| Title | Powering Innovation: Geothermal Synergy at Hellisheiði in Iceland |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ingunn Gunnarsdóttir, Hjálmar Rögnvaldsson, Sæmundur Hafsteinsson, Sigurður Rúnar Rúnarsson |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Eco-industrial parks (EIPs) are emerging as powerful platforms for advancing sustainable development, enabling industries to collaborate through shared resource use, waste-to-value systems, and circular economy principles. When anchored to renewable energy sources like geothermal, EIPs can accelerate innovation, improve efficiency, and reduce emissions. ON Power’s Geothermal Park by Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant in Iceland exemplifies this integration. The park provides access to geothermal resource streams, e.g., renewable electricity, heat, and water, supporting a growing ecosystem of companies shaping the future of sustainable industry. Its goal is to maximize resource value through cascaded utilization, enhancing both environmental and economic performance. Integrating an EIP with a fully operational geothermal power plant requires navigating technical, operational, and strategic complexities. ON Power is actively assessing the associated opportunities and challenges, including optimizing resource flow without disrupting core operations and providing scalable infrastructure for multiple users. This involves determining which types of companies are most compatible with the park’s resource streams and sustainability goals. Supporting their integration calls for innovative business models, technological fit assessments, and a deep understanding of potential synergies that can reduce waste and enhance overall system efficiency. To support this model, ON Power is establishing an innovation hub for pilot testing, research collaboration, and scalable development. This abstract highlights the core opportunities and challenges of operating an EIP centered on a geothermal combined-heat-and-power plant. Drawing from ON Power’s experience, it distills lessons that can inform the development of other renewable-anchored EIPs and support broader efforts to build circular, low-carbon industrial ecosystems. |