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The Steingerdur carbon capture plant is achieving excellent results in carbon dioxide capture
The latest operational results from the Steingerður air purification plant at ON Power's Hellisheiði Power Plant show outstanding performance.
During the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, 99.6% of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) and all of the hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) that entered the air purification plant's capture system were dissolved in water and sent for permanent storage in the bedrock. Such capture is the first stage of carbon dioxide storage, and the results demonstrate the high efficiency of Steingerður, which is a collaborative project between Carbfix and ON Power at the Hellisheiði Power Plant.
Speeding up a natural process
The Carbfix method is based on the same natural carbon cycle that takes millennia, but Carbfix's technology binds carbon dioxide instantly in water using Steingerður and then transforms it into new minerals within two years by injecting the carbonated water into the rock formations in the area. In doing so, the operation reduces the climate impact of geothermal power generation and also contributes to the safe and cost-effective treatment of hydrogen sulfide. During the period, more than 19 thousand tons of CO₂ were injected down through older geothermal wells that are now utilized for injection.
Important validation of the technology
ON's Hellisheiði Power Plant has been at the global forefront of reducing emissions from geothermal energy production, and Steingerður plays a key role there. The operational results demonstrate the high efficiency of the capture technology and confirm its effectiveness in continuous operation.
Since the Carbfix method was implemented at Hellisheiði, more than 120 thousand tons of CO₂ and over 50 thousand tons of H₂S have been mineralized in the rock.
The design and construction of Steingerður is a key element in the so-called Silfurberg project, which received a grant of nearly 3.9 million euros from the European Union's Innovation Fund. This support has been crucial in the development and expansion of the technology and has contributed to increased knowledge on how Icelandic ingenuity and expertise can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
