Reykjavík University and Iceland’s national power company Landsvirkjun have taken a major step forward in clean energy innovation by jointly filing a patent application with the European Patent Office for a breakthrough geothermal technology.
The newly developed solution aims to significantly improve the use of geothermal resources by enabling energy production from wells that were previously considered unsuitable due to low pressure.
At the heart of the invention is a method that determines the optimal size and thermodynamic properties of an ejector, a specialised type of pump that links two fluid streams operating at different pressures. By applying this method, geothermal wells that have remained idle for years can now be brought into productive use, boosting output without the need for complex or expensive infrastructure upgrades.
The solution is designed to extend the operational life of geothermal wells while improving the overall efficiency of geothermal power systems. This approach supports sustainable energy development by making better use of existing natural resources and maximising the value of prior investments already made in geothermal fields. It also aligns closely with global climate goals and the growing demand for renewable energy solutions.
The technology was developed by a multidisciplinary team from the Department of Engineering at Reykjavík University, working alongside experts from Landsvirkjun. The inventors include Ximena Guardia Muguruza, María Sigríour Guðjónsdottir, Egill Júlíusson, Guðrún Arnbjörg Sævarsdóttir, Yonatan Afework Tesfahunegn and Jeffrey Macatangay Andal, together with Karl Emil Sveinsson from Landsvirkjun. Their work combines academic research with real world industry expertise.
Testing of the solution has already delivered promising results. Trials were carried out at Landsvirkjun’s Þeistareykir geothermal field as well as at the energy laboratory at Reykjavík University, demonstrating the technology’s practical potential and reliability.
The patent application reflects more than a decade of formal collaboration between Reykjavík University and Landsvirkjun. This long standing partnership has focused on research driven innovation and the development of solutions to pressing energy and climate challenges. The project also received support from the Icelandic Technology Development Fund, reinforcing its national importance.
This innovation highlights how cooperation between universities and energy companies can accelerate the energy transition, improve efficiency and help build a more resilient and sustainable future.