SERVICES AND FIELDS OF ACTIVITY

Verkís is the leading designer in most of the largest hydropower plants in Iceland. With more than thirty hydropower experts trained all around the world, Verkís provides high quality technical services throughout the whole project development chain. Our ambition is to design safe hydropower projects in harmony with nature while minimizing construction and operational risks, coupled with seeking the most cost effective solutions.

Fields of consulting services include:

• Dams, waterways and hydraulic structures
• Dam safety, flood control
• Ice in rivers, snow avalanches, seismic hazards, fish passage
• Geology, rock and soil mechanics
• Underground and surface power houses and pertinent structures
• Turbines, generators and auxiliary equipment
• Mechanical equipment, including gates, penstocks and cranes
• Control- and protection systems
• High voltage switchgear

Three departments – Civil Engineering, Mechanical Systems and Electrical Energy Systems – form the division of Hydropower and Transmission. The division provides comprehensive services to owners, developers and operators of hydropower production and transmission facilities. Verkís also provides engineering consultancy in other renewable energy sectors, such as geothermal, tidal and binary power plants.

Verkís’ hydropower team services are designed to meet the requirements of the client, including:

•  Environmental impact assessment and risk assessment
• Preliminary studies, feasibility studies
• Project planning, cost estimation and project management
• Tender and detail design, tender documents and design review
• Construction site management and supervision
• Factory tests, field tests and commissioning
• Operational services
• Refurbishing and maintenance

The forces of nature, such as seismic activity, ice formation in waterways, landslides and avalanches are a challenge to designers. Harnessing hydropower in Iceland and abroad has given our specialists the opportunity to gain recent and practical experience in the field. Cooperation with institutions and universities, participation in research and teaching is an integral part of Verkís professional activities.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Ever since 1932, when the first Icelandic consulting engineering firm was founded by Sigurður Thoroddsen, Verkís has accumulated experience in the hydropower sector, having been a leading designer of the majority of hydropower plants in Iceland. In addition, Verkís’ hydropower team has participated in feasibility studies, design and supervision of several such facilities overseas, e.g. Greenland and Georgia.

MAIN PROJECTS

Iceland

• Kárahnjúkar 690 MW Búrfell 270 MW
• Hrauneyjafoss 210 MW
• Blanda 150 MW
• Urriðafoss 130 MW
• Sultartangi 120 MW
• Vatnsfell 90 MW
• Sog 90 MW
• Búðarháls 80 MW
• Hvammur 80 MW
• Holt 50 MW
• Lagarfoss 28 MW
• Laxá III 13.5 MW
• Laxá II 9 MW
• Skeiðsfoss I 3.3 MW
• Grímsá 2.8 MW
• Þverá 2.4 MW
• Gönguskarðsá 2.4 MW
• Smyrlabjargaá 1.3 MW
• Mjólká III 1.2 MW
• Laxárvatn 0.5 MW

Abroad

• Holi II, India 7 MW
• Mtkvari, Georgia 43 MW
• Illulisat, Greenland 22.5 MW
• Sisimiut, Greenland 15 MW
• Qorlortorsuaq, GL 7.6 MW