Iceland's energy and environmental strategy

In relation to its population, Icelanders are endowed with vast hydro and geothermal energy resources, which to a large extent (> 99%) await exploitation. For example, Iceland's geothermal reserves alone are equivalent approximately, in energy terms, to one-third of the world's currentl...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mackay, R. M., Probert, S. D.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0306-2619(95)00022-4
Description
Summary:In relation to its population, Icelanders are endowed with vast hydro and geothermal energy resources, which to a large extent (> 99%) await exploitation. For example, Iceland's geothermal reserves alone are equivalent approximately, in energy terms, to one-third of the world's currently known crude-oil reserves. Such readily available energy resources provide diverse possibilities for new industrial developments and, if properly exploited, are likely to be major contributory factors in enhancing the average standard of living for Icelanders. To this end, a long-term strategy has been adopted by the Icelandic Government with regard to research and development. The pertinent Government policies are in several respects unique to Iceland because of its geographic location.