The Oil Drum

I just off the phone with Arni Benediktsson, Chief Electrical & Mechanical Engineer at Landsvirkjun.

One of the items we discussed was old plans for a 2 GW HV DC line from Iceland to Scotland. I suggested a plan for at least that much or more for seasonal exports of electricity.

Iceland's maximum demand is in the winter and maximum hydro production (about 80% hydro) is in the summer. winter hydro generation must work off of stored water.

Iceland has hundreds or thousands of good sites for run-of-river or small dams hydro generation during the summer, but these are not even evaluated since there is an average excess of 150 MW every summer that is spilled (wasted). Summer only electrical power has no value in Iceland.

Iceland may have the ultimate potential to export as much as 10 GW in the summer and 4 or so GW (geothermal + hydro) during the winter. (My guess)

An HV DC link would be for exports only in the early years but could import excess wind power (saving hydro) in the winter in later years. (Scottish & Irish wind maxes in the winter), similar to the relationship between Denmark and Norway/Sweden.

Iceland does not have enough for all the EU energy needs, but it can help the UK & Ireland with their coming electrical crisis.

The first step may be a small HV DC line (say 700 MW), let Iceland export the surplus 150 MW of today and build more dams & geothermal to fill up the line (some in the winter). Then build another line, etc.

Any thoughts from the EU ?

Best Hopes,

Alan