| Title | Communicating Complexity: Innovative Public Outreach During a Major Hot Water Downtime in Iceland |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ingólfsdóttir, Silja, Ingvarsdóttir, Rún |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | In 2024, Veitur Utilities in Iceland executed the largest and longest planned hot water distribution downtime in its history, affecting four municipalities, health and social care facilities, public swimming pools, businesses, and over one-third of the country’s population. This operation was necessary to connect a major hot water pipeline serving a substantial portion of the capital area—an effort only possible during a full system shutdown. This paper highlights the pivotal role of innovative communication in engaging affected stakeholders and maintaining public trust. Public understanding and cooperation in such a technically complex and socially impactful operation are essential. The 38-hour service interruption required clear, consistent, and transparent messaging to foster not only cooperation but also a sense of shared ownership and even enthusiasm for the infrastructure improvements. The project underscores how innovative and proactive communication, integrated with technical planning, played a critical role in the successful execution of the downtime. All whilst maintaining a strong commitment to customer service with open communication with the public before, during, and after the downtime. This case provides valuable insights for utilities and municipalities, demonstrating that engineering excellence must be matched by effective public engagement in large-scale geothermal infrastructure projects. |