Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...

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Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 3.0 Renewable Energy Technology Options Environmental Impacts Dissolved minerals and hazardous non-condensable gases in geothermal fluids can be an environmental concern if not handled correctly (fluid reinjection addresses many concerns). Geothermal power plants with modern emission control technologies have minimal environmental impact. They emit less than 0.2 percent of the carbon dioxide, less than 1 percent of the sulfur dioxide and less than 0.1 percent of the particulates of the cleanest fossil fuel plant. There is the potential for geothermal production to cause ground subsidence. This is rare in dry steam resources, but possible in liquid-dominated fields. However, carefully applied reinjection techniques can effectively mitigate this risk. Kauai Outlook The prospects for geothermal electricity production on Kauai are poor. In 1995 and 1996 the US Geological Survey (USGS) drilled six groundwater monitoring wells near Lihue that ranged from 800 to 1,150 feet in depth. The results from these monitoring stations yielded water temperatures ranging from 24-27ºC (75-80ºF), practically identical to those in non-geothermal regions of Hawaii. 45 To fully assess the island’s geothermal potential, further drilling and investigation would be required. Geothermal resources that might be discovered would likely be more suitable for geothermal heat pumps for building space conditioning and direct heating applications than electricity production. While several of the other Hawaiian Islands have very promising geothermal potential, as the oldest geological island of the archipelago, Kauai has relatively little to no geothermal activity. While all of the Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanic activity that took place deep in the Pacific Ocean along tectonic boundaries, the islands formed in a southeastward direction; making Ni’ihau and Kauai the oldest of the islands. This being the case, any significant geothermal activity on the island ceased millions of years ago. As such, there are no promising conventional geothermal resources suitable for power production in Kauai. 3.10 Multi-Fuel Generation Technologies There are a number of energy conversion technologies that could be used to generate power from conventional and renewable fuels. This section provides a description of each of these technologies, and the outlook for their future implementation. 45 GeothermEx, Inc., "Update of the Statewide Geothermal Resource Assessment of Hawaii", available at http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/geothermal/geothermex2000.pdf, June 2000. 21 March 2005 3-76 Black & Veatch
Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 3.0 Renewable Energy Technology Options 3.10.1 Reciprocating Engine Reciprocating engines are well proven prime movers for electric generation, industrial processes, and many other applications. Reciprocating engines operate according to either an Otto or Diesel thermodynamic cycle, very much like a personal automobile. These cycles use similar mechanics to produce work, but differ in the way that they combust fuel. Operating Principles Reciprocating engines contain multiple pistons that are individually attached by connecting rods to a single crankshaft. The other end of the pistons seal combustion chambers where fuel is burned. A mixture of fuel and air is injected into the combustion chamber and an explosion is caused. The explosion provides energy to force the pistons down and this linear motion is translated into angular rotation of the crankshaft by the connecting rods. The combustion chambers are vented and the piston pushes the exhaust gases out completing the full rotation of the crankshaft. The process is repeated and work is performed. Figure 3-21. Engine Generator (Source: Caterpillar Corporation). Applications Reciprocating engine generator sets are commonly used for self-generation of power either for emergency backup or peak shaving. However, there is also a well established market for installation of generator sets as the primary power source for small power systems and isolated facilities that are located away from the transmission grid. When used for power generation, medium speed engines (less than 1,000 rpm), are typically used since they are more efficient and have lower O&M costs than smaller higher speed machines. Efficiency rates for reciprocating engines are relatively constant from 100 to 50 percent load, they have excellent load following characteristics, and they 21 March 2005 3-77 Black & Veatch
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