Renewable Energy in Hawaii

Hawaii is a leader among the fifty states (Ranked 4th Forbes 2007) when it comes to renewable energy. In a single year, renewable energy sources such as biomass, wind, hydropower, geothermal and solar have saved the State as much as 3.5 million barrels of oil and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 1.9 million tons (1992).

Sadly, Hawaii is also one of the most petroleum dependent states for about 85% – 90% of its primary energy.

Gov. Lingle announced a goal earlier this year of at least 70 percent renewable energy use in Hawaii by the year 2030.

Geothermal

Geothermal uses the heat generated by the volcanic activities and turns the hot water and steam generated deep underground and converts it to power on the surface. On the Big Island of Hawaii geothermal provides 20% of the Big Islands power. Geothermal exploration started as early as 1960 and has grown into it’s present day supplier of a fifth of the islands needs, with the potential to provide much more.

The Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) power plant is located in Pahoa, Hawaii. PGV accounts for about 30 percent of the state’s alternative energy resources, which is more than wind and solar combined. The water is reinjected into the earth so the plant has near zero emissions.

Biomass

Biomass is the largest source of renewable fuel in Hawaii. A 180 MW biomass plant began full-scale operations on September 1, 1992. In 1992 biomass produced about 8.2 percent of the State’s total electricity. Consisting mainly from bagasse the waste from sugarcane. Sugar mills use bagasse from sugarcane to provide thermal power and electricity for sale to utility grids. The decline in the sugar industry over the past couple of decades has slowed this renewable source down to the point that some of the plants had to turn to burning coal and petroleum fuels to produce power.

A partnership of Wind developers from Kaui and Maui are trying to secure the rights to 20,000 acres of eucalyptus trees grown along the Hamakua coast to burn in a biomass combustion power plant. The 30-megawatt power plant hopes to be completed sometime in the second half of 2010.

The power plant will be located in Paauilo and produce enough energy to power 30,000 homes. The plant could generate 30 megawatts of power, but would normally generate 25 megawatts of firm power during peak times and 15 megawatts at other times.

Hydro Power

Hydro power harness the energy of moving water to produce electricity. There are several small hydroelectric plants on the islands of Hawaii. Although these are deamed as being intermittent and not stable power they do produce enough power to power various sugar mills and plantations. Most are owned by the sugar mills themselves. There are a total of 20 Hydropower plants that produce .2 MW or greater. Maui has 4 hydro power plants, Kauai has seven and the Big Island has 9 plants.

Solar Power

Hawaii is the state with the nation’s highest per capita installation of Solar Water Heaters. In a recent post I told you about the states new law requiring all new construction of homes to include a Solar Water Heater. An estimated 80,000 homes have solar heaters installed and an estimated 1,500 or more residential and commercial solar installations are in use throughout the state.

Wind Power

Wind power ranks third in Hawaii’s renewable energy resources with wind generation providing 1.3% of Hawaii’s power. There are several wind farms in Hawaii with Maui and the Big Island having the largest wind farms. The Parker Ranch solar / wind hybrid power plant on the Big Island in Hawaii is the world’s largest hybrid solar / wind energy project.

Renewable Energy for the Homeowner

The homeowner in Hawaii has a couple of choices for setting up and using Renewable energy in their home. Solar is the obvious first choice and wind power makes a good match to solar because of the trade winds we have and the wind during storms when the sun isn’t shining as bright.

The state provides homeowners with various tax credits as does the federal government for installing either Solar and Wind systems or both. And since many houses in Hawaii are equipped with credible house insurance policies, installing these renewable energy systems is easy and manageable.

Since the Pu’u O’o vent opened up the Vog is affecting the Kona side of the big Island, Solar output of solar panels has been reduced by as much as 50% in some locations, so be sure you check with a reputable dealer when making your solar decisions and discuss the area you live in and the possible impact of the vog on your solar system.

Homeowner Renewable Resources:

Maui Koa Solar
Attn: Christopher Cookman
P.O. Box 791278
Paia, HI 96779
Tel: (808) 573-6657
Fax: (808) 573-6657
E-mail: cookman2@gmail.com

Maui Energy Co.
Attn: Leo Caires
1188 E. Kuaha Rd.
Haiku, HI 96708
Tel: (866) 629-5756
E-mail: info@mauienergycompany.com
Web Site: http://www.mauienergycompany.com

Solarman
Attn: Paul MooreP.O. Box 10689
Hilo, HI 96721
Tel: (808) 982-5708
Fax: (808) 982-7526
E-mail: solarpaul@yahoo.com

Kevin Donnelly
P.O. Box 20
Maunaloa, Molokai, HI 96770
Tel: (808) 552-2222
Fax: (808) 552-0055
E-mail: kevin@mymolokai.net

The Alternate Source / JBT Ltd.
Attn: Ted Walls
27-2111 Mamalahoa Hwy
Papaikou, HI 96781
Tel: (808) 964-3500
Fax: (808) 964-3511
E-mail: fotovolt@gte.net

Jim Anderson
P.O. Box 741
Naalehu, HI 96772
Tel: (808) 929-4463

Pacific Energy Strategies LLC
Attn: Steven Olsen
94-1093 Hanauna Street, Ste.102
Waipahu, HI 96797
Tel: (808) 671-5566
Fax: (808) 678-1475
E-mail: pacificenergy@hawaii.rr.com
Web Site: http://www.pacific-energy.com

Kohala Sun & Wind
Attn: Karl ToubmanP.O. Box 1556
Kapa’au, HI 96755
Tel: (808) 895-1911
Fax: (808) 885-4228
E-mail: karltoub@hawaiiantel.net

I am sure there are a lot more Solar and Wind power dealers I didn’t include here. Check your local phone books and also search Google for more.