This week’s course was yet another Icelandic specialty: hydropower. Although a somewhat contentious topic for many around the world, hydropower in Iceland is huge due to enormous amounts of water. Of note is the recently completed dam in the east of Iceland, providing over 600MW of electricity to the multinational aluminum giant Alcoa. Icelanders are deeply divided. The reservoir for the dam submerged 57 square km and there are concerns of animal populations. Others point to the jobs created and a potential to create a new “Golden Circle” for tourists.
We didn’t make it to the Alcoa smelter this week but did make it to another Hydropower plant at Laxárvirkjun. Overall, this was a very cool place. To many of our surprise, there was an Icelandic mythology theme to the plant complete with figurines next to the turbines.
That weekend was a swing dance lesson provided by our very own Steve.
An intense game of volleyball followed in the newly minted Skjaldarvik International Volleyball Stadium.
Also, it has been getting lighter and lighter each night. This picture was taken close to 11:00PM.
No comments:
Post a Comment