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Powering the pearl: A study of Cuba's energy autonomy

  • Elizabeth K. Worsham
  • , Genesis D.Vargas Esposito

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Cuba's national pride comes from their projected autonomyas a communist country, although they have been dependent onother countries to supply them with resources since therevolution. However, Cuba has a high capacity for variousforms of renewable energy. This study analyzes the impacts ofCuba's decline in petroleum use and the rise of renewableenergy. There is a lack of primary research on Cuba's energyinfrastructure because of government censorship andavailability of reliable data, so this study utilizes accounts fromCuban citizens as well as first-hand observations of the country.Research was conducted through interviews, observations, andwritten accounts of life in Cuba. The decline of Cuba's use ofpetroleum has led to an emphasis on sustainability, affectingpeople's lifestyles and the economy. The inability to produceenough electricity has created an inequality between those whoare involved in tourist industries and those who are not.However, the dawn of renewable energy is helping to close thatgap while protecting Cuba's energy independence andpreventing another Special Period.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHeat Exchanger Technologies; Plant Performance; Thermal Hydraulics and Computational Fluid Dynamics; Water Management for Power Systems; Student Competition
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791851401
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
EventASME 2018 Power Conference, POWER 2018, collocated with the ASME 2018 12th International Conference on Energy Sustainability and the ASME 2018 Nuclear Forum - Lake Buena Vista, United States
Duration: Jun 24 2018Jun 28 2018

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, Power Division (Publication) POWER
Volume2

Conference

ConferenceASME 2018 Power Conference, POWER 2018, collocated with the ASME 2018 12th International Conference on Energy Sustainability and the ASME 2018 Nuclear Forum
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLake Buena Vista
Period06/24/1806/28/18

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