Iceland has extensive experience and expertise in expanding standard geothermal drilling technology to be effective at higher temperatures and deeper targets allowing exploitation of more energy efficient geothermal resources. The synergy of U.S. oil drilling technology and Icelandic drilling experience in ultra high temperature environments has the potential to unlock new energy resources in both countries.
Fulbright Workshop on Superhot Geothermal Futures
The Fulbright workshop brings together Icelandic energy companies, U.S. and Icelandic universities, U.S. national labs, DoE representatives, NSF representatives, USGS scientists, Fulbright leaders and a few U.S. geothermal startups and investors.
The workshop is a collaboration between Fulbright Iceland, Reykjavík Energy, HS Orka, Landsvirkjun, University of Iceland and Reykjavík University, and coincides with the beginning Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP-3), a project exploring the nature and viability of superhot and supercritical geothermal resources of approximately 400°C at 3-4 km depth, focusing on research related to the utilization of superhot geothermal systems within their field of expertise.
The three-day workshop will be held in Reykjavik on January 26-28 2027. The workshop will include two days of presentations and discussions on IDDP-3 and a day visit to the IDDP-3 drilling site at Nesjavellir geothermal field in the Hengill area of southwest Iceland. Detailed schedule will be sent to participants closer to the workshop dates.
For any questions regarding the workshop, please contact [email protected].
Other Superhot Geothermal Futures grant opportunities
Fulbright Iceland offers scholar research grants for U.S. academics and professionals to take part in the IDDP-3. The work will be carried out in cooperation with Reykjavík Energy and other partner institutions, with the scholar contributing to ongoing research and project activities during their stay in Iceland.
The 2028-2029 Fulbright scholar competition will open in February 2027. Please see the Fulbright Scholar Catalog of Awards for further details.