NYSKOPUNARMIDSTOD ISLANDS

Their core work

The Innovation Center Iceland (ICI) operates at the intersection of innovation support services and geothermal energy research. Through its Enterprise Europe Network role, it provides SME innovation management — gap analysis, key account management, and access to EU funding instruments. Simultaneously, ICI contributes materials science and engineering expertise to geothermal energy projects, focusing on corrosion-resistant coatings, enhanced geothermal systems, and heat exchanger technologies. This dual profile makes it both a business support hub for Icelandic SMEs and a technical partner in Europe's geothermal research ecosystem.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ICI's early H2020 activity (2014-2017) was dominated by innovation support services — the ICEKAM series of coordination projects focused on SME Instruments and key account management through the Enterprise Europe Network. From 2016 onward, a strong geothermal research track emerged with GeoWell, Geo-Coat, MEET, GeoSmart, and GeoHex, reflecting Iceland's natural geothermal expertise entering the European R&D landscape. By the late period (2019-2024), geothermal keywords (ORC, scaling, surface engineering, enhanced geothermal systems) heavily outweigh innovation management terms, signaling a clear pivot toward technical research participation.

ICI is consolidating as a geothermal energy research partner with growing depth in surface engineering and ORC technology, while maintaining its EEN innovation support baseline.

How they like to work

ICI operates in two distinct modes: it leads smaller coordination and support actions (ICEKAM series, LIBBIO) and joins larger research consortia as a participant (Geo-Coat, MEET, GeoSmart, GeoHex). With 103 unique partners across 19 countries, they are a well-connected hub rather than a repeat-partner organization — likely reflecting Iceland's position as a specialized contributor that many European consortia want for geothermal credibility. Their willingness to coordinate CSA projects while participating in larger RIA/IA consortia suggests an adaptable partner comfortable in multiple roles.

ICI has built a broad European network of 103 unique consortium partners spanning 19 countries, remarkably extensive for an Icelandic organization of this size. The geothermal projects likely connect them to partners in volcanic/geothermal regions (Italy, Turkey, France) and Northern European research institutions.

What sets them apart

ICI brings something rare to European consortia: direct access to Iceland's world-leading geothermal environment as a living laboratory, combined with institutional capacity to coordinate EU projects. Few organizations can offer both real-world geothermal field conditions (high-temperature wells, corrosive environments, EGS sites) and the administrative machinery to manage H2020 deliverables. For consortium builders, ICI also doubles as a bridge to the Icelandic SME ecosystem through its Enterprise Europe Network role.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LIBBIO
  Their largest funded project (EUR 669K) as coordinator — a surprising diversification into bio-based economy and marginal land agriculture, far from their geothermal core.
• Geo-Coat
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 697K) for developing corrosion-resistant coatings for geothermal applications — represents their peak technical research involvement.
• MEET
  Multi-year EGS exploration project (EUR 547K) covering the full geothermal value chain from mapping to electricity production via ORC, anchoring ICI in Europe's enhanced geothermal community.