New energy on Tenerife is a key challenge for expanding the existing energy mix.
The island must tackle every challenge related to energy production. It needs to strike a balance between the growing demand for electricity and the protection of its fragile, natural environment. As an isolated island without direct access to continental energy resources, Tenerife relies on a combination of traditional and renewable energy sources.
Ecological energy
Tenerife’s energy mix includes conventional methods such as thermal energy generated from fossil fuels, but also a rapidly growing share of renewable sources like solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal energy. Additionally, there is a renewed focus on innovations such as energy storage, hydropower, and the potential of ocean energy.
Through the implementation of ambitious sustainability goals and projects, Tenerife is not only striving to reduce its ecological footprint but also aiming to set an example for other island regions worldwide.
Hidden Energy
The Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (INVOLCAN) shared a fascinating insight into the energy released by volcanoes and its relationship with earthquakes on Tenerife. While earthquakes are often associated with large energy releases, this comparison highlights a surprising fact: the emission of volcanic gases from the crater of Mount Teide generates 16.4 times more thermal energy than the energy from all earthquakes recorded on Tenerife over the past 20 years.
INVOLCAN compared two types of energy present in Tenerife’s volcanic and tectonic activity, expressed in joules (J), the standard unit of energy in the International System.
Two Forms of Energy
Thermal Energy
This comes from the hot gases emitted by the crater of Mount Teide. These gases transport heat from the Earth’s depths to the atmosphere.
Energy released over 20 years: 7,930 trillion joules (7.93 x 10¹⁵ J).
Elastic Energy
This is associated with earthquakes. When tectonic plates move, stored energy is released in the form of seismic waves.
Energy released over 20 years: 483 trillion joules (4.83 x 10¹⁴ J).
Monitoring
The comparison shows that between 2005 and 2024, the thermal energy emitted by the volcanic gases of Mount Teide was 16.4 times greater than the energy released by all earthquakes on Tenerife during the same period. This indicates that the volcano releases much more “silent” energy, or thermal energy, than the elastic energy we detect through earthquakes.
Volcanic gases offer a direct window into what happens beneath a volcano’s surface. Their constant emission releases stored energy and provides insight into the state of magma at greater depths. By monitoring these gases, scientists can identify potential changes in the volcanic system’s behavior, which is crucial for predicting eruptions.
And the Earthquakes?
Although earthquakes are less energetic in this context, they remain essential for understanding volcanic activity. The elastic energy released during earthquakes can signal magma movement or stress within the Earth’s crust. However, this study shows that earthquakes are neither the sole nor the most significant indicator of volcanic activity on Tenerife.
Guy Devos © Photography
New Energy on Tenerife ©
More NEWS can be read [HERE].
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