Picture a future where magma serves as a sustainable energy source. It sounds bizarre, but in recent years, research into geothermal energy has unlocked the potential of this fiery resource as a viable energy source. In Iceland, an international team of scientists is working on a groundbreaking project that could revolutionize the way we harness geothermal energy for power generation.
How a discovery at Krafta led to a new project being born
Iceland is home to over 130 volcanoes, including Krafla located in the northeast. Standing at 2,683 feet, this volcano—regarded by many as a “gate to Hell”—features a caldera that reaches a depth of 1.24 miles. Due to the strong presence of geothermal activity, Krafla has become a focal point for scientific research.
In 2009, a magma chamber was first discovered by researchers while conducting exploratory drilling at Krafla. At a depth of 1.2 miles, they struck a pocket of magma with temperatures exceeding 1,650°F. This caused lava to overflow the borehole, damaging the drilling equipment and releasing noxious gases in the process.
Undeterred by this incident, the researchers took it as a positive sign that magma was closer to the surface than they realized. This spurred hopes that it could potentially be harnessed for sustainable energy production.
And so, the Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) was launched in 2014. Consisting of scientists and engineers from 38 research institutes and companies in 11 countries, the team plans to drill 1.2 miles into Krafla’s magma chamber.
KMT: Pushing geothermal energy to new frontiers like never before
Describing themselves as the world’s “first magma observatory,” KMT has three primary objectives: to study the properties of magma up close and ascertain how it interacts with surrounding rock; to observe volcanic systems so that they can better predict and monitor potential volcanic eruptions; and finally, to explore how heat generated by the magma can provide a boost for geothermal energy production.
Of these objectives, tapping into the magma’s heat for energy production stands as the most ambitious. After all, KMT plans to be integrated with the Krafla power plant, which supplies power and hot water to approximately 30,000 Icelandic households; this could significantly enhance the plant’s energy output and sustainability.
To carry out their objectives, KMT plans to drill and construct two wells, one in 2024 and the other in 2026. The first well will be drilled into the magma chamber, allowing the team to collect and study samples and conduct experiments.
The second well will serve as an observation point, enabling the team to continuously track and monitor the magma’s behavior. It will also serve as the site for energy research as they explore the viability of using thermal energy from magma for power generation.
Harnessing magma energy is a “high-risk, high-reward” venture
Although consequences such as earthquakes, noxious gas emissions, and exposure to magma remain concerns, KMT believes that the eco-friendly and economic benefits outweigh them.
“Geothermal can be considered an ally in the energy transition for its power and non-intermittency and a part of the green energy mix to help us shift from fossil fuels,” says Björn Þór Guðmundsson, the CEO of the project.
“All geothermal can be considered as a cost-efficient, stable, environmentally friendly, and dependable baseload energy. Magma energy can be considered a high-risk, high-reward source of geothermal energy.”
Undoubtedly, KMT’s ongoing research is revolutionary. Through the project, the opportunity to unleash the potential of magma as a sustainable energy source increasingly becomes a reality. By harnessing Krafka’s volcanic heat sustainably, the project promises to positively influence the direction of energy solutions for future generations to come.