkjun will substantially strengthen education, research and the development of projects related to renewable energy within the universities, and increase opportunities for expertise and creativity.

Oct 1

Tidal energy innovation

Recently, the Icelandic National Power Company Landsvirkjun started to prepare the constructions of the first large wind turbines in Iceland. In Iceland, emphasis is also being placed on the utilization of marine power. For example, the Icelandic Innovation Centre has been involved with development of both osmotic energy and tidal power projects. There are also examples of possible upcoming projects, especially focusing on tidal power.

Some of the fiords and bays in Iceland experience strong tidal currents. The tidal wave at Iceland rotates clockwise around the country in 12 hours and 25 minutes, arriving at the south. The mean speed of the wave is around 150 km/hour.l elevations in Iceland are greatest on the west coast, especially in Breiðafjörður where the difference between ebb and flood for mean spring tides can exceed 4 meters. Along the north and east coasts, this difference is considerably smaller, typically one to two meters.

Sjávarorka is an Icelandic firm that was established in 2001 with the main purpose to investigate the possibilities of utilizing tidal power and ocean currents around Iceland.  The company has been focusing is a specific site in the western part of Iceland where the difference between high and low tides is greatest. The plan is to use tidal turbines to harness the tidal current without constructing dams.

In mid-2011, Landsvirkjun decided to become a major shareholder in Sjávarorka, by becoming one of the owners of the company through investments. Since early 2012, Landsvirkjun has around 30 percent  stake in Sjávarorka. As Landsvirkjun is Iceland’s main energy company this may mean that research on Icelandic marine energy will increase substantially.  Here at Askja Energy we will be following the project of Sjávarorka closely and bring our readers news of interesting development of this and other marine energy projects in Iceland.

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