Mapping of Optimal Locations for the Installation of Solar Power Plants to Support the Transition of the Energy Matrix in the Galapagos Islands
摘要
The energy demand in the Galapagos islands is mainly covered by thermal diesel-based plants (currently close to 25 MW of installed power) and with less than 10% of the demand covered by solar generation despite the fact of being located in a privileged area for this resource in the equatorial region. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the current and projected energy demand until 2050 in the Galapagos Islands. Based on this information, this paper proposes a methodology that combines several factors based on a multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) method to determine the most suitable locations for the expected power plants (mainly focused on PV farms) to be installed in the upcoming years within the territory of the main islands (Baltra-Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Floreana, and Isabela). The results show that of around 72.85 MW of PV generation should be installed on the islands to cover the energy demand by 2050 with an equivalent area of around 102.30 ha.