Straumsvik Sustainable Energy and Carbon Management

Straumsvik is a hub for sustainable energy and carbon management. The area is home to the Straumsvik Power Plant, a geothermal power plant that produces electricity from the heat of the earth.

The plant is a significant contributor to Iceland's renewable energy mix, providing clean and reliable power to the grid. It's a prime example of how geothermal energy can be harnessed to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Straumsvik's unique geology makes it an ideal location for geothermal exploration, with hot springs and geysers dotting the landscape. This natural resource is being tapped to generate electricity and heat for local communities.

By leveraging geothermal energy, Straumsvik is helping to reduce Iceland's carbon footprint and mitigate the impacts of climate change. It's a model for sustainable energy development that's worth paying attention to.

Straumsvík is home to a groundbreaking CO2 storage facility, the Coda Terminal. This facility will receive large quantities of CO2 transported by ship and inject it into the basaltic bedrock, where it turns into stone.

Carbfix estimates that the construction and operation of the Coda Terminal will create 600 jobs, both directly and indirectly. The facility will provide annual storage of three million tonnes of CO2 at full scale.

The Carbfix technology used in the Coda Terminal involves dissolving CO2 in water before injecting it deep underground, where it turns into solid minerals in less than two years. This process requires minimal power and is perfectly suited for the environment in Straumsvík.

The area around Straumsvík is ideal for CO2 mineral storage due to its fresh basaltic lavas and vast sources of groundwater streams. The storage capacity in Iceland is estimated to be around 80-200 times the annual global emission of CO2.

The Coda Terminal will be constructed in three phases, with the aim of commencing operations in 2025 and reaching full scale by 2030.

Energy for Straumsvik is provided by a combination of renewable and non-renewable sources.

The aluminum smelter at Straumsvik relies on hydroelectric power, which is generated by the nearby Hrauneyjafjarðar power plant.

The power plant uses the energy from the Hrauneyjafjall mountain to produce electricity, which is then transmitted to the smelter.

In addition to hydroelectric power, the smelter also uses electricity generated from fossil fuels.

The smelter's energy needs are substantial, requiring a significant amount of power to operate its massive machinery and equipment.