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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0825.002 2010-2012 A LL.1_? P/ wESc 7 ��^_ r..'a LO: 12 O-Yr 1-n. 326 Nalik gip. t Life of the Land's Wayfinding: Navigating Hawai ' is Energy Future Henry Curtis (June 2012) Life of the Land's Wayfinding: Navigating Hawai'i's Energy Future p. 1 O• Z5- Comm. Ni). b Ref. To: tirtrwas6, Ref. Date SEP 1 8 2012 So , i1 . i e CHAPTER 9. HAWAIs I ISLAND • '-°- . .......,....—.. Hawaili .., •,..... • 1., ,1„/" . Mow*a .........•......,........-..1 --....- , "•••••,. .i"..• „.... .,'—..------.....,,.... Ns..ilri"\)„,.. ■ A. ..,.._ sVe..... r ' AkOra ha Warw. I. -74mtv- ,..„ _. • ■ •,,,. 1.,tsolu.Konts 'eSs&sours. ;,' ,.,•-;•;-,i,.4, -:: sionsessarj .., .4...... .- . 0-0vOLeA-•talitiN ts / .- " - ''N COV 4s \ ,r t C ' :•.,.. --.... •-,!...z.--- -•—-- -- .' ..... ...,......4....rarrrzr..r., r. ,. ,.ftli. ■ T.:T I 0:A , . .. f - i i 04P•'... ' 41.•-.' tt ., Wro V..r...• ,t ,,-.1,, \ • • ........,.... .g, .„ •-.... , 4•• • ....,... • ........_......„,_ . .. . . „ . Island of Hawai' i208 . 208 http://1.bp.blogspot.com/- SbwVBVPBP7M/Taob2_iuWSI/AAAAAAAAADk/tNyDMdL7SRA/s1600/Hawaii_map_°/02528The_Big_Islan dWo 2529.j pg Life of the Land's Wayfinding:Navigating Hawaisi's Energy Future p. 78 • Hawai`i Island Hawai i Island ("The Big Island") is a volcanic island at the eastern-most and southern-most point in the chain of Hawaiian islands. The island is ninety-three miles across and has a land area of 4,028 square miles, comprising 62% of the Hawaiian Islands' total land area, and is the largest island in the United States. In 2010, the Big Island had a population of 185,000. Measured from its sea floor base to its highest peak, Mauna Kea, it is the world's tallest mountain, taller than Mount Everest. The island has five shield volcanoes: Kohala (extinct), Mauna Kea (dormant), Hualalai (active but not currently erupting), Mauna Loa (active) and Kilauea (erupting continuously since 1983).209 The island of Hawai`i has a wide variety of abundant renewable resources including solar, wind, and geothermal The first choice should be installing solar water heaters. Geothermal can serve as the continuous baseload renewable energy resource. Existing and Potential Energy Sources210 Source 2005 (M kWh/yr.) Theoretical Technical Potential Potential Petroleum 950 _ Geothermal 221 11,618 _ 7,124 _ Hydropower 40 Wind 7 2,031,000 41,000 Solar PV 1 9,239,000 1,359 26,035 719 Total 1219 11,308,000 50,288 Baseload Energy - Geothermal Hamakua Energy Partners (HEP) is a naphtha-fueled 60 MW combined cycle power plant located in Honoka'a. HEP, the existing geothermal facility in Puna, and new geothermal facilities could provide all of the baseload power needed on the island. 2°9 htto://en.wikioedia.org/wiki/Hawaii (island) 210 Ibid. Hawaii County Electricity Production by Fuel Type, 2005 (Table 2.1, p. 30); Renewable Resource Theoretical and Technical Potential (Table 3.1, p. 48); Theoretical potential: every scrap of land on the island would be used solely to produce energy (leaving no room for homes or businesses). Technical potential includes restrictions based on land use and other feasibility issues, but excludes cost considerations. Life of the Land's Wayfinding:Navigating Hawai'i's Energy Future p. 79 Geothermal Zones211 Area I Description/Location Resource (For this report, we have considered the 10th percentile MW value to be a minimum; there is a 90% probability that geothermal energy reserves will exceed this level for the area being evaluated.) Hualalai Approx. 5-mile section of The calculated 10th percentile value of the northwestern rift zone reserves is 7 MW, and the mean value of the volcano, at an is 25 MW. average elevation of about 5,200 feet. Kilauea East 32 miles from the summit The calculated reserves within the Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano to the entire KERZ have a 10th percentile (KERZ) sea value of approximately 291 MW and a mean value of approximately 778 MW. For the lower KERZ (excluding areas within the national park and existing or planned forest reserves), these values are 181 MW and 438 MW, respectively. Kilauea Approx. 21 miles long The 10th percentile value of recoverable Southwest energy reserves is estimated to be 133 Rift Zone MW, with a mean value of 393 MW. The corresponding values for the lower portion of the rift (excluding areas within the national park) are 64 MW and 193 MW, respectively. Mauna Loa Approx. 11.5 miles long. The calculated 10th percentile value of Southwest The average elevation reserves is 35 MW, and the mean value Rift Zone along this part of the rift is is 125 MW. about 4,600 feet, resulting in an estimated range of average reservoir thickness from 2,400 feet to 5,400 feet. Mauna Loa 8.5-mile portion of the The calculated 10th percentile value of Northeast upper rift. The average reserves is 22 MW, and the mean value Rift Zone elevation in this zone is is 75 MW. about 5,400 feet. 211 Assessment of Energy Reserves and Costs of Geothermal Resources in Hawaii (2005). Submitted by GeothermEx, Inc. for DBEDT. http://maui-tomorrow.org/pdf/geothermal-assessment-05.pdf; See also http://kealohaenergy.kealohaestate.com/wp- content/uploads/2011/11/KERZ_Map_Hawaii_Island.jpg Life of the Land's Wayfinding: Navigating Hawaii's Energy Future p. 80 i if II 1< fit ! tip. • HAWAII rr i /i , 71 rr( Geothermal power can be developed on the mainland at 5-10 cents/kWhr. Even allowing for higher costs in Hawai' i, geothermal power on the Big Island can be developed at below 15 cents/kWhr. New plants with a combined capacity of 50-75 MW should be built in Hualalai. All other fossil fuel power plants should be decommissioned. Geothermal Imoacts, Resistance to developing geothermal facilities is largely the result of two things: arrogance and the lack of safeguards. In the past, some proponents sought to aggressively campaign for geothermal with little concern for the local population. The initial facilities were open-cycle systems which emitted toxic pollutants into the local community. In the late 1980's opposition to geothermal development became the largest and most protracted energy generation struggle in Hawaii's history. Geothermal research started on the Big Island in 1961, and from 1981-89 a 3 MW pilot project was built and tested. In 1990 this facility was replaced with the 25-30 MW Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) facility. In 2004 the PGV facility was acquired by Ormat Technologies, Inc. The State considered building a 500 MW generator and constructing a Deep Water Cable Project (1982-90), to bring power from the Big Island to 0' ahu. Life of the Land's Wayfinding:Navigating Hawai'i's Energy Future p. 81 • In 1991 PGV had a 31-hour well blowout. According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PGV had nineteen gas releases between 1991 and 1996 and the plant was a significant source of hydrogen sulfide released into the environment. The native Hawaiian community formed the Pele Defense Fund (PDF) which led • community and native Hawaiian opposition to geothermal projects. This group was founded by followers of traditional Hawaiian religious practices, particularly worship of Pele, the volcano goddess. There were many protests of close to 1,000 people, and the PDF filed a series of lawsuits to block development in Wao Kele 0 Puna (1985-2002). PDF was actively supported by numerous environmental, cultural, community and business organizations. According to local blogger Doug Carlson, "In their enthusiasm over geothermal energy's potential, supporters misunderstood or simply were unaware of native Hawaiian cultural and religious sensitivities surrounding geothermal energy. Many Hawaiians came forward to say exploitation of that potential would be an affront to Pele, goddess of fire and protector of the Big Island's volcanoes [] That miscalculation included Hawaiian Electric Company's TV spot in the early '80s shot near the rim of Halemaumau Crater that ended with a giant electric plug being jammed into a giant receptacle planted on the ground. A leader in the Pele Defense Fund movement later[said] the spot's symbolic plunging of a dagger into Pele's breast was the trigger that ramped up opposition to geothermal energy on the island."212 The death knell for the project, however, was that the state had appropriated some $17 million over fifteen years without writing an environmental impact statement (EIS). In January 1991 the U.S. District Court ruled that all federal agencies were prohibited from assisting with the project until a federal EIS was completed.213 The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that although the PDF could not contest the transfer of public ceded lands, it could litigate the extent to which Hawaiians retained rights customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes in Wao Kele 'o Puna. The high court issued a landmark final decision in 2002 which acknowledged that the State Constitution protected Hawaiian cultural rights including traditional access, gathering and hunting214. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) subsequently acquired Wao Kele o Puna rainforest in 2006, and agreed to manage the forest in partnership with the surrounding communities, ensuring that the land will be permanently preserved from development. Geothermal remained on the back burner until the energy price spike of 2008, when, for a variety of reasons, the desire to pursue geothermal resurfaced. HECO proposed an inter-island cable between 0'ahu and Maui that would eventually be 212 Big Island Geothermal Venture Marks 15th Year, Doug Carlson, December 11, 2008. z ttp://hawaiienergyoptions.blogspot,com/2008/12/big-island-geothermal-venture.html Blue Ocean Preservation Society v. Watkins, 754 F.Supp. 1450 (1991). 214 Pele Defense Fund v. Paty, 73 Haw. 578, 837 P.2d 1247 (1992). Life of the Land's Wayfindine: Navigating Hawai'i's Energy Future p. 82 connected to Hawai` i Island. Economists asserted that geothermal could spur economic growth on the Big Island. Renewable energy advocates asserted that geothermal could supply low climate impact, indigenous, renewable baseload electricity. In their haste to support geothermal, business and governmental proponents have argued for streamlining regulations, relaxing environmental and cultural safeguards, and have consistently been shown to change their story depending upon which audience they were addressing. In 2012 a community backlash was ignited. In January, 2012 several bills were introduced at the State Legislature which would exempt geothermal exploration from all environmental and cultural review. These provisions were opposed by environmental and cultural groups, and OHA. However, the bills were strongly endorsed by the Administration, and a Department of Land and Natural Resources representative testified that "Geothermal resources development in Hawaii is a priority.215 Two geothermal bills passed the Legislature. SB 3003 SD1 HD2 was signed into law as Act 97.216 SB 2001 SD1 HD2 CD1 is on the Governor's Desk.217 The State House supported widespread exemptions for geothermal legislation, and the Big Island's Mayor stated his desire to streamline the county permitting process.218 The Mayor brought a team of industry and government people to the Philippines in March 2012 to explore options for expanding geothermal in Puna.219 In April the Governor delivered an attack against the Hawaiian and environmental communities. The Governor stressed the need for geothermal and an inter-island cable, and characterized those opposing his position as being "pseudo- 215 Written testimony of DLNR Chair re SB 3003, heard by the Hawai'i House Committee on Finance, April 3, 2012: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/Testimony/583003_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN 04-03- 12_2_.PDF — 216 The bill differentiates between "geothermal resources exploration" and "geothermal resources development". Designates "geothermal resources exploration" and "geothermal resources development" as permissible uses in all state land use districts and conservation district zones. Repeals geothermal resource subzone provisions under state land use law. (SB3003 HD2) http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/Bills/SB3003_HD2_.HTM 217 It would amends the Hawaii State Planning Act to include promoting the development of indigenous geothermal energy resources that are located on public trust land as a source of firm power. Requires consultation and public input from the Native Hawaiian community and general public when developing projects with public land trust lands. (CD1) http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/Bills/SB2001_CD1_.HTM 218 Geothermal Issue Heats Up Mayor's Community Meeting by Dave Smith, Big Island Now http://bigislandnow.com/2012/03/13/geothermal-dominates-mayors-community-meeting/ 219 Hawaii county delegation exerting to adopt Leyte geothermal technology http://leytesamardaily,net/2012/03/hawaii-county-delegation-exerting-to-adopt-Leyte-geothermal- technology/; http://www.sunstar.com.ph/tacloban/local-news/2012/03/30/hawaii-county-adopt-leyte- geothermal-technology-213973#.T3XXOCzpezA.facebook Life of the Land's Wayfinding: Navigating Hawai'i's Energy Future p. 83 environmentalists" and "six minute Hawaiians." The Governor also favored limiting the ability of opponents to challenge his actions in court.22° In the end the Senate version of the bill was adopted, allowing greater geothermal exploration but without waivers from environmental laws. Many think current proponents of fast-tracking geothermal development are repeating earlier mistakes but expecting different results. Hydropower Hydropower plants have provided power for sugar mills and utilities in Hawaii for many decades, and continue to produce significant amounts of electricity, mostly using "run-of-river" flows without dams. • Hilo Wailuku River Hydroelectric Power Co.: 11 MW, run-of-river; began operation 1993; it is located at the junction of the Wailuku River and the Kaloheahewa Stream. • Hilo Waiau Hydropower: 1.15 MW, run-of-river; began operation 1920, upgraded 1947, penstock refurbished 1998; it is located on the Wailuku River. • Hilo Puueo Hydropower: 2.5 MW, run-of-river, began operation 1910, upgraded 1941 and 2005; it is located on the Wailuku River downstream of the Waiau project. • Umauma: 15 MW potential. The Umauma Stream is located on the Hamakua coast and drains just north of Hakalau. • Kawainui: 6 MW potential. The Kawainui Stream is located on the Hamakua coast south of the Umauma project. Drinking Water Hvdt:g The "Hawaii County Department of Water Supply is using the power of water flowing naturally downhill from its Waikoloa Reservoirs to generate electricity, enough to power its entire Waimea Treatment Plant and sell the excess to the Hawaii Electric Light Co. [] A hydroelectric generator at the plant, designed by Mike Maloney of SOAR Technologies Inc., harvests kinetic energy through a Pelton turbine, intercepting the gravity-fed flow of mauka water. As the turbine spins, the flowing water releases energy to the shaft of an electric generator, creating power in the system. It is expected to consistently generate a maximum of about 40 220 A measured look at Gov. Abercrombie: Who have we got here? by Reed Flickinger, West Hawaii Today http://www.westha wai itoday.com/sections/opinion/columns/measured-look-gov-a bercrombi e-who- have-we-got-here.html Life of the Land's Wayfinding:Navigating Hawaii`s Energy Future p. 84 • Big Island Technical Profile HELCO has a peak load of about 200 MW. Hawai' i island can supply 50-100% of its energy needs with geothermal. Sizable wind and solar opportunities supported by some hydroelectric could meet all of the island's energy needs. About 60% of the HELCO mix should be baseload energy and the rest can be intermittent renewable energy. While the utility states that it wants renewable energy, it has shown great resistance in signing power purchase contracts for baseload renewable energy. Thus expansion of geothermal facilities has not yet occurred. HELCO Generation Units229 are listed below. They should all be decommissioned, starting with the oldest ones. The oldest diesel units produce the most pollution per kWhr. Firm Generating Units Operating Fuel Net Service Date Mode Type Minimum Rating (MW) Shipman 3 & 4 Intermediate MSFO 10 1955-58 Hill (Kanoelehua) 5 & 6 Baseload MSFO 25 1965-74 Puna Baseload MSFO 9 _ 1970 Hill (Kanoelehua) 11, Peaking Diesel 12.5 1962-73 15-17, CT-1 Waimea 12-14 Peaking Diesel 7.5 _ 1970-72 Keahole 21-23 Peaking Diesel 7.5 1983-87 Keahole CT-24 & 5 Intermediate Diesel 23 1989, 2004 Puna CT-3 Intermediate Diesel 7.5 1992 DG Peaking Diesel 4 1997 There are two combined cycle units on the island: HELCO's Keahole Dual Trained Combined Cycle Turbine (CT-4, CT-5 ST-7) and the Hamakua Energy Partners (HEP) combined cycle power plant. 229 HELCO IRP-3 Report 2007-2026 (May 2007) http://www.helcohi.com/vcmcontent/HELCO/RenewableEnergy/IRP/HELCO_IRP3_Report_Final.pdf Life of the Land's Wayfinding: Navigating Hawai'i's Energy Future p. 88