[Red Badger]

We could do a lot more in the geothermal arena.............

[Red Badger]

Ping!...........

[Paladin2]

I’ve heard that in the 50’s, nuclear power was going to be so inexpensive to produce, there would be no need to meter its use. Still waiting.

[TexasCajun]

B.S. !!

Let them live without ALL oil-based products, not just fuel.

Then call it and Oil-Free Economy.

They would then learn the value of oil isn't just for its fuels.

[Uncledave]

We could do more w/ Geothermal, but Iceland is totally unique in every way. Phenomenal easily-accessible geothermal resources, small nation, etc.

[NVDave]

We can, but only in specific areas. Iceland has a unique geology that affords them this power source.

The areas most viable for geothermal power are in the Great Basin (ie, northern NV, southern ID, northeast CA, etc), perhaps northwest WY.

Everywhere else, it would require some real work to develop the resource.

http://geoheat.oit.edu/dusys.htm

[MARTIAL MONK]

No trees? Lotta dogs with crossed legs.

[NRG1973]

I don’t want to rain on everyone’s parade but the population of Iceland is 285,000. The USA has over 300,000,000 residents. That means we have 1000 times the population of Iceland. Also, our land mass is much greater. I wouldn’t expect the solutions to Icelands energy problems to be feasible on a scale the size of the USA. Nonetheless, we should watch how they go about the transformation...maybe we can learn something from it.

[arderkrag]

Immigrant Song time!

[thackney]

To be effective Geothermal fluid temperature should be at least 300º F, although plants are operating on fluid temperatures as low as 210º F. This is not available everywhere in the US. We could do more, but it is going to remain a small portion of our need.

More info at:

Geothermal Basics
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/geothermal_basics.html

Many of the cooler area are suitable for home size geothermal unit for some heating.

[F-117A]

The island nation has no coal, no petroleum reserves, and no trees (the Vikings used up all the timber centuries ago—quite the environmental faux pas of their own).

I was going to ask, have they ever thought of planting trees, But then I did a little research.

When the early settlers arrived, they encountered a rich forest which they promptly cut down for construction and firewood. What they didn't realize was that, with Iceland's long winters and indirect sunlight, each tree takes about 50 years to grow back. Most of the island is now devoid of trees, but reforestation efforts are underway.

Iceland

[Kandy Atz]

The island nation has no coal, no petroleum reserves, and no trees (the Vikings used up all the timber centuries ago—quite the environmental faux pas of their own). Rather than freeze in the dark, Icelanders decided to innovate.

Wait, there were trees in Iceland? It must have been warmer back then.

Why would they freeze? Big Al says we're all gonna die from global warming.

/sarcasm

[Thrownatbirth]

What does Icelandair use to fuel their planes? Kelp?

[aruanan]

If they trade with the rest of the world, they do not have an oil-free economy.

[mak5]

Oil free? So they use no fertilizers, no plastics? What do they use to lubricate machinery, including those hydrogen cars, whale blubber?

[aquila48]

What? They don’t drive gasoline burning cars?

[DGHoodini]

Uhhhhmmm...Didn’t Brazil go all biofuels, a long time ago?

[VanShuyten]

Given Icelanders’ reputation for drinking, I was pretty sure “oil-free” meant “alcohol-powered” until I read they were aiming for hydrogen-based transport.

[metesky]

DRILL YELLOWSTONE NOW!

[KarlInOhio]

Using current technology, it takes more energy to break the hydrogen from the water molecule than can be gained in burning the hydrogen.

So we just need to spend a little more on research and we will be able to create energy out of nothing by splitting and recombining hydrogen and oxygen. Throw out the laws of thermodynamics! Thermodynamic Anarchy now!

[Publius6961]

An overlooked nook on our planet that may offer some smart lessons on how to cultivate the energy we need.

Some people are plain stupid. Others are monumentally and spectacularly so.

Iceland is unique in every way: geographically, politically and culturally.
This approach to independence will not translate even to the US, where it is "assumed" conditions are identical (the Geysers, in California [failed], Yellowstone [get, real, willya?]).

Consider alternate realities: Iceland run by muslims.
Or by Sudanese...