Geothermal - Personas & Road Map of Development

[ironyak]

At the risk of adding another Geothermal channel to the punaweb lineup, wanted to share a couple unique sources of related information.

Hot Rocks in Hawai'i
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/20...awaii.html
A particularly good news article focusing on the various public personas involved with Geothermal in Hawai'i. For those that like to sling mud, there is dirt. For others, may help provide some context for names such as Robert Petricci, Tom Travis, PPA, Mike Kaleikini, Gary Gill, Don Thomas, Mililani Trask, Chris Lee, IDF, Palikapu Dedman, PDF, and more.


Hawai'i Geothermal Assessment and Roadmap - Jan 2013
http://www.hnei.hawaii.edu/sites/dev.hne...202013.pdf (2.2meg)

If there is a single must-read geothermal document, this is it IMO. Provides summaries of interviews from many stakeholders such geothermal landowners, investment firms, industry, and county, state & federal government, on how to expand geothermal development in Hawai'i.

Note this is not a pro/con or cost-benefit analysis of geothermal - it is a clearly stated endorsement from all parties and a road map for island-wide development and inter-island distribution of electricity from geothermal. Everything from the Geothermal Asset Fund, removal of subzone and EIS restrictions, resident health studies, HELCO's stalled 50MW RFP, and Governor Ige's choice for Attorney General and Public Utilities Commission chair, are clear stops along this road map developed for us.

While I will excerpt some passages of interest, a complete read is worth the time. Geothermal development will be a central issue for all us in the years to come IMHO.

EDIT: typos

[ironyak]

Hawai'i Geothermal Assessment and Roadmap - Jan 2013
http://www.hnei.hawaii.edu/sites/dev.hne...202013.pdf

Some brief highlights:
"DLNR has retained a consultant, GeothermEx, Inc., to review DLNR’s administrative rules and recommend program improvements, if any, to simplify/streamline current permitting processes while maintaining appropriate oversight and regulation of geothermal development activities."

Department of Health - "Clean Air has no real need for EPA involvement... Any public hearing is discretionary on the part of DOH."

Hawai'i County Dept of Planning - "There is an open question as to whether and in what timeframe geothermal energy would lead to lower costs."

HELCO - "People think it can be developed for $0.10/kWh or less, but that is unlikely to be the case."

"PGV estimates that 100-200 MW of geothermal would be possible on its current leased land parcel."

"At present Ormat is helping the state and county [Maui] figure out the processes for mining leases, permitting, and other requirements."

Avalor Energy - "A lower royalty structure (<10%) is needed to lower the ultimate cost for the consumer."

Innovations Development Group - "IDG stressed that the resources in Hawaii, like in NZ, are connected to the host culture. The state has some 1.2 million acres of ceded lands. The [inventory] bill would require the state to inventory its ceded lands, starting by looking at acres with potential for energy assets such as geothermal, OTEC, tide, wave — and also perhaps wind and sun. IDG supports such an inventory."

Kapoho Land Partnership - "KLP did mention that ownership of the resource is still an unresolved issue from a legal perspective. While some of the attorneys with the State may postulate that the Trust Doctrine applies to geothermal resources, the courts have not yet reviewed this theory."

[kalakoa]

inter-island distribution of electricity

Assuming the technical issues can be solved, I question HECO's ability to operate an inter-island "grid" safely -- the phrase "pole and cable tree-catching system" comes to mind.

This is what south Puna looks like to the rest of the state

All the outer islands are merely resources to be exploited for the good of Oahu, which doesn't want unsightly windmills or stinky geothermal plants -- instead, they get a shiny new 20-mile rail line that won't go anywhere useful until deveopment happens along its length. Not only is this a huge giveaway to the incumbent landowners who suddenly have "rail frontage", it's also being built across vast agricultural acreage, which translates into more imported food or less ag product export once it's covered with condos and shops, which will be arranged in exactly the "mixed-use" development that's seemingly forbidden elsewhere.

I think the geothermal plant will end up being the least of our problems.

[Frank]

mahalo Ironyak

[Guest]

Thank you Ironyak. Appreciate your time and energy backed with good links, Facts, and info.

[ironyak]

One of the most interesting issues I noticed in reading the Geothermal Road Map is that residents are not listed as stakeholders in the geothermal development process.

Perhaps some direct input is justified given that residents are:
- Customers with an interest in lowering electricity rates
- Owners with an interest in property values, both positive and negative, from the operation of geothermal plants
- Community members with an interest in potential health impacts as well as community benefit packages (e.g. Geothermal Asset Fund)

While "Communications, Education, and Outreach" are recommended (pg 62), the actions are one-way and do not involve gathering any information from residents and communities. The "Community Dialogue" apparently is limited to "benefits that accrue to communities from geothermal." Apparently there is nothing else to discuss?

[ironyak]

Originally posted by pahoated
The next geothermal plant will provide many benefits to the district it goes into.

Alright, I'll bite - what are the many benefits from the next geothermal plant?

[ckg]

quote:

---

Originally posted by kalakoa

inter-island distribution of electricity

Assuming the technical issues can be solved, I question HECO's ability to operate an inter-island "grid" safely -- the phrase "pole and cable tree-catching system" comes to mind.

This is what south Puna looks like to the rest of the state

All the outer islands are merely resources to be exploited for the good of Oahu, which doesn't want unsightly windmills or stinky geothermal plants -- instead, they get a shiny new 20-mile rail line that won't go anywhere useful until deveopment happens along its length. Not only is this a huge giveaway to the incumbent landowners who suddenly have "rail frontage", it's also being built across vast agricultural acreage, which translates into more imported food or less ag product export once it's covered with condos and shops, which will be arranged in exactly the "mixed-use" development that's seemingly forbidden elsewhere.

I think the geothermal plant will end up being the least of our problems.

---

Bingo! Oh wait that pesky industry and job diversification can also stay on Oahu as well. Hub and spoke baby!

[kalakoa]

that pesky industry and job diversification can also stay on Oahu

Already does, and County seems to be doing their part to keep it that way.