Assessment of the potential for renewable energy sources in the southern United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5321805

Graves, G B; Bonnet, Jr, J A

A summary is presented of goals, planning, and initial program activities aimed at achieving the 20% solar energy goal in the southern region. Special attention is then given to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands where heavy dependence on imported oil and high energy costs pose a real threat to social, economic, and governmental stability. The point is made that Puerto Rico oil imports represent a very significant portion of the total oil imports for the entire southern region. An assessment of renewable energy choices is then presented for these Caribbean territories, with attention to the potential for OTEC, biomass, photovoltaics, wind, and solar thermal technology. The general conclusion is drawn that prompt action in developing alternative energy sources is essential from the standpoint of both the Caribbean island communities and the United States which should have a strong interest in the long term well-being of the entire Caribbean region.

• Research Organization: Southern Solar Energy Center Planning Project, Atlanta, GA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-79CS30166
• OSTI ID: 5321805
• Report Number(s): SSEC/TP-11173; ON: DE82009564
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140000* -- Solar Energy
17 WIND ENERGY
170100 -- Wind Energy-- Resources & Availability (Climatology)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
299003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation-- Other-- (-1989)
BIOMASS
CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SUBSTITUTION EQUIVALENT
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION II
FORECASTING
GREATER ANTILLES
HEAT
HEATING
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
ISLANDS
LESSER ANTILLES
NORTH AMERICA
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
PLANNING
POWER
POWER SUPPLIES
PROCESS HEAT
PUERTO RICO
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING
SOLAR WATER HEATING
SOUTHEAST REGION
SOUTHWEST REGION
USA
VIRGIN ISLANDS
WATER HEATING
WIND POWER