KMT Workshop in Conjunction with GEORG Geothermal Workshop (GGW2018) 

An engineering and technology workshop was held in Reykjavík, Iceland, on 12-13 November 2018. Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation, delivered the opening speech, followed by introductory presentations from key members of the KMT scientific and engineering teams and project office members. The afternoon of the first day was reserved for open mic and panel discussions, which provided enlightening and productive insights into the main challenges KMT is trying to solve and the vision of the international multilevel cooperation around it.  

The second day also started with presentations before moving on to workshops in the afternoon. The outcomes of the workshop were presented to all attendees before the conclusion of the program, generating constructive conversation.  

The event was co-organized by DEEPEGS Deep Drilling Research Group and the Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP) and demonstrated the significant scientific interest in the KMT project. 

Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between Icelandic Stakeholders of the KMT 

KMT reached an important, symbolic milestone in October 2018. Representatives of thirteen research institutions, industry actors, and governmental agencies in Iceland signed a letter of intent, declaring their “emphatic wish to promote the establishment and development of an international centre for geothermal–  and volcanological research”. This letter of intent reflects the wide-spread societal support for the project and sets the scene for fruitful cross-agency cooperation on the road to realising KMT. A complete list of signatories can be found below.  

Georg – Geothermal Research Cluster 

Landsvirkjun, the National Power Company of Iceland  

The University of Iceland 

The University of Akureyri 

Reykjavík University  

Orkustofnun, National Energy Authority of Iceland 

Rannís, Icelandic Centre for Research 

EIMUR 

Iceland Meteorological Office  

ISOR  

Icelandic Institute of Natural History  

Skútustaðahreppur municipality 

Northeast Iceland Development Agency 

 

 

First Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) Meeting in Paris 2017 

On March 14-15, a coordination meeting was held in Paris, France, with presentations and workshops on the current state of the KMT project. The meeting was attended by leading scientists from universities and research centres from around the world, and discussions took stock of the current state of the science of the Krafla region. The dialogue centred around possible ways to move forward, and the need to organize and strategize operational management in order to realize this pioneering project. The event set the tone for the coming months and years of KMT cooperation, and left attendees feeling optimistic and clear-eyed in their determination.  

The program concluded with a meeting at the Residence of the Icelandic Ambassador to France