Energy technology innovation partnership project (etipp)

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has named the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office (HSEO) as the ETIPP Regional Partner for Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Territories.

eNERGY TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT ETIPP

Under the U.S. Department of Energy, a total of $2.5 billion in formula funds is open to communities and organizations that are experiencing energy resilience challenges due to their remote geography, aging infrastructure and exposure to harsh weather conditions, among other considerations. In Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region, ETIPP has supported energy resilience projects at the University of Hawaiʻi, Guam, Hauʻula, Honolulu, Kahikinui, Kauai, Molokai, Upcountry Maui and Waianae.

In its fifth cohort, the program offers two tracks: strategic energy planning or technical deep dives. Communities in the early stages of planning energy system improvements will spend four to eight months in ETIPP developing a strategic energy plan that clearly defines their energy goals and objectives. Those joining ETIPP with an existing energy plan or well-defined energy project will embark on a 12- to 24-month process to explore the technical dimensions of specific energy solutions.

“ETIPP programs assist Hawai’i and Pacific region communities in building actionable energy plans to increase grid stability, replace aging infrastructure and address connectivity constraints,” says Hawaiʻiʻs Chief Energy Officer Mark B. Glick. “Solutions developed in tandem with local communities build trust in the energy planning process, augmenting community-based ingenuity with high-level technical expertise.”

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS:

Strategic Energy Planning is a 4- to 8-month effort that supports communities in developing actionable goals for their energy resilience planning. HSEO and supporting lab technical experts will work with communities to guide the planning effort, resulting in a completed strategic energy plan, which includes a high-level energy assessment and baseline, individualized community goals, and a unique community action plan that defines energy resilience and affordability in the near-, mid-, and long terms.

The Deep Dive technical assistance track is for communities with an existing and current energy plan (developed within the last 5 years) or specific project that fits within the scope and purview of ETIPP. The Deep Dive track can be between 12 to 24 months and will result in a thorough analysis led by national lab technical subject matter experts.

Examples of technical assistance available through the ETIPP Deep Dive track include:

Analyzing the feasibility and impacts of deploying local energy technologies that can provide resilience, reliability, and affordability
Producing guidance for energy policy and decision-making
Assessing leading-edge technologies and innovative energy system improvements.

ETIPP is currently accepting applications through July 27, 2025. Prospective applicants must first contact HSEO as the ETIPP regional partner or Energy Partnerships Program Manager Eric Sippert via email at eric.n.sippert@h a waii.gov to discuss their eligibility.

For more information, visit Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project: Coastal, Remote, and Island Community Technical Assistance | State, Local, and Tribal Governments | NREL

ETIPP is managed by NREL and funded and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.