Environmental impact of decentralized power generation in Santa Clara City, Cuba: An integrated assessment based on technological and human health risk indicators

At present the worldwide energy market is dominated by fossil fuels, despite that it has been demonstrated to be a major source of environmental problems. In Cuba, about 96% of the power generation comes from fossil fuels, and 26% of this is produced by decentralized power stations (DPSs). DPS technology grew by a factor of six from 2005 to 2010, aiming to increase the efficiency in power generation and distribution, and to reduce the vulnerability on climate events. However, environmental impacts related to this technology, especially those impacts on human health, require a detailed analysis, considering that many DPSs have been located nearby densely populated areas.

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