Leader Use of Clean Energy

I C E L A N D

Hayley Jensen

Why ICELAND?1. Rich history2. Natural resources & geography3. Focus on environmental conditions4. Government & social trends

Humble History:• Location: North Atlantic Ocean• Reykjavik, Iceland- est. 1786• Settlers referred to the area as a “Smoky Bay” where

“columns of steam” rose from the ground• Independence 1800s• Population of Reykjavik: 200,000• Geography: Snow & glaciers, moderate coastal region

Geological & Locational Resources

• One of the most volcanic regions of the world• Over 200

volcanoes• “Iceland Plume”• Hundreds of

waterfalls

Using Clean Energy & Available Resources

HYDROGEN• Reduces pollution-

only emits H20• Can be produced

in many ways and in many places

• Electrolysis can be performed with renewable clean energy sources

• Can be produced almost everywhere

GEOTHERMAL

• Creates no pollution

• Power plants are less expensive to build

• No fuel is required

• Utilizes local resources when available

• Makes use of natural sources of power

• Renewable on certain scales

• Inexpensive

HYDROELECTRIC

The power of progress:Geothermal Energy , hydrogen fuel & hydroelectric power spread across Iceland

“There is no more active ‘hot spot’ on earth than Iceland & nowhere a greater variety of volcanoes” –

Dr. Gunnar Karlsson (Icelandic Historian)

Innovations:• Geothermal:5 major geothermal plants & growing.1% of energy from fossil fuels• Hydroelectric power:Major hydroelectric plantsUse of clean electric cars • Hydrogen Fuel:Plans to be 100% fossil-fuel-freePhase-in hydrogen project in 2003 Cars, boats etc. run solely on hydrogen by 2050Hydroelectric cars made public in 2010

Governmental & Social Initiation• Climate Change Strategy in 2007• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the

Kyoto Protocol.• Increased carbon sequestration from the atmosphere • Research and innovation • Promotion of the exportation of Icelandic expertise • Government preparation for adaptation to climate

change.• Innovation initiated highly by citizens and government

-public willingness to embrace new policies-government projects-free parking & low prices for “clean cars”

Benefits of Using One’s Resources:• 82% of power needs met by clean energy• Free of dependence on foreign fuel • Reduction anthropogenic pollution• Creation of specialized jobs• Low heating and electricity costs• Acceleration of top industries: • Aluminum smelting• Geothermal energy• Hydropower• Fishing Industry

“The increase in manufactured products since the 1970s is mainly due to a few attempts to strengthen the basis of the Icelandic economy by utilizing hydroelectric power”- Kirsten Hastrup (Anthropologist for Oxford University)

Leader in “Green Living”1st to be cited as “green” and “ecofriendly” by

Greenmap System

#1 in “World’s Greenest Cities” of 2011 according to Green Buzz Magazine

According to GE (General Electric), #1 “Country With Cleanest Energy”

Ranked #1 out of countries meeting their set environmental policy initiatives in the “World Economic

Forum” an index formulated by Yale and Columbia

Conclusions:• Successful use of clean & efficient energy• Momentum towards a sustainable future• Independent energy resources in the

world market• Importance of societal and governmental

commitment• Unique but replicable