Green Erasmus

17/05/2026

Erasmus+ GREEN Project Mobility in Iceland

The first Erasmus+ GREEN project mobility took place in Akureyri from 11. to 15. 05. 2026, bringing together students and teachers from the Netherlands, Portugal, Croatia, Turkey, and Iceland. The host institution was Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri. The mobility focused on renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, and sustainable development through a combination of expert lectures, field visits, and collaborative student work....

The first Erasmus+ GREEN project mobility took place in Akureyri from 11. to 15. 05. 2026, bringing together students and teachers from the Netherlands, Portugal, Croatia, Turkey, and Iceland. The …

17/05/2026

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The final day of our Erasmus+ GREEN mobility in Akureyri was filled with emotions, pride, and unforgettable moments.

The day began with the premiere presentations of the video projects created by the international student teams throughout the week. Each team showcased creative ideas and practical solutions for improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainable energy use in different environments, including Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri, the farm, the data center, and Forest Lagoon. Through their presentations, students demonstrated not only their technical and creative skills, but also the power of teamwork, collaboration, and intercultural learning.

After the presentations, a certificate award ceremony was held, celebrating the successful completion of another inspiring Erasmus+ mobility. The certificates symbolized not only the knowledge and experience gained during the week, but also the friendships, cooperation, and memories created together.

At the very end, we said our goodbyes, grateful for all the experiences, new friendships, and valuable lessons we shared during this unforgettable week in Iceland. At the same time, we are already looking forward to meeting again at the next GREEN project mobility in the Netherlands this October. 🌍♻️

17/05/2026

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The fourth day of our Erasmus+ GREEN mobility in Akureyri began with a very interesting presentation about Icelandic horses, one of the most recognizable and unique horse breeds in the world. We had the opportunity to learn more about their history, their importance in Icelandic culture, and the special characteristics that make them a true symbol of Iceland. We were especially fascinated by the fact that Icelandic horses have lived in isolation for centuries, which helped them preserve their original traits and remarkable resilience to harsh weather conditions.

This was followed by a presentation about the Icelandic energy system and the ways Iceland successfully utilizes renewable energy sources. We learned how the combination of geothermal and hydropower enables Iceland to achieve almost complete energy independence and how the country continuously invests in sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.

During the rest of the day, students continued working in international teams on their project tasks and video content. Their focus was on developing ideas for energy savings and improving energy efficiency at Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri, as well as at the locations they had previously visited together with their mentors — the farm, the data center, and Forest Lagoon.

Through teamwork, the exchange of ideas, and creative solutions, the students once again demonstrated how international cooperation can contribute to building more sustainable and energy-efficient communities. 🌍♻️

13/05/2026

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The third day of our Erasmus+ GREEN project mobility was entirely dedicated to field activities and discovering Iceland’s incredible natural and energy resources.

We began the day at the breathtaking Goðafoss, also known as the “Waterfall of the Gods,” one of Iceland’s most famous natural landmarks. From there, we visited the Laxárvirkjun hydroelectric power plant, where we learned more about Iceland’s efficient use of renewable hydropower.

Our next stop was the Þeistareykir Power Station geothermal power plant, where geothermal water at temperatures reaching 178°C powers two steam turbines with a combined capacity of 90 MW. Both the hydroelectric and geothermal plants provide highly stable electricity production, which is one of the reasons why electricity prices in Iceland remain remarkably low.

The journey then continued through some of Iceland’s most fascinating natural wonders. We visited the charming town of Húsavík, world-famous as one of the best starting points for whale watching adventures.

After that, we explored the geothermal area Hverir near Lake Mývatn. The landscape there felt almost otherworldly — filled with steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pools, and colorful mineral-rich soil in shades of orange, red, and white. The strong sulfur smell, often compared to rotten eggs, reminded us of the powerful geothermal activity taking place beneath the Earth’s surface.

Another unforgettable stop was Dimmuborgir, a dramatic lava field formed around 2,300 years ago during volcanic eruptions. Its name means “Dark Castles,” inspired by the lava formations that resemble mysterious ruins, towers, and fortresses. Icelandic folklore says this magical place is home to trolls and elves, adding even more charm to the experience.

We ended this unforgettable day by relaxing in the beautiful Forest Lagoon, surrounded by stunning Icelandic nature and reflecting on another inspiring day filled with learning, exploration, and green energy discoveries. 🌍♻️

12/05/2026

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The second day of the GREEN project mobility in Akureyri was dedicated to exploring Icelandic innovations in sustainable energy and energy efficiency.

We started the day with an engaging presentation by representatives of RARIK, the company responsible for distributing geothermal energy in northern Iceland. We learned how Icelanders harness the power of nature to heat households by drilling deep geothermal wells reaching depths of up to 1,800 meters. Water is naturally heated by the Earth’s internal heat and then transported through pipelines to homes and other users.

What impressed us the most was the exceptional purity of the geothermal water, which contains almost no minerals or oxygen, significantly reducing corrosion and deposits inside the pipelines. Thanks to this system, heating in Iceland is extremely affordable, costing around €0.04 per kWh. At the same time, our hosts openly discussed sustainability challenges — in many areas, cooled water is still released into the sea, although more and more regions are now working on implementing closed-loop systems to use energy in a more efficient and environmentally responsible way.

Throughout the day, students continued working on their project tasks and visited a local farm as well as Forest Lagoon to explore how different forms of energy are applied in everyday life and tourism. Meanwhile, teachers analyzed worksheets and educational activities related to energy efficiency that had been prepared before the mobility.

In the afternoon, we discovered how “waste” heat from the aluminum processing industry can be reused, providing another excellent example of Iceland’s innovative and sustainable approach to energy management. We ended the day by visiting workshops where international teams presented the progress of their work, once again demonstrating creativity, collaboration, and inspiring green ideas. 🌍♻️

12/05/2026

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The first day of the GREEN project mobility in beautiful Akureyri began with an overview of the project activities and a warm welcome speech from the principal of the host school, Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri. This was followed by presentations of the national teams, as well as the cities and schools we come from, creating a great atmosphere for a week of international cooperation and new experiences.

One of the highlights of the day was an inspiring lecture delivered by experts from the Icelandic Environment and Energy Agency, who introduced us to Iceland’s approach to sustainability and environmental protection. Although Iceland has an abundance of affordable geothermal energy, many remote communities and islands still do not have access to the electricity grid or geothermal heating and therefore rely on fuel oil for heating. To address this challenge, the government strongly supports green solutions by investing in small wind turbines and subsidizing solar panels, battery systems, and heat pumps, with up to 50% of the investment covered.

We were especially impressed by the fact that electric vehicles already make up around 20% of Iceland’s total vehicle fleet, while nearly 70% of newly registered cars are electric. However, Icelanders are not stopping there — they continue investing in charging infrastructure and encouraging citizens to transition to renewable energy solutions and electric mobility.

The day continued with students being divided into international teams and introduced to the tasks and activities that await them throughout this exciting week filled with learning, collaboration, and green innovation. 🌍♻️