The Friends of Lana’i filed a petition with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday to reopen the competitive bidding process for the “Big Wind” project on Lanai and Molokai to transmit electricity via undersea cables to Oahu. The Petition The Friends of Lana’i press release: Friends of Lāna‘i (FOL) today petitioned Hawaii’s Public Utilities […]
HECO Wants to Keep Renewable Energy Contracts Secret
In a move toward making the costs of transitioning to clean energy more transparent to ratepayers, the state Public Utilities Commission has directed Hawaiian Electric Co. to publicly disclose pricing information negotiated for renewable-energy contracts. In the past, utility officials have disclosed pricing for some contracts, but not others. The change has affected recent applications […]
Big Island Algae Biofuel Co Changes Name
HR BioPetroleum changed its name to Cellana Inc. The company develops algae-based biofuels and bioproducts and has a 6-acre demonstration facility in Kona on the Big Island. It formed Cellana LLC as a joint venture with Royal Dutch Shell PLC and became the sole owner of Cellana LLC this January, according to the statement. Read […]
First Wind vs Pattern Energy Squabble
First Wind CEO Paul Gaynor criticizes Castle & Cooke’s decision give 200 megawatts of its wind allocation for the “Big Wind-interisland cable” project to Pattern Energy for a wind farm on Molokai. The Big Wind project seeks to bring 400 mw of wind energy from Molokai and Lanai to Oahu via an undersea cable. The […]
Solar Ready Roofs Bill
SB181 Solar Ready Homes – would require new homes to incorporate design elements to make solar panels more easily installed whenever the new owner is ready to take the plunge. This will definitely help to make solar more affordable by eliminating the need for expensive retrofits. Conference committee will reconvene on 4/27/2011 3:40 PM in […]
Maui Resident Uses Only Solar Power
“Jason King’s solar-powered home is perched amidst his manicured lawn and gardens. Atop his luxury hale are 23 solar panels that power his entire life. With a dual Outback inverter and 24-count battery bank, it’s a robust system that King says, “powers my car, phat sound system, home movie theater, laundry, refrigerator, hot tub, sauna—every […]