The potential of Wave Energy Converters in the Galapagos islands

Esteban Meneses; Rafael Soria; Jesús Portilla; Wilson Guachamín-Acero; Ricardo Álvarez; Rubén Paredes; Mijail Arias-Hidalgo

Energy Strategy Reviews (Jul 2024)

The potential of Wave Energy Converters in the Galapagos islands

Esteban Meneses,
Rafael Soria,
Jesús Portilla,
Wilson Guachamín-Acero,
Ricardo Álvarez,
Rubén Paredes,
Mijail Arias-Hidalgo

Affiliations

Esteban Meneses: Institute for Energy and Materials, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, Quito, P.O. Box 170901, Ecuador; ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Faculty of Maritime Engineering and Marine Sciences (FIMCM), Campus Gustavo Galindo - km. 30.5 vía perimetral, Guayaquil, 090112, Ecuador
Rafael Soria: Institute for Energy and Materials, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, Quito, P.O. Box 170901, Ecuador; Corresponding author.
Jesús Portilla: National Polytechnic School, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ladrón de Guevara E11 253, Quito, 17012759, Ecuador
Wilson Guachamín-Acero: National Polytechnic School, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ladrón de Guevara E11 253, Quito, 17012759, Ecuador
Ricardo Álvarez: National Polytechnic School, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ladrón de Guevara E11 253, Quito, 17012759, Ecuador
Rubén Paredes: ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Faculty of Maritime Engineering and Marine Sciences (FIMCM), Campus Gustavo Galindo - km. 30.5 vía perimetral, Guayaquil, 090112, Ecuador
Mijail Arias-Hidalgo: ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Faculty of Geosciences Engineering (FICT), Centre of Water and Sustainable Development (CADS), Campus Gustavo Galindo - km. 30.5 vía perimetral, Guayaquil, 090112, Ecuador

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 54
p. 101457

Abstract

Read online

This study investigates the potential of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) technology in the Galapagos Islands. Despite the region’s high wave energy potential (262 TWh/year of gross potential and 25TWh/year of sustainable potential), the current high cost of WEC technology limits its economic competitiveness compared to mature renewables like solar and wind. Our analysis, using the OSeMOSYS model, reveals that decarbonizing the Galapagos’ power sector with solar and wind is feasible and cost-effective. However, deploying WECs is even more expensive. Initially, WECs have the highest levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) (43 ct.USD/kWh in 2030), but this decreases by 2050, ending up at 26 ct.USD/kWh, a value below the benchmark for fossil thermal power plants without fuel subsidies. Deploying WECs, together with solar and wind technologies may contribute for diversifying the Galapagos’ power system, reducing fossil fuel reliance, and mitigating climate change impacts.

Published in Energy Strategy Reviews

ISSN: 2211-467X (Print); 2211-4688 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Social Sciences: Industries. Land use. Labor: Special industries and trades: Energy industries. Energy policy. Fuel trade
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy-strategy-reviews

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords