Icelandic Center for Energyscape (ICE) - Creating solutions for a climate-neutral society

The "Icelandic Center for Energyscape (ICE)" is an inter-university teaching and research centre located in Hvanneyri on the campus of the Agricultural University of Iceland and in Reykjavik on the campus of Reykjavik University. The centre focuses on the incorporation of renewable energy into natural landSCAPES, by applying the concept of ENERGYSCAPE. ICE offers undergraduate and graduate courses for students, experts, interested pupils, and research fellows.

Renewable energy production can significantly impact natural resources and landscapes. ICE aims to combine the benefits of renewable energy production with other ecosystem services in order to develop sustainable solutions for a climate-neutral society. This requires a multidisciplinary approach using existing knowledge of landscapes, energy technology, ecology and circular economy solutions to address holistic challenges in energy production. The Agricultural University of Iceland (AUI) has extensive expertise in agriculture, environmental science, and landscape architecture. Reykjavik University (RU) closely cooperates with the Icelandic industries to develop innovative engineering and technology solutions. Therefore, the AUI and RU established a joint research and training Center for Icelandic Energyscape in Hvanneyri. 

The AUI campus in Hvanneyri is located in the protected area of Ramsar - an internationally recognized wetland area for wildlife, vital for the white geese during the summer months. The unique location provides the ideal conditions for innovative and applied research in Energyscape. ICE educate and train a new generation of practitioners to reduce the impact of engineering and agricultural production on sensitive natural resources and ecosystems, to address the challenges of designing and implementing renewable energy infrastructure, with minimal visual and environmental impact in the protected area of Hvanneyri.

Biomass Energyscape:  The organic waste from local farms will be used to develop a biomass energy centre. A small biogas reactor is built to convert biowaste and biomass into climate-friendly biogas.

Hydropower Energyscape: The Andakill hydropower plant is located a few kilometres east of the AUI campus. In order to mitigate and minimize the power plant's environmental impacts, various Nature-based Solutions have been implemented upstream and downstream of the plant. Accordingly, Andakill is the ideal case study to demonstrate and teach sustainable hydropower production.

Tidal Energyscape: Borgarfjörður is an ideal case study to investigate the energy potential of tidal currents, to investigate the tidal currents in the fjord and estimate the power potential of the currents. The impacts on marine flora and fauna will be investigated and demonstrated to students.

Geothermal Energyscape: Being close to Reykholt and Bæjarsveit, two large geothermal sources, geothermal energy pass through the Hvanneyri campus. The evolution of geothermal energy will be monitored with complementary sensors. This will allow students to discuss and analyze the optimal usage of geothermal energy for electricity production, agricultural production, district heating and recreational spas. 

Wind Energyscape: Heggstaðir and Vatnshamrar are two potential locations close to Hvanneyri with suitable weather conditions for wind farms. The energy potential will be assessed using weather monitoring stations. Furthermore, a potential wind farm's visual and environmental impacts can be compared to socio-economic benefits and its impacts on the Ramsar area's fauna.