| 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. |