Skip to content

Projects

Bjarnarflag geothermal power plant

Verkís services was participating in project and design management, tender documents, electrical systems, control and protection, buildings services and civil work.

Adaption and optimization to existing mechanical systems, construction supervision, risk assessment, test and start-up commissioning.



Project overview

The steam supply system in Bjarnarflag is a multiple use system, where Landsvirkjun also supplies steam for a small local industrial plan and a local district heating system in the Mývatn/Reykjahlíð village, as well as geothermal brine to the Mývatn nature baths. The power plant utilizes high pressures steam with as simple apparatus as possible, through with sufficient efficiency and reliability for the present application.
The Bjarnarflag geothermal field is located in a well known geothermal area, near Krafla in northern Iceland. Bjarnarflag is a small geothermal station, of the simple back pressure design. The station was built and commissioned in 1969, to cover an eminent lack of electrical power in the area at the time. Bjarnarflag and Krafla have had a turbulent history from the beginning, when volcanic activity jeopardized the operation of Bjarnarflag and the existence of Krafla before it was finished and connected to the network. Nine volcanic eruptions over the 1975-1984 period caused some boreholes to collapse and corrosive vapor to enter the geothermal system in Krafla.
However, the Bjarnarflag plant was operated with only minor overhauls until 2001, when a new turbine rotor and new stationary blades were installed, along with a total refurbishment of all electrical systems, control- and protection systems and instrumentation.
On the refurbishment project in Bjarnarflag, Verkís provided consulting services for all electrical- control- and protection equipment, as well as for civil work. Verkís also conducted all testing and start-up commissioning for the electrical, control and protection equipment.
In 2011, the design work for a new 2×45 MW geothermal power plant in Bjarnarflag was started, with full participation of Verkis. This design work is described in a different leaflet. The new power plant was later postponed and Landsvirkjun decided to conduct a new environmental assessment. When the new plant will be commissioned, it is foreseen to shut down this existing small back pressure power plant.
90mw

Planned Expansion



45mw

2x Planned Expansion



The Challenge

Bjarnarflag Geothermal Power Plant plays an important role in supplying renewable electricity, district heating, industrial steam and geothermal water for the Mývatn Nature Baths. Modernising one of Iceland’s oldest geothermal power plants required upgrading critical systems while ensuring reliable operation in an active volcanic environment with a shared geothermal steam network.

Our Solution

Verkís provided multidisciplinary engineering services for the refurbishment of the plant, including project and design management, electrical, control and protection systems, civil engineering, building services and tender documentation. Our team also adapted and optimized the existing mechanical systems, carried out risk assessments, supervised construction and led the testing and commissioning of the upgraded electrical and control systems.

The Result

The refurbishment significantly improved the reliability, safety and operational performance of the Bjarnarflag Power Plant, extending the service life of this important renewable energy facility. Through integrated engineering and commissioning expertise, Verkís helped ensure the continued delivery of electricity, district heating and geothermal resources to the surrounding community while supporting the long-term development of geothermal energy in North Iceland.


Technical information

Location:


Mývatn, Iceland


Size:


3 megawatts


Project period:


2001 – 2002






Explore Our Projects

Discover how we helped clients solve complex technical, environmental, and operational challenges through innovative engineering and strategic consulting across global energy markets.



World goals