Goodmorning Iceland. Today I woke up and got ready for another day of adventures and learning. We stopped downstairs to get some breakfast before heading out. I kept it simple today with cereal, bacon, and watermelon. An interesting combination, but honestly pretty good. By 9 we were on the road beginning our long drive to the ON Power geothermal power plant.
We only made one stop along the way at Katla Geopark, specifically at the black sand beach area called Járðvangur Black Sand Beach. The view was astonishing. The waves crashing against the dark sand were unbelievably strong and powerful. Ólöf told us that the ocean water there is only about one degree Celsius, which is crazy to think about when you are standing so close to it. The contrast between the black volcanic sand and the intense blue ocean made the scenery feel dramatic and almost unreal. It was definitely one of those moments where you just stop and take it all in.
After that stop we continued our drive and eventually arrived at the ON Power facility. We started with a presentation where we learned about the work they do producing energy from Iceland’s natural geothermal resources. Iceland sits on top of a very active volcanic zone, which means there is a lot of heat stored underground. At the plant, wells are drilled deep into the earth to bring up hot water and steam. That steam is used to spin turbines, which generate electricity in a clean and renewable way. It was really interesting to see how a natural process like geothermal heat can be turned into something so useful for everyday life.
After the presentation we got to explore the facility and learn more about their engineering processes. One part that stood out was hearing about geodesic domes and how structures like that are designed to be extremely strong and efficient while using minimal materials. It was cool to see how engineering design and environmental thinking come together in a place like this.
Once we finished at the plant, we drove to our final hotel of the trip. One thing I have noticed throughout Iceland is how tiny many of the hotel rooms are compared to what we are used to in the United States, and almost every room has twin beds. It’s been a funny but interesting difference to experience.
Later in the evening we headed to Sky Lagoon. This place was honestly insane. The water was so warm and soothing, especially after spending time in the cold wind earlier in the day. We went through their famous seven step ritual, which includes soaking in the warm lagoon, a cold plunge, sauna with ocean views, a refreshing mist, and relaxing steam rooms. The whole experience was peaceful and incredibly relaxing. It felt like the perfect way to unwind after a long day of traveling and learning.
After the lagoon we took a taxi to a nearby restaurant where I ordered garlic lime wings and fries. It honestly felt rejuvenating to eat chicken and something a little closer to American food again. After dinner we took a taxi back to the hotel, got ready for bed, and called it a night. Overall it was a surprisingly relaxing day filled with beautiful views, interesting engineering, and a little bit of well deserved relaxation.
Today helped bring many of the engineering concepts we have been discussing closer to real life. Visiting the geothermal power plant showed how natural resources like underground heat can be used in sustainable ways to generate energy. Seeing the systems, structures, and designs in person made it easier to understand how engineers think about efficiency, environmental impact, and innovation. From geothermal energy to thoughtful structural design, today showed how engineering plays a huge role in building a more sustainable future while working with the natural environment instead of against it.
Swanson School of Engineering 