Emergency steam solution keeps Icelandic homes warm after volcanic disruption
When a volcanic eruption in Iceland disrupted a district heating plant, thousands of households were at risk of losing heat during the coldest time of the year. Atlas Copco Specialty Rental stepped in with a rapid, reliable steam solution to protect households during the harshest winter conditions.
Customer challenge
Following a volcanic eruption that disabled the district heating system, an urgent backup heating solution was required.
Our solution
Two 8T mobile steam boilers were rapidly deployed to support a temporary heating system.
The result
The solution was implemented swiftly, ensuring continuous and reliable heating for 25,000 people connected to the district heating network.
Securing heat under extreme conditions
Iceland’s district heating systems are unique, many are open systems meaning there is no return flow of heated water. Following the eruption, a fast, dependable backup was needed to avoid leaving thousands without heat. A nearby site in Rockville offered geothermal water at approximately 60°C, but this temperature was insufficient for direct use in district heating and required additional treatment to meet system requirements.
A custom-built steam solution under pressure
Atlas Copco Specialty Rental supplied two fully integrated, mobile 8-ton steam boilers. The units were used to raise the water temperature to 105°C and to degas the water. Removing oxygen was critical to prevent corrosion in the district heating network, ensuring long-term system integrity. Designed for rapid installation and reliable performance, the mobile boilers provided a temporary yet vital steam solution when it mattered most.
Speed, expertise and precision logistics
Time was the biggest challenge. Iceland’s remote island location, combined with the urgency of the situation, required detailed planning and flawless execution. Atlas Copco Specialty Rental coordinated the transport of the equipment across long distances and ensured safe, efficient delivery to site. Close collaboration with the customer allowed potential challenges to be addressed ahead of arrival. Once the units were on site, our team could carefully start with the installation and the set-up.
Atlas Copco Specialty Rental acted fast and delivered a solution that gave us confidence during a critical situation. Their technical knowledge and responsiveness made all the difference.
Looking to rent with us in the short- or long-term? Contact Atlas Copco Specialty Rental today to explore how we can meet your needs!
At Atlas Copco, we have been turning industrial ideas into business-critical benefits since 1873. By listening to our customers and knowing their needs, we deliver value and innovate with the future in mind.
Great ideas reinforce sustainable development. At Atlas Copco Specialty Rental, we team up with our customers to set up state-of-the-art temporary air, nitrogen, power, flow, steam and cooling solutions. Our passionate experts have extensive application and equipment knowledge. We understand our customers' needs and can provide a total solution for any industry, no matter if it is for emergencies or planned projects. We are a division of the Power Technique business area, headquartered in Boom, Belgium and offer specialty rental solutions under several brands around the globe.
