Involved in a Wide Range of Innovation Projects

Since its founding, Héðinn has taken the initiative in its own diverse innovation projects, but has also contributed to the projects of others with its expertise and experience.

Carbfix Air Capture Plant

One of the innovation projects Héðinn has taken part in is the construction of the Carbfix air capture plant at the Hellisheiði Power Station, which has attracted worldwide attention. There, greenhouse gases are captured from the plant’s emissions before they are released into the atmosphere and cause harm, and are injected into underground rock layers where they turn into stone.

The owner of the power station is Orka náttúrunnar (ON), while the disposal of the gases through reinjection is managed by Carbfix, which has developed this technology.

The capture plant was opened in 2014. Héðinn was the main contractor for its construction and has since continued to work on this project, which carries great expectations, as the struggle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is among the greatest challenges facing humanity.

Microalgae from Natural Resources

Another innovation project that Héðinn has participated in in various ways is also located in ON Power’s Geothermal Park at the Hellisheiði Power Station. This is the plant of the company Vaxa Technologies, which produces microalgae from natural by-products of the power station, located only a short distance away. Everything needed for the production process is available on site: renewable electricity, cold and hot water, and carbon dioxide. The plant produces biomass in the form of microalgae. The algae are used, among other things, as feed in aquaculture hatcheries, while Vaxa also aims to cultivate algae for human consumption. Through this production, clean energy is transformed into a protein-rich Omega-3 product that contains no additives.

Héðinn has taken part in the design, construction, and installation of the machinery at Vaxa’s plant and plays a key role in the expansion of the plant’s production line in 2022, as well as in a new 15,000-square-meter plant that will also be located in ON Power’s Geothermal Park at Hellisheiði.