17 research outputs found
Mathematical modelling and simulation of selected stratigrapy within the province of Saskatchewan, Canada for geothermal energy prospecting
No full textThe Intertemporal Analysis of Jamaica’s Energy Landscape in the Industrial Age
No full textThis chapter critically examines the three distinctive periods in Jamaica’s energy landscape. The analysis initiates with the use of coal-burning steam generators in 1892 and the energy use transition to the early 2000s through the integration of significant installed power capacity of wind and solar energy and finally a glimpse into the future outlook of the overall energy mix with enhanced energy storage mechanisms.Therefore, a deep-dive analysis into the role of fossil fuels, renewable energy and more so transition pathways to a low carbon economy through renewables higher penetration vis a vis the energy mix.This will be presented in tandem with three future timelines; 2027, 2030 and 2055. These timelines have been selected through their regional, local and internationally established importance of carbon dioxide mitigation targets
Subsurface temperature analysis along the Williston Basin, Canada for geothermal energy prospecting
No full textJamaica’s Renewable Energy Crossroads: Transitional Challenges and Recommendations
No full textJamaica’s renewable energy drive towards higher penetration rates into the national electrical grid has made significant progress since the early 2000s. However, the nation has continued to exhibit a societal tendency toward electricity theft (non-technical losses). Updated statistics from the national electricity grid provider the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) speaks of non-technical losses of around 20%.Research into high-profile communities exhibiting electrical theft was conducted to assess the correlation between electrical theft and alternative lighting technologies, knowledge of energy use and the cost of lighting technologies. Therefore, this chapter explores the major challenges of non-technical losses toward the electrical grid and presents potential recommendations for alternative lighting technologies to aid in the excessive energy demand of 200,000 plus illegally connected households
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion—Flexible Enabling Technology for Variable Renewable Energy Integration in the Caribbean
Full text linkMany Caribbean island nations have historically been heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels for both power and transportation, while at the same time being at an enhanced risk from the impacts of climate change, although their emissions represent a very tiny fraction of the global total responsible for climate change. Small island developing states (SIDSs) are among the leaders in advocating for the ambitious 1.5 °C Paris Agreement target and the transition to 100% sustainable, renewable energy systems. In this work, three central results are presented. First, through GIS mapping of all Caribbean islands, the potential for near-coastal deep-water as a resource for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is shown, and these results are coupled with an estimate of the countries for which OTEC would be most advantageous due to a lack of other dispatchable renewable power options. Secondly, hourly data have been utilized to explicitly show the trade-offs between battery storage needs and dispatchable renewable sources such as OTEC in 100% renewable electricity systems, both in technological and economic terms. Finally, the utility of near-shore, open-cycle OTEC with accompanying desalination is shown to enable a higher penetration of renewable energy and lead to lower system levelized costs than those of a conventional fossil fuel system
A resource and policy driven assessment of the geothermal energy potential across the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Full text linkThe energy security of each Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state is a key issue specifically addressed based on the energy demands of each nation. St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has the potential to strengthen its energy sector through the exploitation of immense untapped natural geothermal resources. Currently, SVG is planning to integrate base load power through a 10 Megawatt-electric (MWe) geothermal power plant (GPP1). The paper aims to highlight a detailed resource assessment profile of the renewables across SVG and the projected benefits of the proposed 10 MWe geothermal power potential, such as the positive economic development (displacing 149,000 bbls of crude oil), and the transition to a more climate-sensitive nation (displacing an estimated 0.172 million tCO2e/year). In addition, a volumetric method (Monte Carlo simulations) has been applied to reveal that the geothermal reservoir can sustain a minimum of 31 MWe, 34 MWe and 92 MWe over the lifespan of 25–30 years, for well 1 (SVG01), well 2 (SVG02) and well 3 (SVG03) respectively. Given the findings of the assessment and simulations, several policy approaches are identified as potential means of enhancing geothermal resource development and leveraging the resource for the islands’ sustainable energy demands. These include incentivization for public-private partnerships, information certainty, regulatory processes, and strengthened institutions
A Review of Caribbean Geothermal Energy Resource Potential
Full text linkThe Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is comprised of fifteen-member states each exhibiting geographic, cultural and economic diversity. Six of these CARICOM member states along the Eastern Caribbean chain of islands display high-enthalpy systems for geothermal energy exploitation. This paper aims to provide a review into the geothermal energy resource potential across the Caribbean and presents quantitative findings as to the potential power production, economic and environmental savings through which geothermal energy development can bring to each respective nation. Notable findings for a 2027 scenario project an estimated 184.49 MW of geothermal capacity that can be absorbed into the national energy mix, displacing 855,600 barrels of oil (bbls) importation, resulting in approximately 1.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2) emissions being avoided per year. An inter-island grid connection approach is presented to tackle large-scale energy projects to attract financial investors in an effort to combat the upfront challenges associated with geothermal energy development
A Review of Caribbean Geothermal Energy Resource Potential
Full text linkThe Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is comprised of fifteen-member states each exhibiting geographic, cultural and economic diversity. Six of these CARICOM member states along the Eastern Caribbean chain of islands display high-enthalpy systems for geothermal energy exploitation. This paper aims to provide a review into the geothermal energy resource potential across the Caribbean and presents quantitative findings as to the potential power production, economic and environmental savings through which geothermal energy development can bring to each respective nation. Notable findings for a 2027 scenario project an estimated 184.49 MW of geothermal capacity that can be absorbed into the national energy mix, displacing 855,600 barrels of oil (bbls) importation, resulting in approximately 1.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2) emissions being avoided per year. An inter-island grid connection approach is presented to tackle large-scale energy projects to attract financial investors in an effort to combat the upfront challenges associated with geothermal energy development
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Onshore wind energy potential for small island developing states: Findings and recommendations from Barbados
Full text linkSmall Island Developing States (SIDS) are often burdened with high electricity prices whilst being bestowed with excellent wind resources. Wind energy is the most proven of the modern renewable energy technologies and, in areas with a good resource, is often the cheapest form of electricity generation. Many small island states have yet to tap into their wind energy potential. Using the Caribbean island of Barbados as a case study, this paper applies basic engineering processes and a spatial planning methodology to determine an island’s maximum potential installed wind capacity. In order to encourage repeated studies for other islands, publicly available global historical hourly weather data is identified and forms part of a technical assessment to estimate the expected annual energy yield. The paper highlights the complexities of wind energy development on small islands when compared with mainland countries and explores the key factors that are to be addressed if SIDS are to make use of their wind resource. Economic analysis of the expected annual energy yield for Barbados predicts a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for wind of 0.13 US/kWh), which compares favourably with other forms of generation that are an option for the island
Sustainable solar energy deployment: a multi-criteria decision-making approach for site suitability and greenhouse gas emission reduction
No full textConventional power generation methods have led to adverse environmental impacts. Thus, the need for a strategic transition to alternative energy sources arises. This study presents a comprehensive approach to sustainable solar energy deployment using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques. The research aims to identify suitable sites for utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, estimate potential energy output, and assess solar PV deployment’s environmental and economic impacts. The methodology integrates analytic hierarchy process (AHP), fuzzy logic, and geographic information systems (GIS) to evaluate land suitability across four scenarios. The analysis considers technical, economic, environmental, and social factors, including solar radiation, proximity to infrastructure, land use, topography, and stakeholder opinions. Results reveal that Scenario 1 analytic hierarchy process multi-criteria-decision-making (AHP-MCDM) identified 2824.1 km2 of suitable land, while the combined approach in Scenario 3 yielded 666.9 km2. The study estimates potential annual energy generation ranging from 19.69 to 109.15 GWh/km2/year, depending on the scenario and solar PV technology used. Environmental impact assessments indicate potential annual CO2 emission reductions of up to 51,365.84 tons, with associated cost savings of US $3.28 million. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and investors, highlighting 16 optimal sites for utility-scale solar farm development across Jamaica, with the most promising in the Westmoreland, Manchester, and St. Mary parishes. These findings contribute to Jamaica’s renewable energy goals and offer a replicable, sustainable solar energy planning framework in similar geographical contexts
