KC3 Rough Draft: Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy uses Earth's natural heat as an energy source to produce electricity & make the Earth greener. You can find the use of geothermal energy near areas of volcanic activity, such as the Big Island. This specific type of energy is very unique because it's found in very few places. Using Earth's natural heat for electricity makes us one step closer to keeping the Earth healthy.

It began in 1881, when King David Kalakaua & his Attorney General were talking with Thomas Edison about the possibility of using Hawaii's volcanoes as power to produce electricity. They would use it to light Hawaii's capital & transfer it to other islands by submarine cable. Believe it or not, they made this dream become a reality.

The exploration for geothermal energy in Hawaii began in the 1960s. In the year 1976, the first geothermal well that produced steam was drilled in Hawaii. The same well, known as HGP-A, finally began to produce electricity in 1982. This was meant to only last for two years. The plant ran for eight years before shutting down at the end of the year 1989. Over that period of time, the well produced 15-19 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. This electricity was sold to the Hawaii Electric Light Company for use by electric consumers on the big island.

From 1982-1990, a 500 megawatt geothermal/interisland submarine cable project was under consideration. About $26 millon was expended in studies, design, engineering, fabrication, and testing for what was called the Hawaii Deep Water Cable Project. The design criteria stated that the cables would have to be able to take on the stresses of at-sea deployment, the environment under sea, and to reliably conduct electricity for thirty years. Over 251 different cable designs were considered. Tests included labratory and at-sea cable deployment tests. The cable didn't prove to be economical, while shown to be technically feasible through the research. Cost proposals for commercial installation of the cable showed that the project couldn't be supported without significant government help, which were not possible at the time.

The production of geothermal energy has contributed toward greater energy diversification on the island of Hawaii. I want to know if this energy source will harm the Earth & other living things on this planet. The state's policy currently supports geothermal energy production on the Big Island exclusively for use on that island. This is proof that if I or anyone has a dream, with a little hard labor, it could become a reality.

JOURNAL #14

TOPIC: Renewable Resources
SUBTOPIC: Geothermal Energy
THESIS STATEMENT: Geothermal energy uses Earth's natural heat as an energy source to produce power & make the planet greener.