Planning for Geothermal Development in Hawaii

Abstract

In 1976 the University of Hawaii completed a successful exploratory geothermal well on the Big Island of Hawaii. The well has raised hopes for a viable alternate energy source to reduce the State's high dependence on imported petroleum. A Development Group was organized to install a wellhead generator to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing geothermal energy from a volcanically active area. The State is also planning for geothermal development through scenario development, identification of constraints and barriers, resource assessment and non-electric applications.