Title: Geothermal resources in islands of southwest Pacific
Abstract: Many islands in the southwest Pacific are areas of present or historic volcanism and contain zones of geothermal activity. The volcanism and associated geothermal activity are related to areas of crustal consumption and subduction zones. Only in a few cases have the geothermal activity and the geothermal systems producing the activity been investigated in any detail. As a result, the true total geothermal energy potential of the region is unknown. The development of the geothermal resources of the islands is dependent, both practically and economically, on the uses that the energy can be directed to and the location of the resources relative to the power-load centers of the various islands. Since population centers are commonly located in the safest volcanic risk zones, local geothermal energy is frequently impracticable and expensive to use. Joint UNDP/World Bank Energy Sector assessment programs have been completed for several southwest Pacific islands. Although geothermal energy is mentioned in these reports as a possible local energy resource, the lack of knowledge of the sizes of these resources makes it difficult to assess the role of geothermal energy in developing the region. Such an assessment could only be made with a full scientific reconnaissance and investigation programmore » of the resources. Geothermal resources of the region, possible strategies for developing and using them, and potential problems are discussed.« less
Publication Year: 1986
Publication Date: 1986-07-01
Language: en
Type: article
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