by Michael Fytikas

On the occasion of the recent serious problem of electrification of the island, which battered the island for several days, I want to remind you a few suggestions that we have done at times.

Energy self-reliance of the islands, along with self-sufficiency in water is obviously very important, coupled with the high cost and the difficulty of guaranteeing their peak season.

Geothermal energy, a mild, renewable and local source is cheap and very environmentally friendly. Geothermal conditions are particularly favorable in Santorini because of the active volcano and increased heat flow and geothermal energy is a clear comparative advantage for the island.

Various regions of the island indeed, following an investigation, it appears that they have underground temperatures beyond the normal. Reasonable is the fact that, aside from the area of the volcano and the caldera on Santorini there are areas where drilling at small depth will detect hot aquifer geothermal fluids which are suitable for power generation. These, closed circuit and stable operation throughout the year could replace petroleum plants currently burning oil with all the problems. With the same fluid can become many energy applications in residential, agricultural and tourism sector (thermal uses) saving fuel and electricity. Geothermal fluids are also applicable to thermal desalination for drinking water .

Finally, the so-called shallow geothermal energy, which exists almost everywhere on the island, can be used for heating and air conditioning of buildings, saving a lot of energy and even at peak periods in the summer, where increased demand for electricity also creates many black outs.

Unfortunately until now has hardly tapped renewable and mild this energy source, nor have seen the true potential of the island, new technologies, techno-economic characteristics, the potential by region and by type of geothermal energy in hunting and Thirasia.

Because of our long-term employment in this discipline, together with the knowledge about geology - volcanology of Santorini island, we could not help on this subject. Geothermal energy will solve many problems and help substantially in the energy sector of the island with its many useful applications that you might have. Then can and must contribute to the solution of several problems of Santorini, in the interest of economy, residents, numerous visitors , entrepreneurs and the environment .

Mr. Michael Fytikas is emeritus professor of geology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki .