Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/29/2013 - 09:23
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Drumlin Formation in Iceland

Jamie - I'm looking forward to learning about drumlin formation, and also curious about whether you see a lot of alternative energy in use in Iceland. Good luck with the expedition!
- Bruce

Tue, 07/30/2013 - 13:43

Jamie Esler

Hi Bruce,Glad to hear from you. :)
One of the first things I noticed when we arrived in Iceland was the use
of alternative energy to heat domestic water supplies. We are currently
staying at the apartment of one of our Icelandic collaborators (Anders),
and when I took a shower I immediately noticed the strong smell of
sulfur; typically indicative of mineral spring water/hot spring water.
I asked Anders if their hot water came from geothermal sources. "Yes
and no" he replied. Here's the deal:
The geothermal ground water, which is widely abundant across the island,
is not run DIRECTLY through domestic water supplies. Instead, it is
pumped through heat exchangers at water facilities where its energy is
passed to freshwater from nearby streams and lakes. The sulfur smell is
actually from sulfur that is ADDED to this drinking water because
without it, the water would be much too chemically corrosive for the
metallic pipes distributing the drinking water throughout the city.
Apparently many of the warm pools throughout the city of Reykjavik are
heated in this manner; geothermal groundwater and fresh surface water
passing one another in a heat exchanger. There are, however, still many
natural warm mineral pools/hot springs throughout the area as well. :)
Lake City High School, Atlas Elementary, and Woodland Middle School back
home in CDA use this exact same technology for our heating systems.
Only, the geothermal groundwater we use comes from the Spokane
Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, not volcanically active geologic
formations.
I'll be sure to look for some actual geothermal powerplants on our 4x4
drive out of Reykjavik tomorrow and if I see any I will be sure to take
a picture and post it in the next journal for you.
Take Care Bruce!
Jamie