100% of this country’s electricity and thermal energy comes from renewable sources. Here’s what it is and, above all, how it does it.
The energy transition requires constant and gradual commitment, so every progress, however small, must be seen as an important improvement for the future. It is certainly no mystery that some territories are more advanced than others, but in some cases, it is impossible to keep up with the comparison. Italy, which is not even among the last EU states for energy transition, has set a target for 2030 of producing 65% of its electricity from renewable sources.
And yet, there is one country in Europe powered by 100% renewable energy for electricity (with similar percentages for thermal energy): Iceland. There are at least twenty exemplary examples from an energy point of view in the world, but none is preparing to increase the production of renewable energy so suddenly as Iceland.
Furthermore, many states with excellent renewable coverage of electricity needs are heavily dependent on fossil fuels for other energy sectors, while Iceland’s commitment to clean energy extends over a truly wide radius, with wise exploitation of the natural resources made available by the territory.
A country in Europe powered 100% by renewable energy
Iceland is the only country in Europe powered 100% by renewable energy for electricity. An almost double record, with a percentage of 100% for electricity and slightly lower for thermal energy. The credit goes to the hydrothermal and geothermal resources present on Icelandic territory, which is exploited in a far-sighted manner and attentive to the safety of citizens.
Geothermal energy in Iceland is sufficient to cover 90% of the home heating needs, a very high percentage, capable of safeguarding the environment and saving families money. Geothermal sources in Iceland alone provide more than 50% of the country’s total energy, proving useful not only for home heating, but also for heating environments such as swimming pools, and partly (about 30%) for electricity.
The remaining 70% or so of electricity is instead produced with hydroelectric plants, which mainly exploit glacial rivers. The case of Iceland is exceptional not only for the significant percentages of renewable energy in use but for the unique conformation of the territory, which has underground vapors at very high temperatures and rivers in abundance. The latter, with the inexorable melting of the glaciers, are destined to increase further, increasing the production of hydroelectric energy.
In this sense too, Iceland is playing ahead of the game, starting the construction of new power plants, also useful for protecting the country in the event of floods, and preparing barriers for the containment and diversion of lava flows in the event of volcanic eruptions, protecting citizens and safeguarding geothermal power plants.
Between geysers, volcanoes and glacial rivers, Iceland does not even give up on the wind and has designed a mammoth wind farm in Búrfellslundur, destined to further implement the production of renewable energy. The environment and economy are thus protected, starting with the protection of the territory with interventions that adapt to its conformation and draw the maximum possible benefit from it. The almost non-existent pollution is one of the many strengths of Icelandic cities, increasingly sought after for travel and transfers.
The particular efficiency of public transport also helps, for which there is an active electric conversion project, while the experimentation of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, continues. Icelandic food is also renowned for its authenticity and healthiness, guaranteed precisely by relying on renewable energy (the heating of the greenhouses is entirely geothermal) and embracing the particularities of the lava soil.
Looking at Iceland, it seems that the energy transition has an all-round impact on the living conditions of the population, but we must not forget that this process began many years ago and, as already mentioned, is based on the typical characteristics of the area. It cannot therefore be replicated, but it should be taken as an example, especially for its adaptation capacity and shrewdness.
Original article published on Money.it Italy 2024-10-06 21:26:38. Original title: C’è un Paese in Europa alimentato al 100% da energie rinnovabili
