Not All Steam and Sunshine: Understanding Geothermal Exploration

Iceland is famous for its geothermal resources, but tapping into them isn’t always straightforward. That’s what students from the Iceland School of Energy set out to explore during a recent field trip to the north of Iceland.

For students on the geothermal pathway, this second-semester trip builds on their earlier studies around Reykjavík by shifting focus to northern Iceland, where the geology is unfamiliar and the geothermal systems are more complex, challenging them to apply their knowledge in a new context.

In the Mývatn and Krafla areas, students visited some of the country’s oldest geothermal fields. These sites still produce energy, but the work of understanding and maintaining them is ongoing. In Akureyri, students examined the town’s district heating system and visited local industry to see how waste heat is captured and reused in the network, increasing efficiency and easing pressure on geothermal resources.

This trip puts students in a new landscape where they must rely on their skills to make sense of what they see. It’s about learning to ask the right questions, notice what matters, and apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings.

Through site visits, conversations, and time spent with local experts, students gained a clearer understanding of how geothermal projects take shape over time. They explored the process of development, from surface observations to drilling and testing, and saw how interpreting the data can be anything but straightforward. From reading subtle surface clues to evaluating conditions underground, and even considering how to pipe hot water across long distances, geothermal is a field that demands both technical skill and critical thinking.

For ISE students, this trip is more than just time in the field. It’s an opportunity to deepen their understanding of geothermal systems in practice, connect theory with experience, and engage directly with the challenges of developing sustainable energy.