In the past few years the rate of solar installations in Hawai`i has doubled each year. The HECO utilities experienced peak energy use in 2004. Since then the demand for electricity from the grid has been dropping. Mayes introduced the concept of “cascading natural deregulation.” As the cost of renewable systems trends downward and electric […]
Life of the Land Issues Report on Hawaii’s Energy Future
Read Life of the Land’s Energy Report From Sophie Crocker writing for Civil Beat …The main takeaway: the state can and should be generating 90 percent of its electricity by 2030 from sources such as rooftop solar and small-scale wind that power a single home or neighborhood. Referred to in the industry as distributed generation, […]
PV Limit Under Review
This is an article from Mother Nature News discussing the 15% limit on rooftop PV. Hawaii, California removing barrier limiting rooftop solar projects The nation’s top 2 solar states are re-examining rules that can discourage rooftop solar projects. Other states are expected to follow their lead. By Maria Gallucci, InsideClimate News …Utilities in California and […]
Smart Grid Project
HONOLULU — Hawaii and Japan on Tuesday agreed to build a smart grid on Maui to demonstrate how solar, wind and other renewable energy sources can be integrated into an electrical grid. The project aims to overcome one of the obstacles that prevent communities from using more renewable energy and create a model for others […]
DOE Awards Money to UH for Solar/Smart Grid
The U.S. Dept. of Energy awarded $6.1 million to the University of Hawaii for its solar PV systems, one on Maui and the other, under the umbrella of Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OGE), on the mainland. The plan is to develop and demonstrate utility-controlled smart grid-enabled inverters under the Advanced Concepts section.
Smart Grid Test Project in Maui Meadows
James Griffin of the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute spoke at MCC saying: “Maui is already a leader, but the grid here is limited,” he said. “Fluctuations for renewable energies is the reason for concern. As more renewables come online, the potential for problems increases. Griffin said his upcoming project will be to develop a pilot […]