The ‘carbon footprint’ is defined as the total amount of GHG’s released into the atmosphere as a result of anthropogenic activities or a calculation of the GHG emissions released directly and indirectly by our daily activities. The carbon footprint can be offset by carbon binding.

Percentages pertaining to the GHG emissions in Landsvirkjun’s operations in 2013. Landsvirkjun’s carbon footprint is defined as the total set of annual GHG emissions from Landsvirkjun’s operations including carbon binding, i.e. the carbon binding measures implemented by Landsvirkjun. Landsvirkjun has been involved in the extensive land reclamation and re-forestation of the areas surrounding their power stations for over forty years and the Company’s annual carbon binding is estimated to be 22,000 tonnes CO₂- eq per year. An agreement was reached with Kolviður, in 2013, on the neutralisation of all carbon emissions as a result of Landsvirkjun’s use of petrol and diesel for transportation purposes, the international and domestic air travel of employees and finally the disposal of waste. These emissions were equal to approx. 1,027 tonnes of CO₂-eq and have now been neutralised via carbon binding in the forested areas of the country.

Carbon binding is the process of increasing vegetation coverage so that the vegetation can extract more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, therefore reducing the concentration of GHG emissions.

Landsvirkjun’s carbon footprint: 26 thousand tonnes CO₂ equivalent.

Landsvirkjun’s carbon footprint in 2013 (including carbon binding measures) was approx. 26, 000 tonnes CO₂-eq. The carbon footprint has been reduced by 22% since 2012 and by 33% since 2009. This reduction can be traced to a decrease in emissions from geothermal utilisation and increased carbon binding efforts.

Landsvirkjun’s carbon footprint per GWh, in 2013, has decreased by 16% when compared with figures from 2012 and by 28% when compared with figures from 2009.

GHG emissions from Landsvirkjun’s operations in 2013 were approx. 3.7 tonnes CO₂-eq/GWh if carbon binding is not included. Emissions were 1.9 tonnes CO₂-eq/GWh if carbon binding is included. Landsvirkjun’s carbon footprint per GWh generated was therefore reduced by 16% when compared with 2012 and by 28% when compared with 2009. Calculations on GHG emissions per GWh do not include emissions from research wells as they are not directly connected to the electricity generated by the Company that year.

It is interesting to compare the emissions from the different energy sources utilised by Landsvirkjun: geothermal and hydropower. When calculating GHG emissions by energy source, the emissions not directly related to the energy source itself are allocated between the different sources using the amount of electricity generated by the respective source. This is the case for GHG emissions related to flights, waste disposal and carbon binding.

The concentration of geothermal gas is dependent on the behaviour of the geothermal system it originates from and regularly monitoring the concentration of gas in steam is an important part of the production process. Any changes to these levels can be an indicator of changes within the geothermal system itself and the flow to the surface. The concentration of gas in the Krafla area increased significantly during the Krafla Fires (1975-1984) but decreased once the seismic activity stopped and is still decreasing today.

Figures for the research drilling carried out at Þeistareykir by the company Þeistareykir ehf are included for the first time this year as the company is now fully owned by Landsvirkjun. GHG emissions from Landsvirkjun’s geothermal power stations have decreased when compared with previous years. This is mainly due to changes to the gas flow in the geothermal reservoir at Krafla and is also the result of a slight decrease in energy generation and research drilling.

Results of hydrogen sulphide monitoring in Reykjahlíð and the Kelduhverfi area in 2012 and 2013

Reykjahlíð

• The yearly average for hydrogen sulphide concentrations in Helluhraun in Reykjahlíð was calculated to be 5.8 μg/m³ for 2012 and 5.1 μg/m³ for 2013. Taking into account the measurement accuracy up to ±3 μg/m³ the concentration of hydrogen sulphide did not surpass the set health limits (5±3 μg/m³) in 2012 and 2013.
• The set daily limit for the moving average of hydrogen sulphide over a 24 hour period did not surpass set health limits, in Reykjahlíð, in 2012 and 2013 (according to regulations).

Kelduhverfi area

• The yearly average for hydrogen sulphide concentrations in Eyvindarstaðir in the Kelduhverfi area was 1.7 μg/m³ in 2012 and 1.2 μg/m³ in 2013. However, the calculated values are not valid as too many days were missing from the average and the accuracy of measurement is ±3 μg/m³.
• The set daily limit for the moving average of hydrogen sulphide over a 24 hour period did not surpass set health limits, in the Kelduhverfi area (according to regulations) but there was a lack of data available in 2012 due to the failure of a monitoring station.

More information on the results of monitoring on hydrogen sulphide concentrations can be found on Landsvirkjun’s website. Continual recordings on hydrogen sulphide levels in Reykjahlíð are published on the Company website in an effort to increase transparency on the operations in the area.

Total hydrogen sulphide emissions from electricity generation and research drilling decreased significantly in 2013 when compared with the year before and was lower than in previous years.

GHG emissions from the burning of fossil fuels and emissions from electrical equipment

GHG emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, is calculated from the total amount of fuel consumed during Landsvirkjun’s operations. The estimate on GHG emissions is, amongst other things, based on the number of flights taken by employees as well as information from the Icelandic Energy Forecast Committee and the various airlines. GHG emissions from the international air travel of Landsvirkjun employees were estimated up until 2011 and the estimated total was 250 tonnes of CO₂-eq per year. In 2012, accurate data on the actual amount of international air travel became available and the total GHG emission level decreased significantly when compared with the previous year. The GHG emissions from international air travel in 2013 was 121 tonnes of CO₂-eq.

In 2013, 270 kg of methane was utilised to fuel vehicles. The use of methane as a fuel alternative for vehicles saved 800 kg of CO₂-eq from being produced (when compared with the average emissions from an average vehicle run on diesel oil).

SF₆ gas is used as an isolation material for high voltage equipment at the Fljótsdalur Hydropower Station and in the Þjórsá area and a leakage or accident could result in the gas being released. The gas is the most potent of all the greenhouse gases and is 23,900 more potent than carbon dioxide. Emissions from electrical equipment have been detected once in the last five years (in 2009).

GHG emissions from landfills and the incineration of waste

The disposal of waste via landfill results in the decomposition of organic matter and the emission of landfill gas. Landfill gas is mostly composed of methane and carbon dioxide but methane has a more substantial effect as it is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In 2013, there was a significant reduction in unsorted waste sent for landfill when compared with previous years and a concurrent decrease in GHG emissions.