Summary : Geothermal energy in Hawaii

Abstract

Drilling for geothermal energy in Hawaii started in the early 1960's on the Big Island. Four wells were drilled in the Puna region to depths of several hundred to a thousand feet; all were unsuccessful in locating geothermal steam. In 1973 a fifth hole was drilled near Halemaumau Crater to a depth of 4140 feet. The maximum temperature reached was only 279°F (137°C), but at bottomhole a high rate of temperature increase with depth suggested much higher temperatures at greater depths. The sixth hole was completed in April of 1976. This well, HGP-A, which has the highest recorded temperature of any geothermal well, has raised hopes that in Hawaii geothermal energy might be a viable alternative to fossil fuel energy.