Alaska looking into geothermal energy potential on remote Augustine Island
Augustine Volcano, Alaska (Source: Flickr, U.S. Geological Survey, Creative commons)
Parker O'Halloran
9 Jun 2017
Little known island in Alaska’s Cook Inlet may hold geothermal potential for residents of Homer.
Augustine Island is situated in the cold waters of Cook Inlet, not far from Katmai National Park. 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the nearest town, this uninhabited island shows signs of geothermal potential, as indicated by the smoke slowly billowing from its summit.
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Oil and Gas did provide a high-level overview of the island before issuing a geothermal energy lease sale there in 2013. The decision approved the geothermal energy lease sale and one lease was sold on the island in 2013 on a 10-year lease cycle. Currently, in Alaska, there is no geothermal development going on in the state, according Division of Oil and Gas Spokeswoman Diane Hunt.
“I can only say we don’t have anything active right now,” Hunt said.
The nearest power plant is in Nikiski, more than 100 miles away, and a more local renewable resource for electricity would be welcome for cities such as Homer.
“Developing geothermal resources requires that economics are favorable for power generation,” the document states. “Siting, permitting and customer markets must overcome the risk of bearing the high exploration and capital investments in the initial development phases … Power generation from geothermal resource in Cook Inlet could augment existing power sources.”
The island remains quietly undeveloped except for the volcanic activity monitoring stations set up by the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Survey.
Source: Elizabeth Earl. Peninsula Clarion.
For more information on Augustine Volcano, check out Alaska Volcano Observatory
