The project replaces an existing utility bridge that served as a pedestrian crossing but featured steep and narrow stairways, creating accessibility challenges for cyclists, wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and other users. The new bridge is designed to provide a safe, accessible, and user-friendly connection that meets modern mobility standards.
Verkís carried out the preliminary design of the bridge in collaboration with Úti Inni Architects, the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, and the City of Reykjavík. The proposed structure is a six-metre-wide timber bridge with separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists, improving safety and traffic flow while supporting the region’s growing active transportation network.
Special attention was given to integrating the bridge into the unique natural environment of Elliðaár Valley. Timber was selected as the primary construction material due to its low environmental impact, carbon storage properties, and lightweight characteristics. The bridge design also preserves access beneath the structure for recreational users, anglers, and maintenance vehicles.
The project represents an important step towards improving accessibility, sustainable mobility, and outdoor recreation opportunities within one of Reykjavík’s most valued natural areas.
The Challenge
Reykjavík Energy owns the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, a combined heat and power plant located about 20 km from Reykjavík in south-west Iceland. The area is one of Iceland’s most active high enthalpy areas. A new area, at Gráuhnúkar, is being investigated for steam and fluid extraction. The purpose of the plants is to meet increased demand for electricity for industrial and domestic use and for hot water for heating. The 303 MWe geothermal power plant in Hellisheiði, Iceland, was commissioned in 5 stages during the years 2006-2011. The first stage was completed in 2006 with two high pressure geothermal turbines of 45 MWe capacity each. The second stage was completed in 2007 with one low pressure geothermal turbine of 33 MWe capacity. The third stage was completed in 2008 with two additional high pressure geothermal turbines, 45 MWe each.
In 2010 a heating plant for hot water generation was added to the plant, intended for district heating. The heat output of the first stage is 133 MWth and two further 133 MWth stages are to follow later. At the same time the Hellisheiði hot water main was put into service. The main is a 19,5 km long pipeline, 0,9-1,0 m in diameter, that carries hot water to Reykjavík. In 2011 the 5th stage of the plant was finished, which includes two new 45 MWe high pressure geothermal turbines, similar to the former turbines, situated in a new power house in Sleggjubeinsdalur.
The plant utilizes 500 kg/s of 180°C geothermal steam for electrical generation. The hot fluid is extracted from 30 wells, 2.000 – 3.000 m deep, and is led through steam and mist separators before entering the turbines. The high pressure steam gathering system operates at 9 bara pressure. The low pressure steam is generated with flashing of brine water from the steam separators at a pressure of 2 bara. The generating units are of single flow, single flash type with axial exhaust. Cooling is achieved through wet cooling towers of the counter flow type.
The main components of the electrical system for each unit consist of a 50 MVA generator, 50 MVA step-up transformer to 220 kV transmission voltage, an 11/11 kV transformer for connection to the 11 kV station service system and two 11/0,4 kV transformers for station service. The generating units, as well as the 11 kV and 0,4 kV distribution boards, are monitored and controlled by the state of the art control- and protection equipment.
Our Solution
Reykjavík Energy owns the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, a combined heat and power plant located about 20 km from Reykjavík in south-west Iceland. The area is one of Iceland’s most active high enthalpy areas. A new area, at Gráuhnúkar, is being investigated for steam and fluid extraction. The purpose of the plants is to meet increased demand for electricity for industrial and domestic use and for hot water for heating. The 303 MWe geothermal power plant in Hellisheiði, Iceland, was commissioned in 5 stages during the years 2006-2011. The first stage was completed in 2006 with two high pressure geothermal turbines of 45 MWe capacity each. The second stage was completed in 2007 with one low pressure geothermal turbine of 33 MWe capacity. The third stage was completed in 2008 with two additional high pressure geothermal turbines, 45 MWe each.
In 2010 a heating plant for hot water generation was added to the plant, intended for district heating. The heat output of the first stage is 133 MWth and two further 133 MWth stages are to follow later. At the same time the Hellisheiði hot water main was put into service. The main is a 19,5 km long pipeline, 0,9-1,0 m in diameter, that carries hot water to Reykjavík. In 2011 the 5th stage of the plant was finished, which includes two new 45 MWe high pressure geothermal turbines, similar to the former turbines, situated in a new power house in Sleggjubeinsdalur.
The plant utilizes 500 kg/s of 180°C geothermal steam for electrical generation. The hot fluid is extracted from 30 wells, 2.000 – 3.000 m deep, and is led through steam and mist separators before entering the turbines. The high pressure steam gathering system operates at 9 bara pressure. The low pressure steam is generated with flashing of brine water from the steam separators at a pressure of 2 bara. The generating units are of single flow, single flash type with axial exhaust. Cooling is achieved through wet cooling towers of the counter flow type.
The main components of the electrical system for each unit consist of a 50 MVA generator, 50 MVA step-up transformer to 220 kV transmission voltage, an 11/11 kV transformer for connection to the 11 kV station service system and two 11/0,4 kV transformers for station service. The generating units, as well as the 11 kV and 0,4 kV distribution boards, are monitored and controlled by the state of the art control- and protection equipment.
The Result
Reykjavík Energy owns the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, a combined heat and power plant located about 20 km from Reykjavík in south-west Iceland. The area is one of Iceland’s most active high enthalpy areas. A new area, at Gráuhnúkar, is being investigated for steam and fluid extraction. The purpose of the plants is to meet increased demand for electricity for industrial and domestic use and for hot water for heating. The 303 MWe geothermal power plant in Hellisheiði, Iceland, was commissioned in 5 stages during the years 2006-2011. The first stage was completed in 2006 with two high pressure geothermal turbines of 45 MWe capacity each. The second stage was completed in 2007 with one low pressure geothermal turbine of 33 MWe capacity. The third stage was completed in 2008 with two additional high pressure geothermal turbines, 45 MWe each.
In 2010 a heating plant for hot water generation was added to the plant, intended for district heating. The heat output of the first stage is 133 MWth and two further 133 MWth stages are to follow later. At the same time the Hellisheiði hot water main was put into service. The main is a 19,5 km long pipeline, 0,9-1,0 m in diameter, that carries hot water to Reykjavík. In 2011 the 5th stage of the plant was finished, which includes two new 45 MWe high pressure geothermal turbines, similar to the former turbines, situated in a new power house in Sleggjubeinsdalur.
The plant utilizes 500 kg/s of 180°C geothermal steam for electrical generation. The hot fluid is extracted from 30 wells, 2.000 – 3.000 m deep, and is led through steam and mist separators before entering the turbines. The high pressure steam gathering system operates at 9 bara pressure. The low pressure steam is generated with flashing of brine water from the steam separators at a pressure of 2 bara. The generating units are of single flow, single flash type with axial exhaust. Cooling is achieved through wet cooling towers of the counter flow type.
The main components of the electrical system for each unit consist of a 50 MVA generator, 50 MVA step-up transformer to 220 kV transmission voltage, an 11/11 kV transformer for connection to the 11 kV station service system and two 11/0,4 kV transformers for station service. The generating units, as well as the 11 kV and 0,4 kV distribution boards, are monitored and controlled by the state of the art control- and protection equipment.
Icelandic
