Geothermal Potential in Galapagos Islands: Supporting Sustainable Energy Transition

Abstract

Galapagos Islands are strongly dependent on fossil fuels to produce electricity, for inland and marine transportation. Different efforts have been implemented to integrate renewable energies in power systems and to promote electric mobility. However, energy demand is growing in a fast rate making these efforts negligible for a sustainable energy transition. Geothermal is a non-variable renewable energy resource that is abundant in volcanic origin islands like Galapagos which can make feasible 100% renewable energy system. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to make a rapid assessment of geothermal resource using innovative approaches that integrate remote sensing, spatial multicriteria analysis and an a energy system analysis in order to calculate the penetration of geothermal in existing fossil fuel based power system in the islands. Contributing with energy policy recommendations towards sustainable energy transition in Natural and protected areas like Galapagos Islands.