Abstract
This manuscript presents an integral evaluation of the use of wind and solar resources in the Colombian Caribbean region. For the use of solar and wind energy sources, spatial restrictions according to topography, natural parks, water reserves, indigenous and sacred reserves were taken into account. In addition, studies of the energy potential of wind and solar radiation were carried out through geostatistical analysis of different points in meteorological stations located in the region. Finally, areas with wind and solar potential were determined using the Geographic Information System for Renewable Energies (SIGER). The results show that the department of Guajira has the highest values of solar brightness (229-240 Month day), while the departments of Valledupar, Cesar, and part of Magdalena decrease in the range of 229 to 207 Month day. In terms of solar radiation, the departments of Guajira and Atlántico showed global solar radiation values of up to 6,015 W/m2. The departments of Cesar, Magdalena, and part of Bolivar showed values close to 5,259 W/m2; while Sucre, and Cordoba showed low solar radiation values of 4,502 W/m2. It is concluded that the departments of Atlántico and Guajira are excellent candidates for solar and wind energy projects due to their characteristics. The results of this manuscript are a fundamental basis for future technical-economic feasibility studies of renewable energy in the Colombian Caribbean region. In addition, it allows the elaboration of energy policies that encourage the execution of this type of study at a real level.Keywords: SIGER, renewable energies, solar energy, wind energy, wind potentialJEL Classification: Q42DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.11612
Highlights
Worldwide, dependence on fossil fuels, which are not infinite, contributes to global pollution, generating a significant increase in climate change (Fairbrother et al, 2019)
These layers were created using a geographic information system and can be classified into three main groups: a first group containing reference files such as cartography, political division, access roads, etc.; a second group containing shapes that allow the identification of energy potential, such as wind speed measurements; and a third group containing restrictions to the development of energy projects, such as the presence of indigenous reserves
Solar Potential of the Caribbean Region The evaluation of the solar potential in the Caribbean region is of great importance since it allows determining the availability of solar radiation necessary for feasibility studies in renewable energy projects
Summary
Dependence on fossil fuels, which are not infinite, contributes to global pollution, generating a significant increase in climate change (Fairbrother et al, 2019). In South American countries, governments have been working hard to implement government policies that encourage the use of renewable energies. In this sense, the United States has the highest density of renewable energy policies, followed by Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina (Pischke et al, 2019). There has been a trend towards the implementation of RES, as in the case of the United State, which is approaching China in the race to be the main investor in renewable energies, with a 57% jump in its expenditure
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