| Title | Opportunities for Direct Utilization of Geothermal Energy in the Eastern Caribbean |
|---|---|
| Authors | Charlin BODLEY |
| Year | 2020 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Caribbean region, Eastern Caribbean, direct utilization, geothermal energy, potential, direct utilization applications |
| Abstract | Most of the islands of the Eastern Caribbean region are of volcanic origin and are therefore collectively home to one of the world’s largest untapped geothermal sources. Despite this potential, most islands in the region remain over 90% dependent on imported fossil fuels. In addition to the intrinsic challenges characteristic of geothermal project development, the Caribbean region faces unique challenges in the development of its geothermal resources, including those posed by the particularities of small-scale economies. Evident of the challenges faced by this region is the fact that thus far the French territory of Guadeloupe remains the only island in the Caribbean which has successfully developed a geothermal power plant. This is despite the long histories of geothermal exploration dating as far back as 1951 which some islands account. In the majority of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, geothermal energy is presently being explored for electricity generation. Although on a global scale 82 countries have reported the application of direct utilization of geothermal energy, this has been very limited in any of the Caribbean islands. Globally, most direct use applications for geothermal is for heating (35%) and bathing (45%). While tropical Caribbean islands have low to no heating demands, direct utilization of geothermal energy is applicable to a host of other end-uses. This paper therefore presents an analysis of the potential of direct utilization in the Eastern Caribbean. It identifies suitable applications and opportunities to leverage geothermal reservoirs and efforts at exploiting and developing the resource in the region. It seeks to determine whether geothermal development can be enhanced through the application of direct utilization including for agricultural and recreational use and space conditioning applications. Particular focus is placed on the impact on tourism consequent upon the particular energy needs of the sector and the dependence of the small island nation economies on the tourism sector. In the Caribbean context this paper pays particular attention to the cascaded use of geothermal fluids after use for power production. |