Direct Heat Debuts in Hawaii: The Community Geothermal Technology Program
- Key words
- Direct Use; Research Agencies; USA; Hawaii; Puna; DOE; Agriculture; Agribusiness; Drying; Food Processing; Manufacturing; Aquaculture; Amorphous Silica; Silica; NELH; Direct Heat Laboratory; Grants
- Location
- Puna, Hawaii
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1988
- Session
- Direct use; Economics; Financing; Agricultural applications;
- Language
- English
Abstract
Four small businesses and one artistic partnership are the first users of district heat and byproducts from Hawaii's HGP-A geothermal well. Beginning in 1986, utilizing grants of up to $10,000, the grantees experimented with food drying, lumber drying, greenhouse bottom-heating, cloth dyeing and glass making. Having completed their experimental and pre-commercial work, most of the five projects are exploring ways to continue their geothermal operations on a commercial scale. Issues now being addressed include the establishment of a geothermal "mini-park," the economics of using geothermal heat in a full scale business, and in some cases, the potential market for the unique products.
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