Hawaii Geothermal Energy Bills Aim To Reduce Oil Use, Energy Costs

HONOLULU (AP) — Legislation before Hawaii's governor could expand geothermal energy production across the state.

The pending measures could increase the geothermal output on all islands by amending the Hawaii State Planning Act to encourage development of geothermal energy on state and public trust land.

"I really believe that the consumer should own the resource because it's a mineral," explained Sen. Malama Solomon, who introduced Senate Bills 2001 and 3003.

Solomon, D-Hilo-Honokaa, explained that geothermal energy, unlike wind and solar power, is a firm energy source reliant on ever-present underground heat, rather than intermittent rain and sunshine.

Only a firm energy resource can replace oil consumption, she added. Nevertheless, the state has invested millions in solar energy tax credits, which doesn't create much cost savings because it doesn't reduce the need to import oil.

If Gov. Neil Abercrombie signs the amendments into law, they could help move the state toward its clean energy goal of 70 percent renewable energy use by 2030. Right now, Hawaii is the most oil dependent state in the nation, with only 10 percent of its power coming from clean energy resources.

Currently, a geothermal plant in Puna generates enough power to meet nearly a fifth of Hawaii Island's energy needs.

Energy independence is important for Hawaii, the most geographically isolated state. Hawaii has to pay higher costs to import fuel and, unlike mainland states, can't share power with its neighbors.

"The cost of electricity in the state of Hawaii is the most expensive in the nation," Solomon said. At about $200 a month per household, power bills in Hawaii are about three times higher than the national average.

Solomon also introduced a resolution calling for more transparency from alternative energy companies. If renewable energy plants offered information that met current technological standards, she believes there might not be as much confusion over intermittent and firm alternative energies.

"This new regulatory responsibility will put Public Utilities Commission in better position to make sound recommendations about what works and what doesn't work for Hawaii when it comes to indigenous renewable energy resources," she said.

Abercrombie, who called for more renewable energy options in his own bill package, has until mid-June to decide whether to sign, veto or let the bills become law without his signature.

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Comments

[aligatorhardt]

10:46 AM on 05/18/2012

The constant power source of the geothermal power makes it a good substitute for baseline power. A mix of wind, solar, geothermal and waste to energy could provide all the electricity needed. Wave energy is still new, but they have good waves as well. The resource is waiting for the technology to mature. Good results are being shown in wave power so far. Wave Power to Drive Desalination Off Texas Coast

Aquamarine and Pelamis set sail with new wave energy projects - 19 May 2011 - News from BusinessGreen

[rg9rts]

07:13 AM on 05/10/2012

I'll stick with my comment of " The Iceland of the Pacific"and not br intimidated by the techo crats.~~(^..^)

[CaptRalph]

08:14 PM on 05/09/2012

GeoThermal is a misnomer by most. It's benefit becomes most effective at -5 degrees Celsius. Most of Canada could benefit from GeoThermal except for southern Vancouver Island where it is extremely rare we ever get temperatures that low. I use Thermal (heat pump) and it works really well. GeoThermal would have cost me $20,000 extra for no benefit.
You are talking about Hawaii here, I'll bet it never gets down to -5 Celsius. Now tapping into underground volcanic action might be a different story. But isn't air conditioning more in demand than heat? Be careful with the word GEO Thermal.

[ThinkCreeps]

11:52 PM on 05/09/2012

That's a ground-loop-source heat pump. This is using hot lava rock to boil water.

[Darkingz]

01:13 AM on 05/10/2012

Hawaii isn't using the geothermal energy to create heat... its to generate electricity.

[mamacat]

07:21 PM on 05/09/2012

Volcanic islands, sitting in the tropics, with lots of available water from the hundreds of inches of rainfall. What in the world has been taking them so long to develop this resource?

Iceland developed geothermal decades ago, so what has Hawaii been doing in the meantime?

[ThinkCreeps]

12:06 AM on 05/10/2012

What have they been doing?

Burning cheap oil, and now oil's not cheap anymore.

[Darkingz]

01:21 AM on 05/10/2012

I can somewhat answer that, since i live in hawaii... The geothermal idea has been pushed around but the biggest problem is the corrosion of the pipes. It requires a lot of water and so they pump it in from the ocean (we don't receive enough fresh water to use it instead). I'm not an expert on the amount of rainfall the state receives but seems a bit high estimate. Yes, we do recognize the dependence on oil but have been unable to mitigate it. If you want, I can go into details but don't condemn us because of it.

[Cheapfoody]

06:43 PM on 05/09/2012

Geothermal makes sense for Hawaii as well as deep water hydro-turbines that pull energy from the ocean currents. The energy can be converted into electricity very easily. The bigger issue is distribution of the power.

Don't dismiss Wind or Solar either. When all said - Hawaii truly could be 100% energy independent. Excess power can be converted to hydrogen and burned to store and create energy as well as clean fresh water.

[doubleB]

06:37 PM on 05/09/2012

It's just a matter of time before we catch on to this power source... we've got thousands of times over what we need right under our feet, let alone a place like Hawaii that's on top of a volcanic hotspot. It's renewable, non-intermittent, and cheap compared to the others.

[ThinkCreeps]

11:53 PM on 05/09/2012

Not much of the water you put in comes back out. And it's corrosive. It needs to be done carefully, or it all falls to bits.

[doubleB]

12:26 AM on 05/10/2012

Closed loop systems don't lose any significant amount of water, unless there's a leak. And you don't have to worry so much about the corrosion.

A new breakthrough uses CO2 instead of water, killing 2 birds with 1 stone:
http://www.fastcoexist.com/1678114/best-of-both-worlds-geothermal-energy-that-sucks-co2-from-the-atmosphere