|
South Point Wind Farm/Electric power
|
12-02-2007, 07:23 AM
What are BI's sources of electrical generation?
Wind farms (wind turbine arrays) are going up all over the mainland. The one at Southpoint seems to be in disrepair. Is it online? Dan
12-02-2007, 07:42 AM
I believe a dozen new turbines were installed at South Point early this year.
Perhaps someone knows more....
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
12-02-2007, 07:44 AM
I was at southpoint over a yr. ago and yes the turbines were mostly in disrepair, pretty pathetic. My question was what does Helco get out of it, big tax rightoff or grants. Most of them in such bad shape they were'nt running.
12-02-2007, 08:00 AM
As of a few months ago, the new wind farm at South Point was up and running. The old one was in its previous state of decrepitude. They should either repair the old one or tear it down since it is an eyesore.
On a related note, my understanding is that alternative power sources such as geothermal and wind are guaranteed the same revenue as HELCO's petroleum powered generators. The rationale being to lure providers into such a remote location with a reputation for being a difficult business environment. Does anybody know if this is a permanent policy? Might we actually be allowed to enjoy lower rates at some point? Cheers, Jerry
12-02-2007, 08:05 AM
There are two wind farms on the island. One in Kohala is operated by Helco; a new one in south Point is private. I do not know if it is on line yet. The old South Point one has been abandoned.
Geothermal produces 20 to 30% of the power used and is expanding. It is controversial. The steam here is "dirty" with a high H2S content. In high enough concentrations H2S is deadly. There is not much solar. IMHO it would not be that difficult for the Big Island to use no fossil fuels. France recently passed a law that states that by 2020 (not sure of the date) all housing construction must be a net energy producer. Jerry Art and Orchids B&B http://www.artandorchids.com
12-02-2007, 09:05 AM
Why was the old one abandoned? Was it that deteriorated or obsolete? It was noisy.
Pua`a S. FL Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL Big Islander to be. 
12-02-2007, 03:08 PM
Hawaii Has a number of alternative energy sources, but only hydropower plants are run directly by HELCO, all others are Independent Power Providers.
Apollo Energy maintained the 37 old Mitsubishi 250kV Wind Farm (total 9.3 mW), The 14 new GE are 1.5mW units (total 21 mW). Currently, petroleum alternative generation provides about 25% of the consummer purchased electricity on island. Kohala Center has done sustainability studies, the reports are at: http://learning.kohalacenter.org/resourc...Report.pdf The Hawaii Wind Working group: http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/wwg/history.html
12-02-2007, 10:25 PM
If the geothermal plant has a H2S problem, that sounds like a fixable technology problem. I certaintly can't say I've smelled anything in the area. There's certainly enough geothermal potential on BI to satisfy almost any possible energy needs.
12-29-2007, 06:44 PM
Yes it does work,and doesn't smell, as the effluent is injected back into the ground, a closed loop system. but even if it does contain So, it goes back to where it came from. Right now the island is 25% alternative and 20 % of that is geothermal. Plus the geo is uninterupted, no still days, droughts or clouds which affect solar and hydro. Yes, geothermal could cover the whole island!
Gordon J Tilley
|
|
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
|
