80% Geo-thermal will go to Oahu via u/w cables!

[whalesong]

Out of all the islands, the cost of electricity is the highest on the island of Hawaii, according to the report on the new report last night. If your not outraged, you are not paying ATTENTION.

Electricity from volcanoes would not only reduce oil dependency and hence the state's vulnerability to outside forces, it would also play a small but positive part in slowing CO2 buildup from fossil fuels and the accompanying global warming. (Unchecked, this warming could result in the inundation of Hawaii's famed coastline, where most of its people live.) So an ambitious initiative is now under way to develop a series of geothermal stations on the Big Island to produce some 500 megawatts of electricity, much of which would be exported via an undersea cable to the island of Oahu, where 80% of the state's people live.

The drilling is not difficult by today's standards. Geothermal technology is proven, as power plants in Italy, Iceland, California, New Zealand and other places have shown. Indeed, a test plant on the Big Island built for experimental purposes worked well enough to be successfully hooked into the island's power grid over a period of several years. So, from the perspective of the engineers and the planners sitting in Honolulu offices, geothermal is definitely part of the solution.[}]
Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-co...z1xzf1K100

World's Top 10 Generators of Clean Energy
With Rio 20+, the latest United Nations organized Earth Summit, less than a week away, the Natural Resources Defense Council has released a scorecard ranking the G20 nations and their commitment to clean energy development.
It comes as no surprise that G20 countries lead the world in renewable energy investment. Since 2004, investment in clean energy from G20 countries has grown by nearly 600%, while electricity produced from solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, and wave power has tripled.

Nevertheless, the NRDC says an even greater commitment to clean energy is required, given that clean energy currently only accounts for 2.6% of the G20's electricity production. This number is expected to increase to 6% by 2020 -- which is not nearly enough to meet the demands of climate scientists. The NRDC recommends G20 nations seize the opportunity of Rio 20+ to enhance their commitment to clean energy.
Here is a list of the G20's top 10 producers of clean energy in 2011 -- in terms of total percentage of renewable energy in the nation's electricity generation mix.
1. Germany -- 10.7%
2. European Union (as a whole) -- 6.7%
3. Italy -- 6.2%
4. Indonesia -- 5.7%
5. United Kingdom -- 4.2%
6. France -- 2.8%
7. United States -- 2.7%
8. Mexico -- 2.6%
9. India -- 2.4%
10. Australia -- 2.0%

http://geobigisland.blogspot.com/2012/06...clean.html

[DanielP]

I cannot imagine that an underwater cable thru those waters and distance would be feasable.

[punaticbychoice]

What are your thoughts and recommendations?
What do you think we need to do here and now given that we know that this is probably going to happen since Oahu wants and needs it?
In other words, where is ours in this scheme?
Other than continuing to be in a "colonial" relationship to Oahu?
We may have to feed them too if the worst happens. (The Big One on the West Coast e.g.) We are not prepared, nor do our State's policies support or encourage such preparedness.
That's not sustainability, that's survival I think.
In a sense, could our interests be in alignment with Oahu if it a question of survival out here in the middle of the Pacific?

[PaulW]

It would be great for the Big Island to have something worth exporting. We just have to be sure the whole island benefits.

[missydog1]

To put this in some perspective, research on the underwater cable transmission has been ongoing since the early 90's. Daniel Inouye was a supporter from the beginning. I have always had the impression that the geothermal development thrust was propelled by the lure of cheap energy for Oahu.

From a 1991 motion in a lawsuit by environmental groups (Blue Ocean Preservation Society, Greenpeace and Sierra Club) against the Federal government:
Link to whole pleading:
http://www.hawaii.edu/ohelo/courtdecisio...an91-1.htm

Excerpt relating to the cable:
" Phase II, the Deep Water Cable Program, was a study of the feasibility of transmitting electricity via a submarine cable system from the Big Island to Maui and Oahu. The federal government provided over $24 million (83% of total cost) for the research, design, construction and routing of an undersea cable. This included not only generic cable development research, but also site- specific route surveys between the islands as well as actual test-laying of cable on site. At-sea tests have been finished and this phase is essentially completed."

[punaticbychoice]

As I said PaulW- where's our benefit?
Where's ours?
KathyH, thank you for your citation and history.
It's important.

[JerryCarr]

There is indeed some momentum for building something of this sort, and the former technical barriers to it are being removed as cable technology changes. The very minimum we should demand for the Big Island is a reduction of our power rates to a parity with Oahu, if not even cheaper, and siting of facilities in such a way as to affect the fewest inhabited areas. Has anybody seen a map of suitable geothermal development areas on this island? We all know about the East Rift of Kilauea, of course, but I have also heard Hualalai mentioned. Other possibilities?

[whalesong]

quote:

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Originally posted by DanielP

I cannot imagine that an underwater cable thru those waters and distance would be feasable.

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Conclusion

The interconnection within the Hawaiian Islands via submarine transmission cables would be ideal for the utilities in Hawaii. With the uncertainty of oil prices and the push for renewable energy generation in Hawaii, the feasibility of an interisland cable system is likely. There are numerous proven examples such as the Neptune Project connecting Long Island Power Authority to New Jersey's Mid-Atlantic grid. While many environmental and technical studies indicate viability, the construction aspect of the project is not a huge undertaking compared to securing financing to fund the project. Although the problem of firming renewable energy generation hasn't been perfected yet, both energy storage and submarine transmission cables can help solve Hawaii's energy problem in the near distant future.
In 2009, Hawaii State Legislature passed HB 1464 that expanded their renewable portfolio standard. Under HB 1464, Hawaii has a strict renewable portfolio standard of 40% of renewable generation by 2030 and 25% by 2020. [5] Hawaii is looking to develop wind farms, solar arrays and geothermal plants in Molokai, Lani and Big Island and deliver up to 400 MW through a submarine transmission cable to help meet the state's goal [4]. Since renewable energy such as solar and wind are an intermittent source, firming its power distribution can make renewable energy an attractive base load. However, energy storage is very expensive, which makes grid parity unlikely until prices come down. Also, efficiencies and life cycle analysis are being researched to ensure that the intermittencies are addressed. Other prospective firm renewable energy like geothermal have great baseload power distribution. Until the energy storage problem is solved, the viability of a submarine transmission cable might have to tackle huge economic and political hurdles.

The magnitude of this project will be hard for Hawaii to finance given the deficit it's facing. Alternate methods of financing may include project financing with an equity sponsor that is typically a non-recourse loan. Other methods may be privatizing the asset while charging a fee for utilities to use the transmission cables. Regardless of which financing option, public funding and investment banks will have to develop a consortium to secure financing to fund this project.
The Neptune Project: and other links of interest.
http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2010/ph240/ho1/

[whalesong]

Here are all the Geo-thermal Wells locations, mapped here and more information on the suject..
http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bit...sequence=1

quote:

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Originally posted by JerryCarr

There is indeed some momentum for building something of this sort, and the former technical barriers to it are being removed as cable technology changes. The very minimum we should demand for the Big Island is a reduction of our power rates to a parity with Oahu, if not even cheaper, and siting of facilities in such a way as to affect the fewest inhabited areas. Has anybody seen a map of suitable geothermal development areas on this island? We all know about the East Rift of Kilauea, of course, but I have also heard Hualalai mentioned. Other possibilities?

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[gramps]

Does the Public Utility Commission have the best interest of citizens at heart?