Defense walls will be protecting Suðurnes electric lines
Work is in progress planning defenses against volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula. Photo/Landsnet
A simulation has been made for the Reykjanes peninsula where possible lava flow scenarios have been projected and where the lava flow from known fissure areas toward electrical infrastructure in the area has been measured.
Defense walls have been designed and also elevations on high-voltage masts so that lava can flow under high-voltage lines. This is what Halldór Halldórsson, the safety manager of Landsnet, says in a conversation with Morgunblaðið.
The construction of Suðurnes line 2 in preparation
He was asked what measures were taken to protect the Suðurnes line 1, which transports electricity produced outside Reykjanes peninsula to the area. The construction of Suðurnes Line 2 is also underway and the above measures also take into account that line. The plan is to take that line into operation by late next year.
Halldórsson says that the defense of electric power plants started to be considered as early as 2020, as well as the preparation of a contingency plan for how to protect Suðurnes line 1 and other electric power infrastructure in the Reykjanes peninsula.
Proposals for defence walls
The engineering firm Verkís was hired to make proposals for defense walls like the one installed at the power plant in Svartsengi, to protect the power infrastructure from possible lava flow from all known fissures in Reykjanes, which were simulated in lava flow simulators. Based on these simulations, response plans have been developed and incorporated into design criteria for future infrastructure projects.
