RENEWABLE ENERGIES AND INNOVATION FOR THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT, WINDS OF HOPE IN SAN NICOLAS, ESTELÍ, NICARAGUA

Abstract

The energy problem caused by the use of fossil fuel is global. However, the solutions with renewable energy alternatives are local, having repercussions in the territories, the population, the resources and the economy. Therefore, local initiatives must be included; also social, economic and productive actors must be involved in the decisions. The analysis in this paper starts from the revaluation of the wind as an energy resource in the municipality of San Nicolás in Estelí, with a potential available to be used in the generation of electric power. The challenge is to analyze a proposal for social innovation for the municipality, which introduces a new organization of the energy management and leads to a territorial development. It is considered as an innovative means the organization of a cooperative that involves key actors that achieve: social agreement, socio-institutional cooperation, private investment for the installation of wind turbines to distributed generation and social benefits in education, health, IT and mitigation of the environmental impact. This analysis is a reflection from the development of the first phase of the research project “Development of a wind system to provide electric power and its impact on the sustainable human development in Las Segovias region”.

Keywords: renewable energy, innovation, territorial development.