Newly found water resources fuels geothermal hopes for Hawaii’s high country
Volcanic vent on the Big Island in Hawaii, U.S. (source: flickr/ geofiz, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
26 Oca 2015
New groundwater pockets at high elevations alongside with high enough temperatures exceeding 250°C have been found in Hawaii's high country revealing new geothermal potential.
Hawaii might have more geothermal potential than previously expected. According to a recent article by EOS, Hawaii’s High Country, an area known for its lack of water and limited rainfall,has “groundwater pockets at high elevations (…) The groundwater, which could be pumped to the surface to supply much-needed water or developed into a source of geothermal electricity, could help solve the region’s water and energy woes.”
This does not only apply to underground water; the “deeper reaches get progressively hotter. Temperatures at depth may exceed 250°C, enough heat to create steam from extracted water. This steam can drive turbines and generate electricity.”
This is obviously great news for an area in Hawaii that is currently paying electricity at a much higher cost than other US States.
To read the full article, follow the link below.
Source: EOS
