I had an interesting time touring the Puna Geothermal Venture facility today. It was fascinating to be driven around the plant and see how electricity is generated from geothermal. In addition, the tour partially addressed my concerns about geothermal energy.
PGV’s well’s are producing more brine than steam (75% brine versus 25% steam). The latter has been one of my concerns for years. However, I found out the current facility can be converted to produce electricity from brine instead of steam if need be. In addition, PGV has reached an agreement with HELCO to produce an additional 8MW of electricity. This additional electricity will be generated by reusing the brine byproduct from the existing stream generation process. PGV is planning to start construction on the plant expansion by next month.
PGV’s reliability issues was the other concern I have about this resource. However, the latter can’t be totally addressed by simply going on a tour of the facility. These well obstructions have occurred underground beyond where we can see. Nevertheless, they recently resolved this issue by drilling a new well.
Road and Highway Builders LLC continues to make progress reconstructing Saddle Road between m.m 11 and m.m 19. The roadway grading between m.m 16 and m.m 19 is almost complete. In addition, they’ve started grading as far as m.m 14.
RHB is planning to start paving the first 2-3 miles of this new roadway in early August.
Lastly, John at Kona – a pedestrian view recent posting about Hawaii County Council District seven candidate Enock Freire raised several valid questions. I’m adding another red flag about this individual. It seems Mr. Freire is connected to the Tea Party movement.
July 24th, 2010 at 6:31 AM
Aloha Aaron! Thank you for the unbiased review of the geo thermal facility. I have heard that it could supply power for the entire island? Are they doing any drilling on Hualalai? What about distribution challenges from the Puna based plant?
To me this is where your “voice” excels…you have the best interests of Hawaii Island at heart…you have a slightly skeptical approach to what people claim and you do some of your own investigative reporting to verify what you are being told….
I feel if I am hearing it from you I can trust the information…
July 24th, 2010 at 10:15 PM
Glad you got to see first hand what we have been working with for the last 15 years:
Looking forward to your pictures.
July 24th, 2010 at 10:24 PM
Damon,
Your comment makes it sound like PGV is a bad thing. I have to disagree if you feel that way. They run a very clean facility as far as I could see.
I wasn’t able to take photographs of the plant per company policy.
July 26th, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Aaron….just wanted to clarify that we do not have an expansion agreement with HELCO yet…….we are still in negotiation but hope to have an agreement soon.
There are photo’s at our website.
July 26th, 2010 at 6:50 PM
Aaron -
Nope… I believe it’s a great thing… and I myself am proud that I live so close to it!
Now Mike… wheres that job
Teasing Uncle!