Iceland Trip March 13-23, 2008

During spring break, the course will travel to Iceland for 10 days. The trip is an interdisciplinary effort between the geology and engineering departments. Students of thermodynamics and oceanography will explore Iceland’s use of its unique geological setting to provide much of its energy needs in a clean and sustainable way. The group will visit Reykjavik University and the University of Iceland for lectures on the impact of climate change on glaciers, carbon sequestration and binding with basalt, hydropower from glacial rivers, geothermal energy and the issues Iceland faces with the management of power in their fishing fleet.
Iceland produces more electricity per capita than any other country in the world and produces all of its electricity using sustainable and environmentally-friendly methods. Students will have several guided tours by Iceland’s internationally acclaimed power company Orkuveita Reykjavikur. Visits will include the Hveragerdi Geothermal power plant which generates 520MW of geothermal power and the Nesjavellir district heating facility outside Reykjavik, considered Iceland’s greatest engineering achievement. The facility transports hot water over 35 km in an above ground system that heats over 85% of all available interior space.