Energy News
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35th Annual Photovoltaic Specialist Conference
Highlights of the conference and
links to several videos taken during the conference.
Mahalo to Henry Curtis, Life of the Land, for this posting.
Pacific Biodiesel receives grant for Aina Mo' Soil Amendment Project
Pacific Biodiesel was awarded a federal USDA Small Business Innovation Research Phase I grant for the Aina Mo' Soil Amendment Project. The project, which had an official start date of June 15, will focus on the development of a unique soil amendment that can also serve as a control for the apple snails in Hawaii's wetland taro production based on the glycerin co-product from biodiesel production.
Alternative energy needs storage options
"An off-grid electron is a tremendously more valuable electron than a grid-tied electron," said Garth Corey, known as "Mr. Battery" at Sandia National Laboratory in New Mexico. The grid-tied electron has to be used right now. A stored electron is more flexible. See also – Lead-acid battery has competition
Moratorium sought on solar installation
Hawaiian Electric told the state Public Utilities Commission earlier this month that it wants to suspend adding new photovoltaic systems to the grid because the growing number of renewable-energy systems poses a threat to the reliability and stability of its transmission system. It is asking the PUC to agree to the moratorium while a group is convened to study reliability issues.
As a counterpoint to HECO's position, consider this report from the Rocky Mountain Institute:
Keeping the Lights On While Transforming Electric Utilities
Electric utilities operate now much as they did a century ago—but the environment in which they operate is changing dramatically. Potential competitors armed with new technologies, new business models, and greater cultural agility are emerging in many sectors.
Council bill would allow wind-powered generators in all county zoning districts
Cities and counties across the United States have been busy the past couple years passing ordinances that allow homes, farms and businesses to install small wind energy systems, or turbines, to meet their electricity needs. Maui County could be next. It's part of a much larger effort by county planners to update and streamline the Maui County Code.
Oregon plant showcased as "Biodiesel Survivor" in August issue of Biofuels Journal
Even with an estimated 90% of the biodiesel industry shut down due to the biodiesel federal excise tax credit expiring, Sequential Pacific Biodiesel attributes its survival to a community-based strategy of sourcing its feedstock locally, selling its biodiesel in nearby markets, and benefitting from the state's green incentives. About 90% of the feedstock comes from yellow grease (used cooking oil) and the rest from regionally grown canola and camelina.
Interisland Cable Survey Report Completed
The State of Hawai‘i has announced the completion of the Interisland Cable Project Ocean Floor Survey. The survey indicates that placement of undersea electrical transmission cables is physically possible between the islands of O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, and Lana‘i. The cable is an integral part of a proposed Interisland Wind project that would transmit up to 400 megawatts of renewable electricity generated from wind farms on Moloka‘i and Lana‘i to O‘ahu and potentially to Maui.
USDA Rural Development program now accepting energy applications
The Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP, is looking for projects to be awarded in 2010. Businesses and producers in rural Hawaii and the Western Pacific looking to create renewable energy, or make energy-saving improvements may be able to finance up to 75 percent of eligible project costs through the program. Stand-alone grants can be awarded up to 25 percent of total eligible costs.
Osmotic power showing progress, promise
Norway has opened the world's first osmotic power plant, which produces emissions-free electricity by mixing fresh water and sea water through a special membrane. The plant is driven by osmosis that naturally draws fresh water across a membrane and toward the seawater side. This creates higher pressure on the sea water side, driving a turbine and producing electricity.
Cold ocean water to be turned into air conditioning
The long-studied cooling project by Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning would extend plumbing nearly five miles offshore, suck 45-degree water from 1,800 feet deep, circulate frosty water into buildings' existing A/C systems and then dump it back into the sea. Hawaii's government recently approved an environmental study of the project, and the company said it plans to begin construction next year, with the 40-building system expected to come online in early 2012.
Creating a new path to reduce energy footprint
Henry Curtis, executive director of Life of the Land, asks readers to help "build our vision of tomorrow, a decentralized renewable-energy world."
Maui can get most energy in renewable ways
Maui residents can meet the goal of getting 95 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020, but the community will need to tap into all potential renewable power sources to do so, according to a report by the Maui County Energy Alliance.
That will mean finding ways of encouraging more conservation, more development of wind farms and more use of photovoltaic technology in the short term, and exploring how to develop geothermal energy in a way that is culturally sensitive in the long term, according to the report. It also encourages Maui County to look into harnessing hydroelectric power from its water systems, and developing biogas production and waste-to-energy systems in its sewage plants and landfills.
Forget gas, batteries — pee is new power source
Urine-powered cars, homes and personal electronic devices could be available soon with new technology developed by scientists from Ohio University.
Using a nickel-based electrode, the scientists can create large amounts of cheap hydrogen from urine that could be burned or used in fuel cells.
"One cow can provide enough energy to supply hot water for 19 houses," said Gerardine Botte, a professor at Ohio University developing the technology. "Soldiers in the field could carry their own fuel."
Maui County Energy Expo 2009 to Highlight Alternative Energy Plans, Technologies
The Maui County Energy Expo 2009, "Our Energy Future-Concept to Reality," will be held September 10-11, 2009 at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa. Pre-conference activities are scheduled for Wednesday, September 9.
As a follow-up to the sold-out 2007 Energy Expo, the 2009 event will include speakers, panel discussions, exhibits featuring state-of-the-art products and technologies, presentations by the Maui County Energy Alliance Working Groups and a public comment session on an "Energy Action Plan" being developed for Maui County.
"We have made good progress toward becoming more energy self-sufficient since launching the first Energy Expo in 2007," said Mayor Charmaine Tavares. "Reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuel is one of my administration's top priorities, and the Expo is one way that government, the private sector and members of the community can work together to shape our county's energy future."
For more information and to register online, visit www.mauicounty.gov/energyexpo.
Hydrogen power plant proposed for Molokai
A New Mexico-based energy technology company has chosen Molokai for one of four sites on which it plans to build what it calls the world's first utility-scale, zero-emissions hydrogen power plants. The Molokai plant, proposed by Jetstream Wind Inc., would use electricity from wind or solar or a combination of the two to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen would then be burned in a turbine - similar to what is used in a natural-gas-fired power plant - and would generate enough electricity to power 6,000 homes and businesses, the company said.
A Clean Energy Future For Maui and Hawaii
Download a whitepaper (PDF file) written by Creative Conflict Solutions which documents the opinions of key stakeholders in Hawaii’s clean energy movement,
including: solar, wind and geothermal contractors, a bio-fuel company owner, electric utility
administrators, the Mayor of Maui County, leaders of non-profits invested in sustainable living
and energy innovation, environmentalists and native Hawaiians. Through an in-depth interview
process, each of these stakeholders spoke of their visions, their interests and their issues.
Presentation casts sunlight on island solar possibilities
the Hawaii PV Coalition spent Saturday morning on Maui lobbying local politicians and media members to promote policies and laws that would make the use of widespread alternative energy - particularly solar - more reality than vision.
State grant to help train for Maui green jobs
A $100,000 state grant to provide training for green jobs will unite the forces of Maui Economic Opportunity Inc., which received the grant from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Maui Community College's VITEC and the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui. They will develop two programs in small business and residential energy management, and in commercial building energy management. MEO Chief Executive Officer Sandy Baz noted that next year all residential construction will require solar water heating, which will require trained people to maintain. The program will begin to accept students in January, with the first class scheduled for completion in March. The second group will graduate in July. The partners are forming an advisory council of interested business leaders to ensure the curriculum will meet business needs.
First phase of solar photovoltaic array for Makena plant dedicated
The first phase of a solar photovoltaic array that will make the Makena Resort's wastewater treatment plant the state's first net-zero energy reclamation plant was dedicated Friday.
Hawaii paying nearly twice market rate for solar power
The state signed 20-year power purchase agreements with Hoku Scientific Inc. last fall. It failed to get a large number of competitive bids, which could have lowered the price. The state is paying 38 cents a kilowatt hour on Maui and Kaua'i for solar power. In Hilo the rate is 33 cents a kilowatt hour, and in Kona the rate is 32 cents a kilowatt hour. Hawaiian Electric Co.'s rates for medium and large customers on Maui this month vary from 16 cents to 21 cents a kilowatt hour.
County's Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Averages 64 MPG
The County-owned Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle achieved an average performance of 64 miles per gallon, according to the first monthly report from the U.S. Department of Energy. The report, which provides data for the North American PHEV Demonstration, also lists a high of 97mpg for city driving and a low of 40mpg for highway driving.
HECO plans to buy wind energy on Lanai, Molokai
"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. This agreement provides some certainty and assurances for us to continue to advance our wind farm proposal to harness Lanai's wind resources."
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Accepting Applications NOW
Only rural small businesses and farmers/ranchers are eligible. To qualify as a farmer/rancher, the entity, including corporate parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries, must derive at least 50% of total income from the farm operations. To qualify as a small business, the entity, including corporate parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries, must meet the definition based on the Small Business Administration guidelines.
(Download PDf file here)
A Glimpse of the Energy Future
"If we continue to construct the same kind of inefficient buildings
that put high demands on the power grid, we will have to build an
additional supply-side infrastructure to serve them. What we need is to
fundamentally change the way we approach the construction and operation
of our buildings. If done right, we, as a nation, can have our cake and
eat it too."
Maui Becomes Power Player
The State of Hawai'i will take part in an innovative $15 million
project aiming to reduce peak electricity demand by at least 15
percent. Hawai'i is one of nine states selected by the DOE to
participate in a five-year, $50 million project designed to modernize
the country's electrical grid system
A proposal to build wind and wave energy generation platforms within a Hawai‘i whale sanctuary
Grays Harbor Ocean Energy Co. wants to build up to 100 raised
platforms at Penguin Bank in the channel between O'ahu and Moloka'i.
The area is used by humpback whales, Hawaiian monk seals and for
commercial and recreational fishing.
"Great project, wrong location," said Irene Bowie, executive director of Maui Tomorrow.
"It's going to be a big, big problem," said Moloka'i resident Halona
Kaopuiki, whose family has fished the area for four generations. "We're
really against this."
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The wind farm that Maui Tomorrow and others worked hard to get online has now decided to expand.
Can algae save the world again?
The microscopic green plants cleaned up the earth's atmosphere millions of years ago and scientists hope they can do it now by helping remove greenhouse gases and create new oil reserves.
Investing in ourselves
Senator J. Kalani English offers his support to three Molokai businesses that use new photovoltaic systems to reduce their electric bills.
Wind, Waves, and Watts
Grays Harbor Ocean Energy Company up in Washington state is proposing offshore wind farms for the NewEngland coast. One item of interest for island residents is that the supports anchoring each wind turbine platform to the ocean floor would be designed in a way to turn wave action into electricity as well.
Victorino seeks to promote development of solar energy facilities
Councilmember Michael P. Victorino has introduced legislation to allow solar energy facilities in agricultural zoning districts throughout Maui County. Victorino noted that his legislation was made possible by Act 31 (2008), which was introduced at the State Legislature by the Joint House Senate Majority Caucus and was signed into law by Gov. Lingle.
Billionaire wind-farm developer urges Hawaii to declare energy emergency
The billionaire developer of a planned Lana'i wind farm that would
supply power to O'ahu is urging Gov. Linda Lingle to declare a state of
emergency to combat soaring energy prices by fast-tracking big
clean-energy projects. David Murdock, who owns 98 percent of Lana'i and
is chairman and CEO of Castle & Cooke Inc., said his wind farm
project that would supply up to 20 percent of O'ahu's electricity needs
will take five to seven years to gain regulatory approvals - too long
in a state where overdependency on $144-a-barrel oil is hurting the
economy.
Algae may be biofuel source
The highest producing oil palm farmers get 600 gallons an acre per
year. Algae can produce 5,000 to 8,000 gallons per acre annually. It
has the attractive environmental side effect of being able to absorb
carbon dioxide waste from industrial facilities such as power plants.
The production of biodiesel and other fuels from algae could reduce
global-warming emissions if paired with a nearby power plant.
"That's the exciting thing about algae and why everyone is so
interested," said Ed Shonsey, chief executive officer of HR
Biopetroleum. "It's ideal for Hawai'i because no fresh water is
required, no ag land is required and it cleans up the environment."
(read also – Hawaii scientists see algae's 'green' potential)
Advocating 'Soft Energy' – Amory Lovins foresees a green Hawai'i
Amory Lovins, cofounder of the influential Rocky Mountain Institute,
spurred Mauians to think differently about energy at the fourth Dowling
Company, Inc. sponsored Focus Green Lecture on March 18, at the Maui
Arts & Cultural Center's McCoy Studio Theater. Lovins is a leading
proponent of "soft energy"-meaning using renewable energy resources
instead of depleting finite resources. He has consistently argued for
environmental protection as a path to prosperity: clean and renewable
power, hybrid cars and green building industries all create jobs.
Clearing the Air: Wind Power and Reliability
Wind power is currently supplying 48 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of
electricity annually in the U.S., powering the equivalent of over 4.5
million homes. Wind power is an important part of electric utility
generation portfolios. Yet some question whether wind power, being a
variable resource (meaning it generates electricity when the wind is
blowing, not on demand) can be relied upon as part of a system that
provides reliable electricity to consumers without interruption. Based
on a growing body of analytical and operational experience, the answer
is a resounding "yes."
PUC increases limits for renewable energy
The move is expected to increase the excess energy fed back into the
grid by customers. Residents and businesses with electrical generators
powered by renewable sources, such as solar or wind energy, will be
allowed to generate more power under a recent ruling by the Public
Utilities Commission. The ruling doubles the limit on net energy
metering generators to 100 kilowatts for customers on Oahu, Maui and
the Big Island. Current limits of 50 kilowatts remain for Kauai.
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Three wave turbines are planned for Maui waters
Waves near the surfing area known as Jaws, just off Pauwela Point on
Maui's northern coast, would be used to generate enough electricity to
power about 1,600 homes on the Valley Isle. The plan was announced by
state officials and executives from Oceanlinx, an Australian renewable
energy company. The company now is performing preliminary site work,
such as environmental assessments, and expects to have the generators
in place by 2009.
Waterwheel invention promises cheap electricity
It's a mechanical problem that's troubled scientists since Archimedes
and the ancient Greeks but now an electrician has come up with a new
invention that could help save consumers thousands of pounds in energy
bills. Scotsman Ian Gilmartin, 60, and his friend Bob Cattley, 58, both
from Kendal, Cumbria have invented a mini-waterwheel capable of
supplying enough electricity to power a house - for free. The
contraption is designed to be used in small rivers or streams - ideal
for potentially thousands of homes across Britain. It is the first
off-the-shelf waterwheel system which can generate a good supply of
electricity from a water fall as little as 20cm.
What's your energy footprint?
ChooseRenewables.com offers free evaluations of your energy usage, and can show you ways to
reduce that level. Users can receive a free evaluation of potential
solar and wind options they may be eligible to install at their home or
business.
Sierra Club information on biofuels
Karen Chun, Sierra Club Maui board member and webmaster, has put
together an impressive compilation of articles and information on
biofuels here. Chun also offered conservation strategies as keys to our energy sustainability.
Energy from Hot Air
Former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore has called for an "electranet" that
would allow homeowners to "put up photovoltaic generators and small
wind [turbines]... without any artificial caps." Unfortunately, he did
not explain that Europe already practices the system he proposes, which
has made countries like Denmark, Spain and Germany leaders in wind
power. In fact, it has made cloudy Germany the world's solar leader,
too, and its biomass sector is also booming. The U.S. could learn a lot
from Europe, if we would only look.
Community Supported Energy Offers a Third Way
Although we have the necessary resources and technology to meet most of
our energy needs in the future with renewable energy, until fairly
recently one key strategy has, for the most part, been overlooked in
North America. This strategy involves the cooperative or collaborative
installation and ownership of renewable energy projects at the local,
community level.
Hyrids, Biofuels and Other False Idols – What's Being Left Out of Solutions to Fossil Fuel?
Everyone from the Republicans to Democrats to major environmental
groups are singing hosannas to biofuels and hybrid cars as the
salvation from peak oil and global warming. Will trusting corporations
to manufacture environmentally friendly cars make a dent in the world's
ecological crises? Or could the "solutions" actually be making the
problem worse? The question which we obviously need to address is how
to improve the quality of life while decreasing the quantity of useless
junk and not throwing anyone out of work. But unflinching loyalty to a
growth economy prevents corporate environmentalists from searching for
serious transportation options.