Reykjavík district heating

Today, the inhabitants of Reykjavík enjoy an environmentally friendly and competitive heating system utilising energy provided by Earth itself. The development of Reykjavík geothermal district heating began in the early 1930’s and is today the largest and most sophisticated geothermal district heating system in the world with 830 MW installed power.

The installed power is now over 830 MW with energy provided by four low temperature geothermal fields in Reykir, Reykjahlið, Laugarnes and Elliðaár and by cogeneration at the Nesjavellir high temperature geothermal area, located about 30 km east of the city. It will soon be connected to another high temperature area, Hellisheiði (by 2010).

Verkis has designed the major part of the geothermal district heating system owned and operated by Reykjavík Energy, including most of the pumping stations, storage tanks, the 27 km long Nesjavellir pipeline and other major transmission pipelines such as the Reykir pipelines, and the distribution network in Reykjavík, Kópavogur and Garðabær. In recent years, the oldest part of the network in Reykjavík (over 40 years old) has been refurbished.

Verkís services was project management and design supervision, detail design, tender documents and procurement: civil engineering, mechanical design, piping systems, control and monitoring equipment. Supervision of construction work, test and start-up activities.

The Challenge

Reykjavík’s transition from fossil fuel heating to geothermal district heating required the development of one of the world’s largest and most advanced renewable heating networks. The challenge was to design and expand a reliable infrastructure capable of delivering sustainable heating to a rapidly growing urban population while continuously modernising the existing system.

Our Solution

For decades, Verkís has played a leading role in the development of Reykjavík’s district heating system, providing project management, multidisciplinary engineering, tender documentation, procurement support, construction supervision and commissioning. Our work has included the design of major transmission pipelines, pumping stations, storage tanks, distribution networks and control systems, as well as the refurbishment and expansion of key infrastructure across the Capital Region.

Today, Reykjavík operates the world’s largest geothermal district heating system, with an installed capacity exceeding 830 MW, supplying renewable heating to the vast majority of homes and businesses in the Capital Region. Through decades of engineering expertise, Verkís has helped create a resilient, energy-efficient infrastructure that has dramatically reduced greenhouse gas emissions while improving quality of life and establishing Reykjavík as a global leader in sustainable urban heating.