“The volcanic island of St. Lucia plans to tap geothermal power trapped beneath sulfur springs and rolling mud pools in a rare attempt at developing alternative energy sources in the Caribbean.” [1]
Extract Geothermal Power
Although the details have not been fully released, the Associated Press reports that a US company plans to extract geothermal power from a location on the island where fumaroles are flooded with water warmed by hot rocks.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is a form of renewable energy that is derived from the heat in the Earth’s core. Geothermal energy is extracted from the relatively stable earth core temperature of 54º to 56ºF using specifically designed geothermal supplies and equipment such as geothermal pipes, slotted pipes and geothermal fittings
Geothermal power is a sustainable, cost-effective, dependable and environmentally friendly. This form of energy stems from the planet’s formation, from radioactive decay and from the solar energy that is absorbed at the surface of the earth. [2]
Volcanic Island [3,4]
Saint Lucia is part of the Windwards Islands; it is situated in the middle of the Eastern Caribbean island chain. Saint Lucia is located roughly 34 km (21 miles) south of Martinique and 145 km (90 miles) northwest of Barbados.
The island covers an area of about 620 km2 (239 m2) and has a population of approximately 160,000. The island’s capital Castries, with a population of 50,000, is situated in the north western part of the island.
This volcanic island is the most mountainous of the Caribbean islands. A mountain range extends the length of the island with peaks varying from 100 feet to 3145 feet.
On the south western coast, two volcanoes Gros Piton (2615 feet) and Petit Piton (2461 feet) make up some of the Caribbean’s most renowned landmarks.
Tourism is vital to Saint Lucia's economy. Tourism is more popular in the dry season; tourists are attracted by Saint-Lucia’s tropical weather, beautiful scenery and abundant beaches and resorts.
Potential Geothermal Power
“The Sulfur Springs area where drilling is planned lies near St. Lucia's twin volcanic peaks, the Pitons, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The peaks, formed by a volcanic eruption about 35 million years ago, shelter several bird species, giant ferns and wild orchids and are tourist attractions.” [5]
The location of the underground cauldrons is estimated to hold a reserve of 30 megawatts and to have a potential of an additional reserve of up to 140 megawatts.
Currently, the volcanic island of Saint-Lucia obtains all its electricity needs from oil-burning plants, which is very common throughout the Caribbean. This project would fulfill a long standing plan of the governments throughout the area to invest in alternative energy resources.
The realization of this geothermal energy project would provide an alternative energy resource from the oil that is currently imported as well as offer a bit of energy security to this small Caribbean island.
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1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_power