CESI Seminar Series: Andri Gunnarsson

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Location

Olin 165

Description

Hydropower in Iceland: Challenges from Hydrological Variability and Climate Change.

Humans have been harnessing the energy of falling water for thousands of years. For the past 140 years, hydroelectric power has proven to be both an efficient and reliable form of clean source of renewable energy and contributes about 16% of global electricity production. Iceland In Iceland, a system of reservoirs and diversions in the highlands collects and stores water for hydropower production, which accounts for about 70 % of total energy production in the country. In an average hydrological year, about 60% of flows for hydropower energy production originate from seasonal snow (~10 to 15 %) and glacier ablation (~50 %). Due to the high share of hydropower energy production in the total energy production mix, reliable understanding of and good forecasting capabilities for water resources development, both in short- and long-term aspects, are key to efficiently utilize water resources. The fact that the current Icelandic energy system is a closed loop system, i.e., no means of importing or exporting electricity, underlines the importance of high-quality forecasting capabilities.

Climate change projections indicate that various hydrological changes will be observed in Iceland and many changes are already observed in the recent past. Melt onset, seasonal snow mass, changes in the rain–snow transition elevation and distribution of solid precipitation both in the highlands and at glaciers are foreseen. These projected changes will pose a challenge for operational control of water resources as forecasting in a non-stationary statistical environment is demanding. These changes will also influence climate change adaptation for current energy projects, future developments as well as refurbishments of older infrastructure.

Dr. Andri Gunnarsson is manager for hydrological research at the National Power Company in Iceland. He has worked full time at National Power Company in Iceland since 2012 in the research department focusing on research related to hydrology, glacier mass and energy balance and snow hydrology. Andri has been a part time lecturer at the Green Program at Reykjavik University on hydro power and a teacher at the University of Iceland in hydro power plant design and optimization.