Category: News Releases

GOVERNOR LINGLE ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO ADVANCE ‘BIG WIND’ PROJECTS

March 17, 2009

For Immediate Release: March 17, 2009

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle along with Castle & Cooke, First Wind Hawaii and Hawaiian Electric Company today announced an agreement that could lead to large wind farms on both Lanai and Molokai providing clean energy to Oahu. These wind farms would feed into an inter-island cable system currently being discussed that could ultimately interconnect the major Hawaiian islands for increased grid reliability, security and consumer and business cost savings through access to renewables.

“This agreement can significantly help meet our goal of increasing energy independence for Hawaii by speeding up the addition of a large increment of clean energy onto the Oahu grid,” said Governor Lingle. “It shows that we are making real progress toward our clean energy goals by working together in the best interests of Hawaii.”

Under the energy agreement signed between the State of Hawaii and Hawaiian Electric in October 2008 as part of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, Hawaiian Electric committed to increasing renewable energy statewide by 1,100 megawatts by 2030. A major piece of this objective included 400 megawatts of “Big Wind” added to Oahu’s grid from Lanai and/or Molokai by way of an undersea cable developed with the assistance of the State of Hawaii. This agreement defines how the parties can move forward together.

Castle & Cooke earlier announced plans to develop a 400 megawatt (MW) wind farm on Lanai. First Wind Hawaii, which built and operates the Kaheawa Wind Farm on Maui, has proposed a 300 to 400 MW wind farm on Molokai.

Through this agreement, both wind farm developers have concurred to smaller initial projects, each up to 200 MW. The agreement clears the way for both projects to move ahead to negotiate contracts to sell their energy to Hawaiian Electric Company on Oahu.

These contracts will require approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.

Both wind project developers will cooperate with Hawaiian Electric to research, promote and coordinate the reliable integration of the wind projects into the Oahu electric grid. As a variable power source, large amounts of wind added to a stand-alone grid, such as Oahu’s, poses unusual challenges to operating the island’s electric systems.

Both wind projects depend on the ability to transmit the electric power to Oahu from Lanai and/or Molokai. Thus, the developers will assist the state in planning the undersea cable and in planning needed interconnection facilities by Hawaiian Electric.

“We are all in agreement that time is of the essence if we are going to increase our energy security and protect our economy from continued excessive dependence on imported fossil fuel,” said Hawaii Energy Administrator Ted Peck. “Thus, all parties and the state have agreed to meet regularly to review progress on the respective wind farm projects, the inter-island cable and the Oahu interconnection lines.”

“At First Wind Hawaii, we welcome this agreement as a way to focus our energies on moving forward with another major project to complement our very successful Kaheawa Wind Farm and other projects we are now developing for Maui, Oahu and Kauai. This enables us to bring economies of scale to our wind development efforts as a major provider of clean, renewable energy for Hawaii,” said Paul Gaynor, president and CEO of First Wind Hawaii.

“Lanai already is the site of the largest photovoltaic farm in the state and this project will add significantly to the island’s clean energy contributions for Hawaii,” said Harry Saunders, president of Castle & Cooke Hawaii. “This agreement provides some certainty and assurances for us to continue to advance our wind farm proposal to harness Lanai’s wind resources. This will result in the creation of green jobs and economic opportunities for Lanai, while protecting its environment and its special sense of place for residents and visitors.”

“Castle and Cooke and First Wind deserve considerable credit for working together to help get more renewable energy online faster for our state,” said Hawaiian Electric Executive Vice President Robbie Alm. “These two wind projects are absolutely essential to meeting our Hawaii Clean Energy commitments and we are very pleased to be able to work with both developers to negotiate purchase power contracts as soon as possible.”

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For more information, contact:

Ted Liu
Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY INCREASES FEDERAL COMMITMENT TO HAWAII’S CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE

March 17, 2009

For Immediate Release: March 17, 2009

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) has assigned two senior personnel from its National Renewable Energy Laboratory to assist the State of Hawaii in implementing the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI). The HCEI is a partnership between the USDOE and the state that was formed in January 2008 with the goal of having 70 percent of Hawaii’s energy come from clean sources by the year 2030.

“The assignment by the U.S. Department of Energy of senior personnel from its National Renewable Energy Laboratory to assist Hawaii in wind and solar systems integration and transmission and energy efficiency shows the federal government’s continuing commitment to the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative,” said Governor Lingle.

Debra Lew and Paul Norton, who will be based in Hawaii, are senior engineers and project leaders from NREL. Based in Golden, Colorado, NREL is USDOE’s primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development.

Lew, who will work with Hawaii’s utilities, brings a wealth of experience relating to the variability and uncertainty of wind and solar power on the electricity grid and its consequent operating and cost impacts. As a senior project leader with the National Wind Technology Center, Lew is leading the Western Wind and Solar Integration Study, the largest wind and solar integration study to date. She also has extensive experience in working with transmission planning groups on the deployment of renewable energy technologies. Lew also was the group manager for NREL’s Environmental and International Group, which focused on deployment of renewable energy technologies in developing countries, and the lead for NREL’s China program, which focused on rural electrification, policies and programs, wind integration, and renewable energy business development.

Norton will work with the Energy Efficiency Branch in the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s (DBEDT) State Energy Office. A senior engineer with NREL’s Center for Buildings and Thermal Systems, Norton brings 14 years of research experience focused in residential energy with an emphasis on the design and performance analysis of zero energy homes and communities.

Lew and Norton are the second and third national energy specialists to be assigned to assist Hawaii in implementing its energy independence efforts.

Since October 2006, under an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement with the USDOE, Bill Parks, deputy director of research and development in USDOE’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, has been assigned to DBEDT’s Strategic Industries Division. Parks has been instrumental in fostering increased coordination and collaboration between USDOE and Hawaii by and organizing strategic partnerships with the energy industry, federal agencies and private sector organizations.

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For more information, contact:

Ted Liu
Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043

GOVERNOR’S WEST HAWAII COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL TO FOCUS ON HAWAII CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE

March 5, 2009

For Immediate Release: March 5, 2009

HONOLULU – The Governor’s West Hawaii Community Advisory Council will meet on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) Gateway Center, at 73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Highway #101 in Kailua-Kona. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.

Ted Peck, energy administrator, Strategic Industries Division from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will discuss the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s work to achieve energy independence through the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI). The HCEI, a partnership between the State of Hawaii and the U.S. Department of Energy, in collaboration with Hawaiian Electric companies, the business and academic sectors, the Legislature, the counties, the military and the community, seeks to move Hawaii toward having 70 percent of its energy use come from clean energy sources by 2030.

“The Governor encourages the public to attend the meeting and share any concerns or suggestions they may have regarding efforts to develop solutions to increase Hawaii’s energy independence, especially innovative ways to utilize the Big Island’s abundant supply of renewable energy sources,” said Andy Smith, the Governor’s West Hawaii Liaison.

Governor Linda Lingle created community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government. The West Hawaii Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues and recommendations for state boards and commissions.

Members of the Governor’s West Hawaii Community Advisory Council are Rick Vidgen, Estela Halverson, Lei Kihoi, Glennon Gingo, Dale Fergerstrom and Elaine Watai from Kona; Doug Carr from Waikoloa; Joanne Ralston from Kapaau; and Beverly Byouk from Ocean View.

Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call 327-4953. For additional information on neighbor island councils of advisors, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov.

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For more information, contact:

Andy Smith
Governor’s Liaison – West Hawai‘i
Phone: (808) 327-4953

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043

GOVERNOR’S LANAI COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL TO FOCUS ON HAWAII CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE

February 19, 2009

For Immediate Release: February 19, 2009

HONOLULU – The Governor’s Lanai Community Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 4:00 p.m. at the Lanai Senior Center, 309 Seventh Street, Lanai City. The public is invited to attend.

Ted Peck, energy administrator, Strategic Industries Division, and Joshua Strickler, facilitator of renewable energy projects, from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will discuss the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s work to achieve energy independence through the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI). The HCEI, a partnership between the State of Hawaii and the U.S. Department of Energy, in collaboration with Hawaiian Electric companies, the business and academic sectors, the Legislature, the counties, the military and the community, seeks to move Hawaii toward having 70 percent of its energy use come from clean energy sources by 2030.

Governor Linda Lingle created community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government. The Lanai Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues on Lanai. The advisory council also identifies program priorities, as well as recommends potential nominees from Lanai to serve on state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s Lāna‘i Community Advisory Council are Christine Costales, Darlene Endrina, Michael Lopez, Matthew Mano and Douglas Rolefson.

Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call (808) 586-0034. For additional information on Neighbor Island Community Advisory Councils, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov.

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For more information, contact:

Charen L. Ching
Governor’s Liaison Office
Phone: (808) 586-0001

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043

GOVERNOR LINGLE AND BETTER PLACE ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO OFFER NATIONAL BLUEPRINT FOR CLEAN ENERGY IN TRANSPORTATION

December 2, 2008

For Immediate Release: December 2, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle and Shai Agassi, founder and CEO of Better Place, today unveiled a plan to bring an electric-car network to Hawaii, creating a model for the adoption of electric cars in the U.S. The move – only the second of its kind announced in the nation – will help fuel Hawaii’s drive to lead the nation in renewable energy use, create jobs locally, while also helping to secure our energy future.

“Attracting investments into the state is a major component of our Five-Point Action Plan to help stimulate the economy,” said Governor Linda Lingle. “Today’s announcement is a significant move towards our state gaining independence from foreign oil. This public-private partnership is exactly the type of investment we have been working on as we continue to carry out our Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI), moving toward the goal of 70 percent clean energy for the State of Hawaii. It highlights the importance we place on finding innovative ways to attract investments in energy technology,” Governor Lingle added.

Better Place, the world’s leading sustainability mobility operator, plans to begin permitting for the network within the next year and begin introducing vehicles within 18 months, with mass-market availability of electric cars in 2012. Hawaii joins Israel, Denmark, Australia and California in its commitment to deploying the world’s first electric car networks.

Hawaii spends up to $7 billion a year on oil imports and drivers pay some of the highest gasoline prices in the nation – accounting for nearly 20 percent of the state’s Green House Gases (GHG). Building the infrastructure for widespread adoption of electric vehicles will not only stimulate the local economy and reduce carbon emissions, but also provide a more affordable transportation option for Hawaii’s drivers.

“Hawaii, with its ready access to renewable energy resources like solar, wind, wave and geothermal, is the ideal location to serve as a blue print for the rest of the U.S. in terms of reducing our dependence on foreign oil, growing our renewable energy portfolio and creating an infrastructure that will stabilize our economy,” said Shai Agassi, Founder and CEO of Better Place. “Hawaii has made the commitment to breaking its dependence on foreign oil, and is leading the way in addressing the most important economic and energy issues facing us today.”

Hawaiian Electric Companies and Better Place Hawaii today signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on both the infrastructure and energy sources to power Better Place’s unique network of public charging spots and battery swapping stations with renewable energy. The partnership capitalizes on Better Place’s innovative business model and Hawaii’s abundant renewable energy resources to deliver the large-scale deployment of electrical vehicles throughout the state.

“Hawaiian Electric is proud to be the first utility in the United States to sign an agreement with Better Place,” said Robbie Alm, Hawaiian Electric executive vice president. “It is clear that to reach the very progressive goals of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, it will take changes not just in the way we make and use electricity, but in the way we move around our islands.

“The Better Place plan will provide immediate benefits to consumers and encourage the addition of more renewable energy resources to our grid, an essential element of HCEI. Because Better Place will manage when vehicles are recharged, they can provide a market for renewable energy output in off-peak hours when it might otherwise not be needed,” Alm said.

The arrival of Better Place Hawaii furthers the progress of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) signed in January – with the goal to meet the state’s energy needs from 70% clean energy by 2030, as well as fostering economic growth and building the workforce of the future. The state is well on its way to leading the nation to a new era of energy independence.

“While oil prices have recently come down from their historic highs, we believe this volatility highlights the urgency for a transformation to renewable energies,” said Ted Liu, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. “As we begin to break our addiction to foreign oil, we will be a model for the rest of the nation and the world.”

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For more information, contact:

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 808-586-7705

Ted Peck
Administrator, State Energy Office
Phone: 808-586-2355

Julie Mullins
Better Place
Phone: 650-387-0486
Email: [email protected]

Peter Rosegg
Hawaiian Electric Company
Phone: 808-543-7780
Email: [email protected]

GOVERNOR LINGLE ANNOUNCES NEW OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY PARTNERSHIP

November 18, 2008

For Immediate Release: November 18, 2008

HONOLULU — Governor Linda Lingle today announced a new energy partnership to develop a 10 megawatt (MW) Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) pilot plant in Hawaii between the Taiwan Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and the Lockheed Martin Corporation.

During the Governor’s official state visit to Taiwan, the ITRI agreed to join in a feasibility study and will collaborate in the initial pilot plant in Hawaii. OTEC agrees to provide clean renewable electricity generated from the difference in temperature between the ocean’s warm surface and its chilly depths. Unlike many other renewable energy technologies, OTEC can provide consistent baseload power.

The ocean temperatures and the subsea terrain make the waters surrounding both Taiwan and Hawaii superior locations for this technology. Lockheed Martin Corporation has developed and studied OTEC technology for over 30 years. Its plans for a 10 MW OTEC pilot plant in Hawaii are already underway.

“As island economies in the Pacific, Taiwan and the State of Hawaii share very similar challenges of overdependence on imported petroleum for their energy needs,” Governor Lingle said. “Taiwan and Hawaii also share a common vision and plan to increase renewable and clean energy generation based on indigenous energy resources.”

Hawaii currently relies on imported fossil fuel for about 94 percent of its primary energy; the balance is from renewable resources.

Taiwan is even more dependent on imported fuels than Hawaii, with less than one percent of its primary supply derived from indigenous renewables. The Bureau of Energy of Taiwan is working to increase conservation and energy efficiency, and to develop renewable energy so that it accounts for 12 percent of Taiwan’s total installed capacity by 2020.

Most OTEC research and development in recent decades has been performed at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA), located at Keahole Point, Kona. Huge pipelines bringing cold, deep ocean water to the surface enabled the demonstration of a variety of OTEC components and pilot plants. Mini-OTEC, the first closed-cycle, at-sea OTEC plant to generate net electricity, was deployed in the waters off NELHA in 1979. Lockheed Missiles and Space Company was a partner in that effort as well as subsequent research at NELHA.

This latest agreement with Taiwan complements the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, a partnership between the State of Hawaii and the United States Department of Energy which will decisively move the state away from its dependence on fossil fuels and toward a clean energy driven economy that will be a model for other states and regions.

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For more information, contact:

Ted Liu
Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

David Young
DBEDT Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043

HAWAII CHOSEN TO STUDY ADVANCED ENERGY CONSERVATION PLANNING

November 13, 2008

For Immediate Release: November 13, 2008

HONOLULU — Governor Linda Lingle announced today that the State of Hawaii has been selected by the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices to participate in its Policy Academy on Advanced Energy Strategies for Buildings.

The Policy Academy will assist the state to develop an action plan and implementation strategy around energy use in the state’s public and private buildings.

“This project comes at the perfect time for Hawaii as we continue to maximize our federal and private partnerships to increase Hawaii’s energy independence,” said Governor Lingle, who serves on the NGA’s eight-member energy task force. “The NGA Policy Academy will support our Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative and provide Hawaii with additional national assistance in reviewing both legislative and regulatory proposals for advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in our building sector.”

“The Policy Academy will provide technical assistance from NGA Center staff, expert faculty, and national consultants,” said Theodore E. Liu, director, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), whose department will lead Hawaii’s participation in the Policy Academy. “We have a robust team of public and private sector building and visitor industry professionals who are prepared to identify innovative solutions to making buildings in Hawaii more energy efficient.”

As part of the Advanced Energy Strategies for Buildings Policy Academy, Hawai‘i’s energy team will work with national experts to develop action plans that include:

• Identifying cost-effective strategies for reducing energy use from buildings, such as improving building codes and encouraging participation in voluntary certification programs;
• Designing new policies, programs and measures that promote the adoption of smart energy use, such as increasing consumption from renewable sources; and
• Developing innovative funding and financing options to support implementation, such as low-interest loans, utility rate restructuring, or public benefit funds.

The Lingle-Aiona Administration currently is implementing several initiatives to improve energy efficiency in state government buildings. Eleven state buildings on four islands have been targeted as priorities for “retrocommissioning.” This process involves identifying opportunities to save energy in state buildings and reduce operating costs, such as installing new or upgraded energy-efficient products, materials, systems and equipment. The state also is moving forward on installing photovoltaic systems at airports and other transportation facilities around the state.

In September, DBEDT officials, State Tourism Liaison Marsha Wienert, along with the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, began discussions with the large hotels in Waikiki on a collective approach to conserving energy and developing new energy sources. This most recent assistance by NGA will enhance the state’s and the private sector’s efforts to increase energy efficiency in the hotels.

Hawaii’s central challenge is its high dependence on imported fossil fuel for its energy needs. Ninety-six percent of the crude oil refined and consumed in Hawaii is from non-U.S. sources, leaving Hawaii especially vulnerable to supply disruptions. Seventy-eight percent of Hawaii’s electricity generation is from petroleum (diesel) and 13 percent is from coal, resulting in the highest energy costs in the nation.

“Hawaii has abundant renewable resources, including solar, wind, biomass and geothermal, and emerging technologies such as ocean and wave energy. We need to implement a strategy to increase access to these clean energy technologies to reduce our buildings’ energy use and overall energy costs,” Liu said. “This project will assist us in meeting that goal. Working towards solutions in increasing our use of indigenous sources of energy and achieving greater energy efficiency will save a portion of more than $5 billion exported annually to purchase foreign oil. This will mean additional money circulating at home to create economic opportunities at all levels of our economy.”

Hawaii was one of seven states selected to participate in the NGA Policy Academy on Advanced Energy Strategies for Buildings. The others were Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Utah, and Wisconsin.

The Opening Meeting of the Policy Academy will be held January 14-16, 2009, in Washington, D.C. This project is supported through funds provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

This is the second time this year the NGA has supported the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. In June, the NGA Center for Best Practices awarded Hawaii a $50,000 grant to analyze the costs and benefits of electric vehicles as well as the infrastructure needed to support their large-scale use in Hawaii.

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For more information, contact:

Ted Liu
Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043

GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $1,854,000 FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION IMPROVEMENTS TO STATE BUILDINGS

October 21, 2008

For Immediate Release: October 21, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $1,854,000 in design and construction funds to improve the energy efficiency of state buildings on Oahu.

Project work includes the installation of new or upgraded energy-efficient products, materials, systems and equipment.

“It is important that the state lead by example in making public buildings more energy and cost-efficient,” said Governor Lingle. “Deferring these projects would delay our cost-saving benefits and result in building systems and equipment becoming obsolete.”

Projects include:

State Capitol – Honolulu, Oahu
$64,000 in design funds will be used to install light sensor switches throughout the building to turn off or lower lighting in areas not being occupied. In addition, Governor Lingle released $1,362,000 for construction to install protective tinting on windows to reduce the heat gain and load on the air-conditioning system.

Kalanimoku Building – Honolulu, Oahu
Governor Lingle has allotted an additional $350,000 for design to replace the air-conditioning system’s air-handler units, ducts, controls and basement exhaust fans, which are old, deteriorating and not working properly. The Kalanimoku Building is located at 1151 Punchbowl Street.

Kakuhihewa Building (also known at the Kapolei State Building) – Kapolei, Oahu
$48,000 will cover design to install light sensor switches throughout the building to turn off or lower lighting in areas not being occupied.

Hale Auhau Building – Honolulu, Oahu
An additional $30,000 will cover design to replace the air-conditioning system’s air-handler units, ducts and controls. Located at 425 Queen Street, the Hale Auhau Building houses the Department of the Attorney General.

Design and construction timelines for these projects vary. Construction on all projects is scheduled to be completed by December 2010.

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For more information, contact:

Russ Saito
Director, DAGS
Phone: (808) 586-0400

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043

STATE AND HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC STRIKE SWEEPING AGREEMENT FOR HAWAII’S ENERGY FUTURE

October 20, 2008

For Immediate Release: October 20, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today announced a comprehensive agreement to decisively move the state away from its dependence on fossil fuels for electricity and ground transportation.

The historic accord – agreed to between the Lingle-Aiona Administration, including the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the State Consumer Advocate, and the Hawaiian Electric companies – is an achievement stemming from months of discussions and work on the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. This effort, which began in January between the state and U.S. Department of Energy, seeks to move Hawaii toward having 70 percent of its energy use come from clean energy sources by 2030.

The agreement will reduce by many years the process of moving the state forward to a clean energy-driven economy by accelerating regulatory changes.

“This is a detailed plan to implement the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative with sweeping changes that are needed to reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuel and to achieve a more secure energy and economic future,” said Governor Lingle. “I feel strongly that the state and our major utility can and must continue finding common ground in moving forward and taking decisive and bold steps toward an energy-independent Hawaii.”

Major highlights of the agreement include:

• A commitment to integrate as much as 1100 megawatts (MW) of already identified additional renewable energy on the Hawaiian Electric companies’ grids (700 MW to be implemented within five years).
• The construction of an undersea cable connecting Maui, Molokai and Lanai into one electrical grid to allow the integration of an additional 400 MW of renewable wind power generated in Maui County for transmission to Oahu.
• A requirement that 40 percent of electric power come from renewable resources by 2030, doubling the current Renewable Portfolio Standard requirement law.
• A “feed-in” tariff system designed to dramatically accelerate the addition of renewable energy from new sources by providing published purchased power prices for renewable power providers, which would encourage increased development of alternative energy projects.
• Seeking prompt approvals from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission for the immediate deployment of advanced meters and for implementation of time-of-use rates that reward customers with lower electric rates for using power during off-peak times. This change will support the development of a “smart grid” to allow customers far greater control of their energy use and their electricity bills.
• Changing the way Hawaiian Electric is compensated by moving away from a business model that places reliance on increased electric sales.
• Commitment from the Hawaiian Electric companies to retire older fossil fuel powered energy generation plants as Hawaii moves to a renewable energy future.
• Conversion of existing fossil fuel generators to renewable biofuels, ultimately using crops grown locally and in a sustainable manner.
• A prohibition on the construction of any new coal plants in Hawaii.
• Expanding the Pay-As-You-Save program under which customers can install solar water heating systems without having to pay money up front, but can acquire energy-saving improvements through shared savings on their electric bills.
• Eliminating existing system-wide caps on net energy metering to allow customers on each island to produce their own renewable energy and obtain credit on their electric bills for any excess exported to the grid.
• Submitting a proposal to the PUC for establishment of “lifeline” rates, which provide a cap for certain low income customers.
• Committing the state and Hawaiian Electric Companies to a program that will identify and implement incentives needed to encourage adoption of electric vehicles for individual and fleet use, and also lead by example by acquiring hybrid or electric-only vehicles for government and utility fleets.

“With this agreement, Hawaii moves to the forefront in energy leadership in the nation,” said Kevin Kolevar, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, whose office helped negotiate the agreement. “Hawaii’s vision will prove to be a boon to the local economy and will lead to more stability and long-term reductions in the cost of energy in Hawaii. It will provide future generations with significant independence from imported fuel.

“I applaud Governor Lingle for her commitment to pursuing the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. She has made it a personal priority, kept everyone’s feet to the fire and made sure that the final result is in the public’s best interest,” Kolevar said. “Without her leadership none of this would be possible.”

“This agreement reinforces that Hawaii is open for energy business,” said Ted Liu, director of the State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. “It will require focused and upfront investment in order to get Hawaii off its dependence on imported oil, but in the long term, will lead to significant reductions in energy costs to Hawaii’s consumers. It is an investment in a healthy future for our economy and for our environment. The path is not necessarily easy, but it will reward all of us in the end.”

“This agreement also includes measures to assist Hawaii consumers, providing options to help them reduce their electricity bills,” said State Consumer Advocate Catherine Awakuni. “Provisions
include advanced meters and pricing that will reward customers for wise energy choices, no money- down solar water heating installations, and an end to a utility business model based on increasing sales rather than encouraging decreases and efficiencies in energy use. All of this will help utility ratepayers in the days ahead.”

“We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this critical effort led by Governor Lingle and her Administration, in particular the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s energy division, and the contribution of time and expertise of the U.S. Department of Energy,” said Constance Lau, chairman of the board, Hawaiian Electric Company.

“We are committed to making these plans a reality and working together with the state to achieve a more secure, economically viable and environmentally responsible energy future for Hawaii,” Lau said.

While this agreement is with the Hawaiian Electric utilities, the state and the consumer advocate are also working separately with Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC). KIUC and Kauai County are active participants in the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. Kauai has unique energy issues such as a utility cooperative status, the lack of inter-island cable potential today, the existing grid lay-out, and limits to some renewable energy choices due to threatened and endangered avian populations which compel a separate agreement. KIUC and the U.S. Department of Energy are also working to model the KIUC grid to better understand the electricity choices available to Kauai.

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For more information, contact:

Ted Liu
Director
DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Office of the Governor
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Office of the Governor
Phone: (808) 586-0043

Lynne Unemori
Vice President, Corporate Relations
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.
Phone: (808) 543-7972

Catherine Awakuni
Consumer Advocate
DCCA
Phone: (808) 586-2770

 

HAWAII NATURAL ENERGY INSTITUTE AWARDED $5 MILLION FOR WAVE ENERGY PROJECT

September 19, 2008

For Immediate Release: September 19, 2008

HONOLULU–The Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) at the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology has been selected by the federal Department of Energy (DOE) to establish one of two National Marine Renewable Energy Research Centers.

The DOE will provide a grant to HNEI of approximately $1 million per year for as many as five years to conduct renewable energy research and development of technologies that harness the power of waves and ocean thermal energy conversion.

“As a test center, UH will receive federal funding to study and encourage the implementation of wave energy systems in Hawaiian waters,” said State Representative Cynthia Thielen who has been a strong advocate of wave energy development. “Our strong wave climate, combined with the highest use of fossil fuel and electricity rates in the nation, make Hawaii an ideal location for the development of lower -cost wave power.”

“The Department of Energy is aggressively pursuing the development of next-generation technologies that are capable of producing renewable energy to add to our nation’s diverse energy portfolio,” Acting Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy John Mizroch said. “Wave, tidal, and current-driven hydro power is an important clean, natural, and domestic energy source that will promote energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

The National Renewable Marine Energy Center in Hawaii will facilitate the development and implementation of commercial wave energy systems and to assist the private sector in moving ocean thermal energy conversion systems beyond proof-of-concept to pre-commercialization, long-term testing.

These Centers are a public-private partnership that will assess and evaluate the viability and cost-competitiveness of using advanced water power systems.

The Center in Hawaii will serve as a national information clearinghouse for the marine renewable energy industry that will collect and disseminate information on best practices in research.

The Department of Energy is expected to award HNEI $978,048 later this year and exact funding will be determined for subsequent years thereafter.

“Wave energy converters require engineers, consultants, commercial divers, maintenance crews, marine transport services, technicians and shipyard services. A vibrant wave energy industry will create well-paying jobs while keeping billions of dollars in our state economy instead of shipping them primarily to foreign countries to pay for oil,” Representative Thielen said.

“With the recent surge in oil prices, renewable energy systems have been experiencing a renaissance. Investors who wanted nothing to do with renewable energy companies a few years ago are now scrambling to get their money invested in leading technologies. Those investors now can compete to catch the wave.”

“This award is another important step in implementing the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, harnessing the endless supply of wave and potential deep ocean energy we have surrounding our islands,” said Ted Liu, Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.

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For more information, contact:
Ted Liu
Director – Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism