A Resource and Policy Driven Assessment of the Geothermal Energy Potential Across the Islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Abstract

The 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.

Powering the sustainable transition with geothermal energy: A case study on Dominica

“…Dominica can realise more than 20 times its projected power demand by utilising its untapped geothermal resource solely. The island boasts the highest geothermal potential among OECS nations in the eastern Caribbean [5]. Geothermal energy is considered dispatchable since it meets the following requirements: controllable, firm, flexible [58], and capable of reliably replacing power from fossil fuels.…”

“…In considering the country level analysis for Dominica as it pertains to its current energy consumption, the island nation requires a peak demand output of 20MW; for which diesel constitutes 63% [50] of its grid capacity while hydroelectric power maintains the other 37%. The energy sector is dependent on imported fossil fuels at an annual cost of 27 million USD (5% of Dominica's GDP [5]. The BAU case assumes that while power generation from existing hydroelectric power plants remains at capacity [87] due to hindrances such as seasonal fluctuations and changing precipitation patterns associated with climate change, diesel generation increases to satisfy the growing energy demand in subsequent years-up to 2030.…”

“…The Eastern Caribbean region provides one such example, where substantial untapped renewable potential can be realised owing to its geography and geology [5]; however, all of the islands are electrically isolated with high fossil fuel dependence and little local resources aligned to energy production [6,7].…”

“…Geologically, the region is situated in an active region around the Caribbean plate, creating ideal geological situations where geothermal energy can be harboured [5]. Geothermal energy is independent of weather and climatic situations and most suitable for scale-up, proving to be the most reliable RE resource for the region [19].…”

“…Islands such as Guadeloupe with (15 MW installed capacity) [22] and Dominica (up to 1390 MW potential) [5] have begun exploring geothermal energy with ambitions to reduce annual avoided GHG emissions to 0.30 million tonne CO2/yr by 2027 [5]. Additionally, its abundance in Dominica, which surpasses the national demand, allows for an interconnected grid via subsea transmission-wherein power can be traded with nearby islands encouraging economically viable large scale deployment of geothermal energy since neighbouring islands have much higher power needs [23].…”