Dr. Helgi Þór Ingason , Reykjavik University Iceland Geothermal Conference 2013 March 5-8, 2013, Harpa, Reykjavík

1. Dr. Helgi Þór Ingason
Gréta María Grétarsdóttir
Helgi Leifsson
Geothermal Power Project: Creating a
common understanding of the life cycle

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CONTEXT AND CONTENT
• Our context
and objectives
• The tool
• The working
method and
how it evolved
• Status of our
work and our
current results

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OUR OBJECTIVES
• Lack of understanding and application of project
management in Iceland
– we need better and more dynamic planning
– we need more focus on risk management
• Lack of credibility
– need certificiations and international recoqnitions
• Lack of common understanding of the nature of
geothermal power projects
– life cycle definitions, phases and tasks
• Lack of effective communication
– what information is required for financial institutions to
assess if they want to participate?
– how can we make the processes for permits more effective?

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OUR CHOSEN TOOL
• A typical approach would be a WBS and a Gantt
chart
• Other methods might lead to more critical review and
support a more dynamic group discussion and give
space for new perspectives
• We chose Design Structure Matrix (DSM)
– a matrix representation, a tool for analysis and management
– can represent system components, processes or organizations
– shows interaction between system elements

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4:
accumulation of
results,
optimization and
presentation
OUR WORKING METHOD
1:
PM group
discussions and
analysis
2:
harnessing the
wisdom in the
other groups to
map the life cycle
3:
dialogue on
financing and
official permits
and the impact
thereof on the life
cycle

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OUR WORKING METHOD, CONTINUTED

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TASKS AND THEIR LOGICAL CONTEXT - DSM
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A TYPICAL VIEW OF THE LIFE CYCLE AS WE SEE IT

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THE SYSTEM KNOWLEDGE INCREASES OVER TIME

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THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT INCREASES

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WHERE ARE WE NOW?

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PRESENT STATUS
• We have accumulated all available
information to get the necessary overview
• We are on our way with creating a body of
knowledge with a general terminology
• Presently, a dynamic discussion is taking
place within the group on official permits
• This has become an iterative process
• A common view of the life cycle is emerging
and a common understanding of the
interactions between different interested
parties and their influence

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ON A CONCLUDING NOTE
• Lack of understanding and application of project management in
Iceland, lack of credibility
– this improving in general and our contribution is
vital for the geothermal sector
• Lack of common understanding of the nature of geothermal
power projects
– a common understanding is emerging
– some of the steps are being designed
– as much designing a life cycle as mapping
• Lack of effective communication
– the interested parties are in an open dialogue
– hopefully, we can build on this for the future

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thank you !