We know misinformation spread about Honua Ola Bioenergy’s operations has created misconceptions about our commitment to produce clean renewable energy without harming the environment.
With this newsletter, we want to shed light on how ocean water will be used safely to generate enough power for 14,000 homes and businesses across Hawaii Island.
Honua Ola’s cooling supply wells will draw saltwater up from 1,200 feet below sea level. This cold saltwater moves through pipes in a chamber called the condenser. Steam from the turbine goes into the condenser where it flows over the pipes filled with cold saltwater, cooling it to change it back into water. After it changes the steam into water, the saltwater is discharged from the condenser into an injection well that returns it to the saltwater aquifer where it cools as it slowly seeps through the rock and into the ocean.
Honua Ola’s water source will come from non-drinking water sources, while the water Honua Ola discharges into the saltwater aquifer will have no negative impact on the environment.
Following best practices, the non-potable water will be treated with negligible amounts of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved additives (1 part for every 5 million parts of water) to prevent mineral deposits on the pipes. These additives are also approved by the state Department of Health (DOH) and do not contain any hazardous substances listed in the Clean Water Act that is regulated by the EPA. The DOH and state Department of Land and Natural Resources will be regulating the use of the injection and supply wells respectively.
To better understand how this complex cooling process works safely and effectively to produce clean renewable energy, check out the graphic below.
