Store Norske Energi, the state-owned energy company for Svalbard, began drilling test wells for a geothermal heating system that would replace the coal-fired power plant in Longyearbyen.
Repurposing abandoned mine infrastructure for geothermal energy could be a model for other Arctic and mining communities.
Test wells drilled
Abandoned coal mines repurposed
30,000 tonnes annual CO2 reduction target
Longyearbyen, Svalbard's main settlement, has about 2,400 residents from over 40 countries.
Norway launched a geothermal energy pilot on Svalbard to replace the Arctic archipelago's last coal-fired power plant. This development builds on a longer history of events in innovation.
Looking ahead: Norway launched a geothermal energy pilot on Svalbard to replace the Arctic archipelago's last coal-fired power plant. Looking forward, this story is likely to develop further as new information emerges.
- 01Geothermal pilot replaces coal on Svalbard
- 02Uses abandoned mine infrastructure
- 03Could eliminate 30,000 tonnes CO2/year
2023: Feasibility study
2025: Test drilling begins
2027: Full system expected operational
Geothermal pilot replaces coal on Svalbard
geothermal
adjectiveMeaning: Pertaining to heat energy extracted from reservoirs in the earth's interior
Easy meaning: Pertaining to heat energy extracted from reservoirs in the earth's interior
drilling
/ˈdɹɪlɪŋ/verbMeaning: To create (a hole) by removing material with a drill (tool).
Easy meaning: To create (a hole) by removing material with a drill (tool).
Example: Drill a small hole to start the screw in the right direction.
heating
/ˈhiːtɪŋ/verbMeaning: To cause an increase in temperature of (an object or space); to cause to become hot (often with "up").
Easy meaning: To cause an increase in temperature of (an object or space)
Example: I'll heat up the water.
launched
/lɑnt͡ʃt/verbMeaning: To throw (a projectile such as a lance, dart or ball); to hurl; to propel with force.
Easy meaning: To throw (a projectile such as a lance
Example: The navy launched another ship.
archipelago
/ɑːkɪˈpɛləɡəʊ/nounMeaning: (collective) A group of islands.
Easy meaning: (collective) A group of islands.
Example: The Gulag Archipelago
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