Geothermal Energy. An Additional Resource for the Energy Transition in Venezuela

Abstract

Today, it is clear and imperative for modern civilization to ensure its proper functioning and evolution. However, the current global energy situation is challenging. More precisely, there is still a global dependence on it in the conventional oil and gas sector despite pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate other environmental problems. Renewable energies are necessary for a sustainable supply to replace current systems based on fossil fuels. In recent decades, studies have indicated that the use of geothermal energy, improving its efficiency, represents one more option to address these challenges and support the energy transition. Geothermal energy is significantly beneficial in direct applications for domestic and commercial heat energy use, as well as for power generation in various power plant configurations. The present work evaluates the geothermal potential of Venezuela of conventional systems and unconventional systems using the volumetric method. Venezuela has excellent geothermal potential, estimated at 500 MW for traditional systems. This potential is concentrated in a geothermal belt from the southwest to the country's northeast.