Hawaii State Energy Office

“Clearway Energy recently pulled the plug on plans for three major solar farms, but Hawaiian Electric still has several other projects in the works.” https://lnkd.in/gDfEzuE2

As engineer Andy Hoke explains in an article for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the only economical way to integrate high levels of renewable energy into our grids is with grid-forming inverters, which can be implemented on any technology that uses an inverter, including wind, solar photovoltaics, batteries, fuel cells, microturbines and even high-voltage direct-current transmission lines—critical to preventing blackouts if a generator fails. Kaua‘i offers a preview of the electrical future, says Hoke, especially for places where utilities are now, or soon will be, relying heavily on solar photovoltaic or wind power. The reduced reliance on fossil fuels provides Kaua‘i ratepayers with the lowest average costs in the state. On O‘ahu, with constraints on available land and 19 times the electricity demand, the challenge is exponentially greater. Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative https://lnkd.in/gnD8BdrJ

“Prices for hydrogen produced with clean energy will remain high, Harvard researchers demonstrate in the journal Joule, but the fuel may remain the only way to decarbonize some sectors.” https://lnkd.in/g27mWP-m

We're celebrating National Drive Electric Week this Saturday across Hawaii. Hawaii peeps - if you're interested in connecting with EV leaders and advocates, visit one of our events.

A “postcard from the future,” Plus Power’s Kapolei Energy Storage system is a case study in how to decarbonize while maintaining grid reliability. Check out this video from Plus Power and @Tesla_Megapack to learn more. Mark Glick https://lnkd.in/gGPvgzsY

Thrilled to see another one of our proposals has been selected for funding in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s second round of the RECI grant! Led by the New Buildings Institute, our project will seek to develop, pilot, and support tailored energy codes and building policies in Hawai'i (with the City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency), the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico, focusing on addressing unique tropical-island challenges related to grid stability and integration of renewable energy grid. Mahalo to Adriana C. & Ben Rabe for leading the charge on this proposal! Hawaii State Energy Office https://lnkd.in/gFCk-D8T

What defines “fair compensation” for VPPs? “In the past year, two states — Colorado and Maryland — have passed bills mandating VPP programs. Of those, Maryland is further along, with state regulators opening a proceeding to implement the law” https://lnkd.in/gWapSSHF

I am so proud to celebrate the grand opening of Kūihelani Solar Storage, Hawai‘i’s largest solar facility, now powering 27,000 homes on Maui with clean, renewable energy! 🌞 We had the grand opening & blessing ceremony last Friday. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our incredible AES Hawai‘i team, as well as our incredible partners, local leaders & legislators, Hawaiian Electric, landowner Mahi Pono, EPC contractor BayWa and sub-contractor Goodfellow Bros., and the Maui community.    This was a tremendous #AllTogether achievement for AES Hawai'i, the island of Maui, and the state of Hawai'i as a whole!    Special thanks to Mayor Bissen for declaring Sept. 6 as “Energy Resiliency Day,” and to everyone who joined us last week to celebrate this momentous day. And mahalo to Kahu Kimokeo for blessing our project, just as he did at our groundbreaking two years ago. At 8 cents per kWh, Kūihelani delivers the lowest renewable energy cost in the state, while supporting dual-use agriculture in the form of sheep grazing.    Here’s to our shared success in advancing Hawai‘i’s 100% renewable energy future! 🙏