| Abstract |
Geothermal energy has a vast potential in the West Indies’ islands. The geological composition and the geodynamical properties of this area lead to a strong presence of hydrothermal activity, offering a favorable potential for the development of geothermal industry. In addition, the economic situation of these islands makes them dependent on hydrocarbons imports; this is why local politicians show an interest toward the development of this renewable energy in this area. The study presented was conducted in three islands of the West Indies: Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica, and the purpose is to understand students’ conceptions about geothermy. Combined with the development of others local renewable energies, geothermal energy offers an interesting potential that could allow these islands to acquire energy autonomy. The West Indies are the volcanic islands resulting from the subduction of the North and South America plates under the Caribbean plate. Despite a relatively close geological context, those islands present different geothermal contexts and uses of geothermal energy. In Guadeloupe, a geothermal power plant located in Bouillante city exploits groundwater between 500 and 1000 meters deep and at a temperature of 250°C. The electricity produced corresponds, over the last decade, to around 8% of the island's local energy consumption. In Dominica, despite a proven significant geothermal potential in the Roseau Valley, no geothermal power plant exists. However, several boreholes were drilled between 2011 and 2014. Finally, in Martinique, some exploratory studies were carried out, but there is currently no geothermal facility. Geothermal conceptions of a representative sample (n=1349) of 14-15 years old students were collected in the three islands through a questionnaire including open and closed-ended questions, Likert scales and drawings. The collected data were analysed using statistical methods (descriptive, interdependence and multiple correspondence analyses). It reveals that students’ conceptions about geothermal energy are very different between these three islands. In Guadeloupe, students associate geothermal energy with its industrial aspect as well as with volcanism and have a positive opinion of this energy. In Martinique, students link geothermal energy with its renewable trait, which is positive for the environment. In Dominica, the conceptions are oriented on the practical aspect of the resource and students have a positive opinion of it because of its impact on the economic development but they also fear a negative impact for the environment and safety. This study demonstrates the contextuality of conceptions about this energy. The conceptions about geothermal energy are strongly related to the geological, political, socioeconomic and cultural context. It seems important to take those differences into consideration for an education of this concept in this area. In addition, pedagogies could use this diversity of contexts and representations, in relation with the context effects educative approaches. The authors would like to thank the GEOTREF project for financial support. This project is funded by ADEME in the frame of les investissements d’avenir program. Partners of the GEOTREF project are Kidova, Teranov, Mines ParisTech, ENS Paris, GeoAzur, Georessources, IMFT, IPGS, LHyGes, UA, UCP-GEC. |