The role of geothermal resources in sustainable power system planning in Iceland

The aim of this paper was to understand the relevance of accounting for geothermal resource dynamics for sustainable energy system planning in Iceland. This included assessing the implications of transition to electric vehicles as a decarbonisation strategy in Iceland. Therefore, the energy and tran...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Renewable energy 2020-06, Vol.153, p.1081-1090
Main Authors: Spittler, Nathalie, Davidsdottir, Brynhildur, Shafiei, Ehsan, Leaver, Jonathan, Asgeirsson, Eyjolfur Ingi, Stefansson, Hlynur
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Energy system modelling
Geothermal resource dynamics
Iceland
Sustainability
System dynamics
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Summary:The aim of this paper was to understand the relevance of accounting for geothermal resource dynamics for sustainable energy system planning in Iceland. This included assessing the implications of transition to electric vehicles as a decarbonisation strategy in Iceland. Therefore, the energy and transport system model (UniSyD_IS) was linked to a geothermal resource dynamics model. This allowed to capture the effects of geothermal resource utilization for electricity production on a national energy systems level. A total of 16 different scenarios that vary in the rate of economic growth, conditions for electric vehicles and consideration of geothermal resource dynamics were analysed in relation to production patterns, cost, resource availability and emissions. Incorporating geothermal resource dynamics allows to provide more holistic insights for sustainable energy system planning in Iceland, especially regarding the availability of geothermal resources and production cost. •Geothermal resource dynamics are considered for Iceland’s energy system modelling.•Geothermal resource dynamics influence electricity cost and resource availability.•Electro-mobility promotion is not influenced by geothermal resource dynamics.•Increasing geothermal electricity cost conflicts the long-term industrial contracts.•Ignoring geothermal resource dynamics leads to an underestimation of development cost.
ISSN:0960-1481
1879-0682
DOI:10.1016/j.renene.2020.02.046