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http://www.koacountry1077.com/episode/ge...l-venture/
Podcast of interviews that Sherry Bracken did last Sunday.
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Dr. Don Thomas of UH Hilo has been studying both water and geothermal resources since the 1970s; Mike Kaleikini is with Puna Geothermal Ventures (now closed because of lava). We learn about geothermal power and more about PGV and their operation and future plans in the first of a two-part discussion.
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I was surprised at how Sherry handled the interview, knowing how she has come across as anti-PGV in the past. This was quite informative and has some really good explanations of H2S and SO2.
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That was a good interview - maybe the best summary introduction to geothermal / PGV so far. Listening to Sherri ask her "innocent" but conveniently pointed questions is quite entertaining. Look forward to part 2 next week - thanks for sharing!
I do have to question one thing Dr Thomas said though - "when we look at the chemistry of the fluids we don't find high levels of toxic elements like arsenic or boron or ammonia in Hawaii's geothermal fluids because the rocks are not rich in those elements. ... Geyer's geothermal fields ... there is mercury, lead that has contaminated the streams..."
However, in the analysis of PGV brine arsenic (Ar) has been over 2000 ppm, and mercury (Hg) has been around 2 ppm, which is way higher than the Geyer's Geothermal field values of 0.2 ppm for arsenic and 0.005 ppm for mercury. PGV's brine does have Lead (Pb) as well, up over 4%, but I don't have numbers for boron or ammonia to compare which may be what he was trying to highlight? I'm sure
someone can clarify this point hopefully.
PGV Brine Analysis (Table 1):
http://pubs.geothermal-library.org/lib/grc/1028353.pdf
Geothermal Energy (Table 8.1 Contaminant concentrations)
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/00...33254e.pdf
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So the state of Hawaii is now the sole regulator of geothermal areas, and the county is potentially asking for $189 million from the state to purchase all properties in the impacted area and lava zone 1 (including Leilani & Lani Puna), and PGV is able to be up and running in 18 months. It doesn't take a genius to connect these dots ... Pele's Defense Fund better have their hiking boots ready as the state's long time dream of large scale geothermal is in the making.
I hope they give you a good price Leilanidude as your land looks to be the next offering of support you'll be making for PGV.
or not?
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I just heard from what I consider a reliable source, she has a family member working there.....geothermal has just started a new and larger facility in Hamakua mauka. I find it hard to believe, anyone else get wind of this?
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Does she mean Ha Honua Biomass? It's up that way (far from any geothermal resources)
http://huhonua.com/
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I hope they give you a good price Leilanidude as your land looks to be the next offering of support you'll be making for PGV.
or not?
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As much as I love the property I have, if the offer is good, I will take it. It is all money in the bank. Can always buy something else.
I honestly do not think that it will take 18 months to get them back up and running - my guess would be less than 6 months after the lava river has cooled enough to forge a quick road in and set some new transmission lines. I hope they get running quickly as HELCO is having some large amounts of diesel being in to power the generating capacity they lost.
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HELCO is having some large amounts of diesel
But that's totally OK, because burning diesel doesn't desecrate the land!
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Leilanidude - As much as I love the property I have, if the offer is good, I will take it. It is all money in the bank. Can always buy something else.
In condemnation proceedings you don't have the choice to take it or leave it. They only have to give you fair value (which they get to assess) when they take the land. I'm thinking lawyers are the main lobbyists for this plan as it will be greenest litigation pastures ever. Legal regulators, mount up!
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honestly do not think that it will take 18 months to get them back up and running
Yes, I would be very surprised if it happens that quickly.
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Me too! But then again, they aren't part of the government. But they could be delayed by the government's inaction.
I wish them all the best and I hope they can expand their operations.
