Geothermal Energy Potential. Hawaii Energy Policy Forum HCEI Briefing & Policy Dialogue March 30, 2011

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1 Geothermal Energy Potential Hawaii Energy Policy Forum HCEI Briefing & Policy Dialogue March 30, 2011

2 Potential significant contribution to clean energy future Hawaii Island Already important 13-18% of electricity distributed by HELCO is geothermal Additional large untapped potential Geothermal 17% Diesel Fuel oil Naptha Maui Untapped potential Statewide Could be significant If islands grids were connected HELCO electricity distributed in 2010 Hydro Wind Geothermal Solar 2

3 Resource data have not been updated Research from 30+ years ago U.H., USGS & other researchers Not comprehensive in all areas with potential Exploration technologies have advanced Summarized in Assessment of Energy Reserves & Costs of Geothermal Resources In Hawaii 2005 report to DBEDT by GeothermEx, Inc. 3

4 HCEI assumes increased geothermal generation Assumes conservative 102 MW To be used on island where it s produced Big Island: 60 MW (currently permitted) Maui: 42 MW assumed (30% of its mean capacity) Meeting HCEI goals will assure that greenhouse gas goals are also met Geothermal emits essentially 0 greenhouse gases Displaces CO2 from fossil fuel power plants Presently, geothermal is reduced at night 30 MW capacity not fully used Possible solution: load shifting; increase off peak demand 4

5 HELCO s generation portfolio 5

6 Estimated Geothermal Reserves in Hawaii Rift Zone Minimum Capacity (MW) Mean Capacity (MW) Lower Kilauea E Rift Upper Kilauea E Rift 110 Does not mean a reservoir can be 339 Lower Kilauea SW Rift 64 economically or 193 Upper Kilauea SW Rift 68 responsibly 201 developed! Mauna Loa SW Rift Mauna Loa NE Rift 22 Reserves = 75 Hualalai 7 recoverable heat 25 anticipated to be Hawaii Island subtotal 488 present at drillable 1396 Haleakala SW Rift 20 depths. 69 Haleakala E Rift Maui subtotal Other islands State total Source: GeothermEx

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9 Estimated costs of new geothermal electricity Calculated to be appx. $0.08 / kwh from a new 30-MW plant (in 2005) Assumptions Capital costs $2500-$5000 / installed kw O&M costs $0.04-$0.06 / kwh Initial drilling costs $4 million - $9 million / well Source: GeothermEx, 2005 How would new geothermal be financed? Possible role for public funds in resource assessment E.g., ARRA is supporting Maui exploration Drilling, power plant development: private investment PPA needed with utility 9

10 Challenges to geothermal expansion Market Presently limited to single island grid Interisland cable? Presently limited by lack of off-peak demand Develop alternative markets? o Liquid fuel: ammonia, hydrogen o Direct use of heat o Electric vehicles Competitive bid needed (utility RFP) If > 3 MW on Maui, Hawaii Knowledge of resource Exploration outside of KERZ minimal 10

11 More challenges to geothermal expansion Regulatory / permitting issues New / expanded subzones? County geothermal resource permits Conservation district use permits Environmental studies Mining leases, surface leases Clean air permits Well / injection well permits Public acceptance Health, environment, culture Controversial in past 11

12 Other work of interest: Downhole Heat Exchanger test At Malama Ki well, Puna Q: Can useful heat be extracted for ag & similar purposes from the warm subsurface water? A: Flow is fairly high, but warm water layer is too thin Work done by Oregon Institute of Technology,

13 Other work of interest: Direct (non-electric) Use Community Geothermal Technology Program, Small grants to entrepreneurs through DBEDT / HNEI / USDOE Demonstrations used geothermal steam or heat, including: Fruit drying Lumber drying Cloth dyeing Greenhouse heating Feasibility Study of Geothermal Direct Use, 2007 County of Hawaii R&D contract, USDOE funding Potentially viable enterprises Greenhouses Pasteurization of potting media Biodiesel production Lumber kilns 13

14 Geothermal is an important part of renewable portfolio Geothermal energy is significant now on Big Island Cost is competitive Less than imported oil Less than many other renewables Additional geothermal can be developed Reserves on Hawaii, Maui However, exactly how much & where is unknown Alternative markets could play a role Liquid fuel Electric vehicles Direct use of heat 14

15 Mahalo Andrea T. Gill Renewable Energy Specialist State Energy Office 15

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