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Harvesting volcanoes for clean energy
Source: Agencies |
September 22, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
DOTTED with active volcanoes, Central America is seeking to tap its unique geography to produce green energy and cut dependence on oil imports as demand for electricity outstrips supply.
Sitting above shifting tectonic plates in the Pacific basin known to cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the region has huge potential for geothermal power generated by heat stored deep in the earth.
Geothermal power plants, while expensive to build, can provide a long-term, reliable source of electricity and are considered more environmentally friendly than large hydroelectric dams that can alter a country's topography.
Guatemala, Central America's biggest country, aims to produce 60 percent of its energy from geothermal and hydroelectric power by 2022.
Some 500 meters below the summit of Guatemala's active Pacaya volcano, which exploded in May, pipes carrying steam and water at 175 degrees Celsius snake across the mountainside to one of two geothermal plants currently operating in the country.
Run by Ormat Technologies Inc, the plant harnesses energy from water heated by chambers filled with molten rock deep beneath the ground.
Other Central American countries are already forging ahead in this emerging technology.
More than a fifth of El Salvador's energy needs come from two geothermal plants with installed capacity of 160 megawatts.
Costa Rica, which has 152 MW of capacity in four geothermal plants, is due to bring a fifth plant online in January 2011.
Nicaragua generates 66 MW from geothermal energy and in the next five years plans an increase to 166 MW.
Sitting above shifting tectonic plates in the Pacific basin known to cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the region has huge potential for geothermal power generated by heat stored deep in the earth.
Geothermal power plants, while expensive to build, can provide a long-term, reliable source of electricity and are considered more environmentally friendly than large hydroelectric dams that can alter a country's topography.
Guatemala, Central America's biggest country, aims to produce 60 percent of its energy from geothermal and hydroelectric power by 2022.
Some 500 meters below the summit of Guatemala's active Pacaya volcano, which exploded in May, pipes carrying steam and water at 175 degrees Celsius snake across the mountainside to one of two geothermal plants currently operating in the country.
Run by Ormat Technologies Inc, the plant harnesses energy from water heated by chambers filled with molten rock deep beneath the ground.
Other Central American countries are already forging ahead in this emerging technology.
More than a fifth of El Salvador's energy needs come from two geothermal plants with installed capacity of 160 megawatts.
Costa Rica, which has 152 MW of capacity in four geothermal plants, is due to bring a fifth plant online in January 2011.
Nicaragua generates 66 MW from geothermal energy and in the next five years plans an increase to 166 MW.
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