ISE is at the forefront of geothermal innovation, advancing research and education to drive sustainable energy solutions. This World Geothermal Day, ISE highlights key projects and achievements from its students and faculty. At ISE, geothermal energy is more than just a focus—it's part of their everyday mission.

The Iceland School of Energy (ISE) is now accepting applications for Fall 2025 for our full-time master’s programs and the Energy Field School. Join us in Iceland, a leader in sustainable energy, and explore opportunities in geothermal, wind, hydro, and energy policy. Apply now to be part of the next generation of energy leaders and make a difference in the future of renewable energy.

The Iceland School of Energy is proud to announce its upcoming webinar, "Unlocking Geothermal Energy," taking place on October 1, 2024. This event is designed for geoscience students and professionals who are passionate about the role of renewable energy in the future of our planet

The INFO-GEOTHERMAL project, in partnership with ISE, advocates for the efficient and sustainable use of geothermal energy in Slovenia. Highlighting geothermal energy's role in sustainable development and local energy independence. Watch our new video for engaging with stakeholders and promoting transparent information access.

In a groundbreaking display of unity, Iceland's women and non-binary individuals, including the Prime Minister, convened for a full-day strike on October 24, demanding an end to the nation's enduring gender pay gap and widespread gender-based violence. Despite Iceland's global reputation for gender equality, disparities persist, with some female professionals earning 21% less than their male counterparts. This powerful strike coincides with global efforts to promote gender equality in the energy sector, where women represent just 16% of the workforce. The Iceland School of Energy (ISE) is dedicated to this cause, offering a Women in Energy Scholarship and achieving a 66% female enrollment rate.

Yonathan "Hary" Hutagalung, an Indonesian geologist at the Iceland School of Energy (ISE), broadened his focus from high-temperature to low-temperature geothermal systems at the International Summer School on Thermogeology in Slovenia. This immersive experience, combining intensive learning and cultural exchange, has deepened Hary's commitment to sustainable energy and inspired his peers at ISE.

Pia Milena Leminski, a first-year student at the Iceland School of Energy (ISE), embarked on a journey at Landsvirkjun, the national power company of Iceland. Through her internships, she gained hands-on experience analyzing wind data and contributing to the operation planning of hydropower plants. Pia's story highlights the importance of bridging theory and practice, inspiring future innovators to pursue practical opportunities in the field of sustainable energy.

First-year Iceland School of Energy (ISE) student Diego Augusto Costa successfully transitioned from academic learning to real-world application, securing an internship with leading engineering firm Mannvit after connecting with ISE alumnus and Mannvit engineer, Kristján Vilbergsson. At Mannvit, Diego applies his academic knowledge to real-world sustainability challenges, producing life cycle assessment reports and earning credits towards his Masters degree. Diego's journey exemplifies the power of initiative and the valuable connections fostered within the ISE community, and he looks forward to potentially completing his thesis project under Mannvit's guidance.

Andrés Laverde graduated with a master's degree in Sustainable Energy from ISE (Iceland School of Energy) at Reykjavik University this May. Andrés comes from Bogotá in Colombia and graduated with a BSc in Geosciences from Los Andes University in Bogotá. During his studies, he grew a great interest in volcanology, energy, and sustainability and focused on research on volcanology and geothermal resources.

REYKJAVIK, June 3 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Nicole Bird, successfully defended her master's thesis where she investigates the concepts of self-sufficiency of RES of the local energy community of Luče, Slovenia. Nicole's work was supervised by Dr. Ewa L. Carlson from Reykjavík University and Dr. Andrej Gubina from University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. Examination was conducted by Dr. Magni Palsson, R&D Program Director at Landsnet in Iceland.

REYKJAVIK, June 1 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Silvana Loayza Leon, successfully defended her master's thesis where she performs a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of selected Blue Lagoon skincare products. Silvana's work was supervised by Dr. Halldór G. Svavarsson from Reykjavik University; Dr. Einar J. Ásbjörnsson from Reykjavik University; and Fannar Jónsson, Quality Manager at the Blue Lagoon. Examination was conducted by Dr. Ólafur Ögmundarsson from the School of Health Sciences at University of Iceland.

REYKJAVIK, May 31 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Madison Lin Mackenzie, successfully defended her master's thesis where she explores a 3D conceptual and numerical model of Geyser Valley, Wairakei Geothermal Field New Zealand. Madison's work was supervised by Dr. Juliet Ann Newson from Reykjavík University and examination was conducted by Professor Michael O´Sullivan from the University of Auckland.

REYKJAVIK, May 31 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Arkaitz Manterola Donoso, successfully defended his master's thesis where he explores the optimization of geothermal well control for a sustainable production strategy using stock reservoir modelling. Arkaitz's work was supervised by Dr. Egill Júlíusson from Landsvirkjun, Dr. Hlynur Stefánsson from Reykjavík University, and Dr. María Sigríður Guðjónsdóttir from Reykjavík University. Examination was conducted by Pálmar Sigurðsson from Orkuveita Reykjavíkur.

REYKJAVIK, May 31 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Corey Harpe, successfully defended his master's thesis where he investigates a comprehensive assessment of Hveragerði's geothermal district heating system leveraging thermohydraulic modeling and simulation. Corey's work was supervised by Dr. Guðrún Arnbjörg Sævarsdóttir from Reykjavík University; Dr. María Sigríður Guðjónsdóttir from Reykjavík University; and Dr. Egill Maron Þorbergsson, Specialist in Innovation and Technological Development at Veitur. Examination was conducted by Heimir Hjartarson, Mechanical Engineer at EFLA Consulting Engineers.

REYKJAVIK, May 30 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Hjörleifur Þór Steingrímsson, successfully defended his master's thesis where he compares binary ORC systems in a single unit and a modular cascade configuration, using an ORC model for a low temperature geothermal resource. Hjörleifur's work was supervised by Dr. María Sigríður Guðjónsdóttir from Reykjavík University and examination was conducted by Dr. Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, May 27 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Jackson Marshall Grimes, successfully defended his master's thesis where he investigates Community Acceptance to Promote Energy Justice and Sustainable Development Strategies in Rural Argentina. Jackson's work was supervised by Dr. Juliet Ann Newson from Reykjavik University and examination was conducted by Dr. Pri Utami from the University of Gadjah Mada.

REYKJAVIK, May 27 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Andrés Felipe Laverde Martínez, successfully defended his master's thesis where he investigates Geothermal Conceptual and Numerical Modelling of a Gas-Condensate Field in the Eastern Llanos Basin, Colombia. Andrés's work was supervised by Dr. Juliet Ann Newson from Reykjavik University, Dr. Camilo Franco Ariza from Universidad Nacional de Colombia, and Chelsea Cervantes from Reykjavik Geothermal. Examination was conducted by Bastien Poux from Aetna Geothermal Limited.

REYKJAVIK, March 9 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Iaroslav Pyshakov, successfully defended his master's thesis where he investigates the Planning of a Deep Geothermal Well to Reach Supercritical Steam, to be theoretically drilled in the Hengill geothermal area of Iceland. Iaroslav's work was supervised by Dr. Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson from Reykjavik University and Dr. Gunnar Skúlason Kaldal, ÍSOR Engineer. Examination was conducted by Kristinn Ingason, Section Manager at Mannvit.

REYKJAVIK, March 9 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Gloria Gladis Sondakh, successfully defended her master's thesis where she investigates a Life Cycle Assessment of the Geothermal Power Plant in the Patuha Geothermal Field in Indonesia. Gladis's work was supervised by Dr. Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson from Reykjavik University; Dr. Marta Rós Karlsdóttir, Director at Orkustofnun; and Dr. David Christian Finger from Reykjavik University and Energie Institut JKU Linz. Examination was conducted by Þröstur Helgason, Resource Manager at Mannvit.

REYKJAVIK, January 21 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Benjamin Smith, successfully defended his master's thesis where he investigates gold transport through the epithermal system in the Reykjanes Peninsula. Ben's work was supervised by Dr. Juliet Newson from Reykjavik University and Dr. Guðrún Sævarsdottir from Reykjavik University. Examination was conducted by Dr. Iwona Galeczka, Geochemist at Iceland GeoSurvey.

REYKJAVIK, January 14 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Keith Marc Pacelli Gonsalves, successfully defended his master's thesis where he investigates water saving potential and electricity production using floating solar photovoltaics on the San Vicente Reservoir, California. Keith's work was supervised by Laurentiu Anton from Reykjavik University and Andri Gunnarsson, Manager of Hydrological Research at Landsvirkjun. Examination was conducted by Dr. Ewa R. L. Carlson from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, January 13 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Angel Fernando Monroy Parada, successfully defended his master's thesis where he performed a technical and feasibility study for the San Vicente Geothermal Power Plant Project in El Salvador, Central America. Angel's work was supervised by Dr. William Scott Harvey from Reykjavik University and Dr. Páll Jensson from Reykjavik University with examination by Dr. Bjarni Pálsson, Executive Director of Geothermal Developmen at Landsvirkjun.

ESPOO, FINLAND and REYKJAVIK, ICELAND, December 1 - We had the pleasure of speaking with Even Nötland Giske and Stian Olsen Kroken, two second year students completing their double Master's degree in collaboration with Reykjavik University Department of Engineering's Iceland School of Energy and the esteemed Aalto University's School of Electrical Engineering located in Espoo, Finland.

BUCHAREST, October 10 - Our second year ISE students recently had an opportunity to visit Romania as part of a special class through the "Innovative Teaching Methods for Tomorrows' Renewable Specialists" (ITRES) EEA program. This program was launched on October 1st, 2020, as a joint effort between the Iceland School of Energy at Reykjavik University and the Faculty of Physics at the University of Bucharest.

REYKJAVIK, October 14 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, John Joseph Lubuva, successfully defended his master's thesis where he performed a thermo-economic optimization of slim well power cycles with a case study at the Ngozi Geothermal Project in Tanzania. John's work was supervised by Dr. Guðrún Arnbjörg Sævarsdóttir from Reykjavik University and Dr. Vijay Chauhan from Reykjavik University with examination by Dr. María S. Guðjónsdóttir from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, October 11 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Kendall Alexis Cromartie, successfully defended her master's thesis where she assessed the potential for renewable energy systems in remote arctic communities as a means of reducing regional diesel fuel dependence. Kendall's work was supervised by R. Morgan Greene from Reykjavik University with examination by Dr. Snjólaug Árnadóttir from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, June 4 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Tenley Propst, successfully defended her master's thesis where she performed an analysis and comparison of energy consumption and energy simulation of the Rimaskóli Primary School. Tenley's work was supervised by Dr. Jónas Þór Snæbjörnsson from Reykjavik University and Dr. Þórhildur Fjóla Kristjánsdóttir from Green Building Council Iceland. With examination by Dr. Björn Marteinsson from University of Iceland.

REYKJAVIK, June 4 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Kristján Valur Vilbergsson, successfully defended his master's thesis where he performed a comparative life cycle assessment of hydrogen production via electrolysis in Austria and Iceland. Kristján's work was supervised by Dr. Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson from Reykjavik University and Dr. David C. Finger from Reykjavik University and Energieinstitut an der JKU Linz. With examination by Alexandra Kjeld from EFLA Consulting Engineers.

REYKJAVIK, June 4 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Babak Ranjbaran, successfully defended his master's thesis where he performed a numerical study for airfoil selection for a small-scale vertical axis wind turbine. Babak's work was supervised by Dr. Ármann Gylfason from Reykjavik University with examination by Dr. Yonatan Afework Tesfahunegn from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, June 4 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Azra Sehic, successfully defended her master's thesis where she investigated the topic of environmental justice and its borders with respects to Croatian nuclear waste management. Azra's work was supervised by Dr. David C. Finger from Reykjavik University and Energieinstitut an der JKU Linz . With examination by Hólmfríður Bjarnadóttir from Veitur and Dr. Jelena Aparac from the UN Human Rights Mercenaries Working Group.

REYKJAVIK, June 3 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Emilie Desjardins, successfully defended her master's thesis where she performed a material flow analysis of plastic in Iceland, moving towards a circular economy. Emilie's work was supervised by Dr. Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson from Reykjavik University and Dr. Hlynur Stefánsson from Reykjavik University. With examination by Dr. Jónas Þór Snæbjörnsson from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, June 3 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Nicholas Fry, successfully defended his master's thesis where he performed geothermal district heating assessments using iterative applications of techno-economic simulation and design software in a sparsely populated area of ​​Helena, Montana, USA. Nicholas' work was supervised by Dr. Juliet Newson from Reykjavik University and Jeff Birkby from Birkby Consulting, LLC. With examination by Dr. Páll Valdimarsson from Reykjavik University and Pvald ehf.

REYKJAVIK, June 2 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Ilham Narendrodhipo, successfully defended his master's thesis where he investigated the effect of wellbore scaling on exergy in a geothermal fluid by performing a computational fluid dynamic wellbore model estimate. Ilham's work was supervised by Dr. María Sigríður Guðjónsdóttir from Reykjavik University, Dr. Guðrún Arnbjörg Sævarsdóttir from Reykjavik University, and Dr. Vijay Chauhan from Reykjavik University. With examination by Dr. Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, June 2 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Sarah Elizabeth DiBenedetto, successfully defended her master's thesis where she modeled the ambient airflow in an aluminum electrolysis cell superstructure. Sarah's work was supervised by Dr. Guðrún Arnbjörg Sævarsdóttir from Reykjavik University, Dr. María Sigríður Guðjónsdóttir from Reykjavik University, and Dr. Yonatan A. Tesfahunegn from Reykjavik University. With examination by Einar Friðgeir Björnsson from Norðurál.

REYKJAVIK, June 2 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Arthurton Bellot, successfully defended his master's thesis where he modelled the La Soufrière hydrothermal system in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Arthurton's work was supervised by Dr. Juliet Ann Newson from Reykjavik University and Chelsea Arlette M. Cervantes from Reykjavik Geothermal.

REYKJAVIK, June 1 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Agla Sól Pétursdóttir, successfully defended her master's thesis where she performed a feasibility study of the applicability of the CarbFix method to geothermal power plants globally. Agla's work was supervised by Dr. Guðrún Arnbjörg Sævarsdóttir from Reykjavik University and Dr. María Sigríður Guðjónsdóttir from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, May 28 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Kit Pickford, successfully defended his master's thesis where he presented performed an assessment of the techno-economic, geopolitical and strategic feasibility of exporting hydrogen from Iceland to Europe. Kit's work was supervised by Dr. Ewa Lazarczyk Carlson from Reykjavik University and Dr. Páll Jensson from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, May 27 - MSc in Electric Power Engineering candidate, Trung Anh Tran, successfully defended his master's thesis where he researched the topic of Evaluation of Power Loss from Corona Discharge on an ACSR ZEBRA 220 kV Conductor. Trung's  work was supervised by Dr. Ragnar Kristjánsson from Reykjavik University and Laurentiu Anton from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, May 27 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Felix Sandström, successfully defended his master's thesis where he performed an Evaluation of Relative Permeabilities and Excess Enthalpy Modeling for Geothermal Reservoirs. Felix's work was supervised by Dr. María Guðjónsdóttir from Reykjavik University and Dr. Samuel Warren Scott from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, May 26 - MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering candidate, Mariana Maia, successfully defended her master's thesis where she presented a Techno-Economic Analysis of Green Ammonia Production using Offshore Wind Farms. Mariana's work was supervised by Dr. Guðrún Sævarsdóttir from Reykjavik University, Dr. Henrik Frandsen from Technical University of Denmark and Dr. Alessandro Singlitico from Technical University of Denmark.

REYKJAVIK, May 25 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Rachel Brophy, successfully defended her master's thesis where she researched the topic of Computer Simulations of Ionic Diffusion in MAPI Perovskite. Rachel's work was supervised by Dr. Andrei Manolescu from Reykjavik University and Dr. Halldór Guðfinnur Svavarsson from Reykjavik University.

REYKJAVIK, January 15 - MSc in Electric Power Engineering candidate, Róbert Bjarnar Ólafsson, successfully defended his master's thesis where he researched the topic of Electric Vehicle Load Impact on 400 V Distribution Systems with Monte Carlo Simulation. Róbert's work was supervised by Laurentiu Anton from Reykjavik University and Kári Hreinsson from Veitur.

REYKJAVIK, December 09 - Late last month ISE Director Dr. Juliet Newson had the chance to meet up with Contact Energy NZ Ltd geothermal reservoir engineers Nataly Castillo-Ruiz and Dr. Katie McLean at the 42nd New Zealand Geothermal Workshop. This year the workshop was held at beautiful Paihia in northern New Zealand, which is near the Ngawha Geothermal field. Being the longest-running energy conference in New Zealand, this event showcases keynote speakers, short course opportunities, and chances to interact with the geothermal community from New Zealand and around the world.

REYKJAVIK, November 13 - At ISE, the fall semester is wrapping up. Our second year students are hard at work on their research projects, our first year students are wrapping up their exams and our prospective students are putting together their applications. The winter holidays are just around the corner and so too is the new year. With many of us cautiously hopeful for the new year, we wanted to reground ourselves, and asked our students to recall what attracted them to ISE in the first place. Second year student Rachel Brophy gave us this open letter to anyone looking to start at ISE, and we just had to share it.

REYKJAVIK, October 26 - Each year, the Arctic Innovation Lab has been held as part of The Arctic Circle conference, where students pitch ideas that help promote sustainable development in the Arctic. This year, the event took to a digital stage, and was held on October 9^th on Zoom. The lab showcased fresh new ideas from politicians, leaders, and students active in the field and was co-organized by the Arctic Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center in partnership with the Luleå University of Technology, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and the Iceland School of Energy at Reykjavík University.  

REYKJAVIK, September 18 - This summer, Iceland School of Energy students have been busy. Whether it’s attending summer school, performing preliminary research for a thesis project, or working on an interesting job, our students have found ways to stay engaged. For current ISE Sustainable Energy student Madison MacKenzie, her summer was full of hands-on experience in the Eastfjords of Iceland. 

REYKJAVIK, September 15 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Veronica Martin, successfully defended her master's thesis where she researched the topic of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the shipping/maritime industry with respects to shipping container repurposing/recycling. Veronica's work was supervised by R. Morgan Greene from Reykjavik university.

REYKJAVIK, September 09 - MSc in Sustainable Energy candidate, Esteban Gomez, successfully defended his master's thesis where he performed numerical modelling of the shallow reinjection and tracer transport at the Nesjavellir Geothermal System, in Iceland. Through this, he made an assessment of the heat transfer and fluid flow of the area. Esteban's research was supervised by Juliet Newson and Samuel Warren Scott from Reykjavik University, as well as Thomas M.P. Ratouis from Orkuveita Reykjavíkur ( Reykjavik Energy ).