Hawai`i Energy Self Reliance

There are two approaches to energy self-reliance
(1) Incrementally moving forward, picking low hanging fruit, increasing the use of efficiencies and renewables a little at a time.
(2) Assuming that we are 100% self-reliant in 2020, and looking back to see how we did it. 
This site is dedicated to the second approach.

Why are we doing this?
We are the only environmental group in the state to intervene in dockets before the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission (PUC). We have been and are in dockets dealing with planning, restructuring, transmission, generation, energy efficiency. We have provided expert witnesses on ocean thermal energy conversion, wave energy systems, sea water air conditioning, biofuels, climate change, economics, environmental policy, externalities and environmental justice.

We will file our  comprehensive state-wide self-reliance plan, testimonies, exhibits and work papers to the Hawaii PUC in the Spring of 2008. HECO will file their Integrated Resource Plan at the same time. Then we will each ask questions through discovery, which will lead to a contested case hearing.

Our analysis will include a full discussion on Renewable Energy Resources: Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Transportation; Externalities - shifting costs from the polluter to the taxpayer; Environmental Justice - building undesirable facilities in poor minority communities; Life Cycle (cradle to grave) Analysis: accounting for all  impacts from resource extraction, product development, operation and maintenance, to disposal; Impacts: Environmental, Social, Cultural, Aesthetics, Climate Change.

Our report may include the applicability of various options for Hawai`i, including: Microwind; Massive solar panel proliferation; Energy Storage; Carbon Sequestration; Distributed Generation, Central Generation; decentralization; Rate Structure (Time of Use Rates, Green Energy Rates); Energy Efficiency (Light Bulbs: CFL. LEDs; Solar Drying -- clothesline; construction/building codes; LEED, green building; zero waste); Financial: (incentives; disincentives; rebates, automobile feebates, carbon taxes); conservation; ocean, land, sun, wind (on-shore, off-shore), volcano, biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel), OTEC, SWAC, roofs, microgrids, hybrid systems, hydrogen economy; fuel cells, peak oil, geothermal, aquaculture, algae to biofuel or hydrogen, methane, naphtha, landfill gases, biorefineries, smart meters, electric cars, Requests for Proposals, Competitive Bidding; Transportation (multi-modal transportation options, land, air, water; alternative energy v. renewable energy); Rate Structure, Net Metering, Plug-in Vehicles.

Hawai`i  Renewable  Energy  Potential


Megawatts (MW)
 Kaua`i
 O`ahu
 Maui
 Moloka`i
 Lana`i
 Hawai`i
 State
Hydroelectric




15
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) 1000
 1000


1000
Photovoltaic
 500
 2000
 500
 250
 250
 6000
Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC)
40




Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) 1000
 1200
 2000
 1000
2000
Wind Energy (Onshore)
 15
 80
 110
 180
90
Wind Energy (Offshore)
200
 200



Other *
 5
 20
 5

5
Total Renewable Energy Potential 2500+
 4500+
 2500+
 1400*
 250
 9000+
 20000+

* Other: (1) waste-to-energy (discounted by the amount of fossil-fuel-derived products in the waste stream); (2) waste-to-biodiesel and other biofuels; (3) land fill gas to energy; (4) gas and heat recovery from Sewage Treatment Plants; (5) the use of pumped storage hydropower (PSH), batteries, compressed air and other storage devices to convert excess night-time power for day-time use; etc.   
                                     
Hawai`i  Existing  Capacity


Megawatts (MW) Kaua`i
 O`ahu
 Maui
 Moloka`i
 Lana`i
 Hawai`i
 State
Conventional oil-fired steam units
1,106.8 35.9

62.2 1,204.9
Diesel

24.6 82.5 9.6 10.3 30.8 157.8
Combustion turbines (peaking units)
101.8



101.8
Combustion turbines


2.2
88.9 91.1
Combined-cycle unit

113.6


113.6
Firm contract power
434.0 16.0

84.7 534.7
Total
1,667.2 248.0 11.8 10.3 266.6 2,203.9


Hawai`i  Historical  Demand
Demand
 Kaua`i
 O`ahu
 Maui Moloka`i Lana`i Hawai`i State
Peak Demand 2006
1,266.0 206.4  6.2 5.5 201.3 1,685.4
Peak Demand 2005

1230




Peak Demand 2004
1281












Kilowatt-hours Sales 2006






Kilowatt-hours Sales 2005
Kilowatt-hours Sales 2004














                
            

Source Material

Hydroelectric

(1)  Kauai (76.4 MKH/yr:) Oahu (1.6 MKH/yr:) Molokai (13.7 MKH/yr:) Maui (44.0 MKH/yr:) Hawaii (59.4 MKH/yr:).
Hydroelectric resources on Kauai equal 72 percent of that island's electricity needs; on Molokai, 40 percent; on the Big Island, 20 percent; on Maui, 18 percent. (Source: Hydroelectric Power in Hawaii - a Reconnaissance Survey (1981) W.A. Hirai & Associates www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/hydro81.pdf)

(2) Hydroelectric Hawaii Umauma Streat 13.8 MW Kauai Wailua River 6.6 MW (Source: Hawaii Renewable Energy Resource Assessment. Karen Conover. Global Energy Concepts. Presented to Hawaii Wind Working Group. April 8, 2002)

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

(1) OTEC (on-shore 20 MW; off-shore 100 MW per site); Hawaii: Keahole (NELHA), Ka’u coast  (South Point); Kauai: northern and southern coastlines.; Maui: Northeast coast ( Hana); Oahu: Kahe. (Source: A Catalog of Potential Sites for Renewable Energy in Hawaii  (December 2006) by Global Energy Concepts, LLC for DLNR & DBEDT  re Act 95, SLH 2004. www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/cpsre07.pdf)

(2) Q.  Are you currently consulting with or meeting with OTEC companies? A. Over the last couple of years, I think we have met with at least two.  Two that I'm familiar with, maybe three. ... But at least Krock and Nicholson ones I'm aware of. (Source: PUC 05-0145 Proposed HECO 2009 Power Plant Evidentiary Hearing Transcript: Robbie Alm 368:24-369:12)

(3) Well, we have proposed; that is to say, my little group of companies have proposed such a -- such a system for offshore off -- off Kahe. Q. But it's not coming online anywhere in 2009- 2010 time frame? A.  Well, it could be. Q.  But not right now? A. No.  We don't have any contract with that. No. (Source: PUC 05-0145 Proposed HECO 2009 Power Plant Evidentiary Hearing Transcript: Krock 664:25-665:7)

(4) Q.   You mentioned that this could be done in a 2009-2010 time frame, a certain project could be up. What would it take to get that done? A.  Simply an agreement to do it. Q.  Between? A.  Between my group of companies and Hawaiian Electric. Q. And what would be -- what do you see as -- A.  Or -- or conversely, it could be a Navy project, for instance. Q.  What do you see as the major obstacles to reaching an agreement? A.  Right now, we have proposed this.  And an obstacle seems to be that there is a desire to have other systems work elsewhere before they -- they're -- they're done here at that scale.  Other systems are working.  For instance, the Kalina cycle has ten years of commercial application already in waste heat management.  Siemens just built 50-megawatt-size plants using waste heat in Europe. There are Kalina cycle plants in Iceland, in Japan, in California, and several others being built. So it's exact identical technology to what we are proposing and using the same companies, as a matter of fact.  That would -- so that would be available through this.  So there is a -- I suppose a difference of -- of view as to whether that's established technology or not. (Source: PUC 05-0145 Proposed HECO 2009 Power Plant Evidentiary Hearing Transcript:  Krock  667:1-668:3)

(5) The wave and OTEC resources for tropical islands, and specifically for the Hawaiian islands, has been shown to be virtually boundless. (Source: Hawaii Energy Strategy - Project 3. Renewable Energy Resource Assessment and Development Program. Nov 1995. Prepared for DBEDT by RLA Consulting.  www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/ page 6)

(6) After operating successfully offshore Keahole Point from August through November 1979, Mini-OTEC proved the OTEC concept; its remarkable success led to increased worldwide interest in OTEC. Mini-OTEC was decommissioned in 1979, but now awaits a possible second deployment. In the mid-70s, the U.S. Department of Energy began looking for a suitable site for OTEC testing. Hawaii’s choice, the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELH) research corridor, satisfied all DOE criteria: excellent water mass properties, bathymetry profiles, favorable weather conditions, high annual solar radiation, accessibility to transportation, land availability, and technical and industrial support. NELH is located at Keahole Point, Hawaii.  (Source: Progress Report on Renewable Energy in Hawaii. Mary Troy and Nancy Ellen Brown HNEI 1982)

(7) OCEES Motion to Intervene in HECO IRP-4

Photovoltaic (1.5 MW)

(1) Mauna Lani Resort (80 kW of Solar Panels on Roof and over 500 kW total on property); Kauai: Various projects being planned total almost 500 kW; Ford Island, Pearl Harbor (309 kW); Parker Ranch (200 kW photovoltaic tracking system coupled with a 500 kW wind turbine); Solar Water Heaters: Approximately 80,000 homes, multi-unit dwellings, and institutional facilities   (Source: A Catalog of Potential Sites for Renewable Energy in Hawaii  (December 2006) by Global Energy Concepts, LLC for DLNR & DBEDT  re Act 95, SLH 2004. www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/cpsre07.pdf)

(2) Photovoltaic Hawaii N Kohala 5 MW Oahu Pearl Harbor 5 MW (Source: Hawaii Renewable Energy Resource Assessment. Karen Conover. Global Energy Concepts. Presented to Hawaii Wind Working Group. April 8, 2002)

(3) Sunshine is one of the most plentiful and obvious of Hawaii's natural energy resources. Direct solar energy is measured in terms of incoming solar radiation, or insolation, and Hawaii is among the best insolation areas in the nation. Adjectives like plentiful, free, inexhaustible, and non-polluting can
be used to describe direct solar energy, thus its staunch supporters.  (Source: Progress Report on Renewable Energy in Hawaii. Mary Troy and Nancy Ellen Brown HNEI 1982)

(4) PowerLight
(a) US Navy, Pearl Harbor. Location: Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, HI. Completed: September, 2005. System Size: 309 kW. PV Surface Area: 31,000 square feet. www.powerlight.com/success/pearlharbor.php

(b) Alameda County. Location: Oakland, Alameda, Hayward, Fremont and Dublin, CA Completed: August, 2005. System Size: 2.3 MW. PV Surface Area: 5.72 acres. www.powerlight.com/success/alameda.php

(c) US Navy, Coronado. Location: Coronado, CA. Completed: September, 2002. System Size: 924 kW. PV Surface Area: 81,470 square feet. www.powerlight.com/success/coronado.php

(d) US Postal Service. Location: West Sacramento, CA. Completed: September, 2004. System Size: 403 kW. PV Surface Area: 28,000 square feet. www.powerlight.com/success/usps.php

(e) Napa Valley College. Location: Napa, CA. Completed: February, 2006. System Size: 1.2 MW. PV Surface Area: Total of 150,000 square feet. www.powerlight.com/success/napavalley.php

(f) California State University, East Bay. Location: Hayward, CA. Completed: March, 2004. System Size: 1 MW. PV Surface Area: 76,400 square feet. www.powerlight.com/success/calstate.php

(g) Bavaria Solarpark. Location: Bavaria, Germany. Completed: 2004. System Size: 10 MW. PV Surface Area: 63 acres. www.powerlight.com/success/bavaria.php

(h) Serpa Solar Power Plant (planned) 90 acres. 11 MW. Portugal. www.powerlight.com/success/pdf/Serpa_Fact_Sheet_A4.pdf


Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC)

(1) We've identified perhaps hundred thousand tons of seawater air conditioning potential on Oahu. ... Well, our estimates are that approximately 64 megawatts for a hundred thousand tons.  Now, this is a daytime peak.  Perhaps a smaller amount during the evening peak.  Perhaps 70 percent of that.  (Source: PUC 05-0145 Proposed HECO 2009 Power Plant Evidentiary Hearing Transcript: David Rezachek 615:1-15)

(2) We initially started with downtown Honolulu because of the high density of the cooling  load and the close proximity to the cold water source.  We've also identified Waikiki as a very good area and perhaps better than downtown with respect to the utilization of the pipe.  There are other areas such as the airport, Hickam, and Pearl Harbor that could be developed into a system. And as the other areas within Honolulu, say Kakaako and Ko'olina, develop further and have a greater density need -- or cooling need, they -- they would be available or potential candidates for air -- seawater air conditioning. (Source: PUC 05-0145 Proposed HECO 2009 Power Plant Evidentiary Hearing Transcript: David Rezachek 615:18-616:5)


Wave Energy Conversion (WEC)

(1) Hawaii: Northern Coast: Hilo Bay and Kawaihae; Kauai: Northern coastline - Kapaa; Southern coastline; Maui: Northern coastline; Northeastern coastline; Oahu: Northeast coast Significant wave resources identified between Kahuku Point and Makapu Point. (Source: A Catalog of Potential Sites for Renewable Energy in Hawaii  (December 2006) by Global Energy Concepts, LLC for DLNR & DBEDT  re Act 95, SLH 2004. www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/cpsre07.pdf)

(2) In 1992, George Hagerman, of SEASUN Power Systems, conducted a "Wave Energy Resource Assessment for the State of Hawaii'' on behalf of DBEDT. According to Hagerman's definitive study, " … recovering only 5 - 10% of the wave energy potential available in outer shelf waters off the northern coastlines of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii could meet the total electrical demands of these islands. Less than one half of one percent of Molokai's wave energy resource could meet the electricity needs of that island. Except for Oahu, where electricity demand is comparable to two-thirds of the available resource, wave energy can be withdrawn at very low levels and still make a substantial contribution to island energy supply."  (Source: Feasibility of Developing Wave Power as a Renewable Energy Resource for Hawaii  DBEDT, 2002)

(3) The wave and OTEC resources for tropical islands, and specifically for the Hawaiian islands, has been shown to be virtually boundless. (Source: Hawaii Energy Strategy - Project 3. Renewable Energy Resource Assessment and Development Program. Nov 1995. Prepared for DBEDT by RLA Consulting.  www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/ page 6)

Wind Energy

(1) Maui: (100 MW): Ukumehame Kaheawa Pastures  30 MW (online 2006)  20 – 1.5 MW GE; Ulupalakua Ranch Auwahi Wind Project 40 MW (early planning stages); Hawaii (40 MW): Kahua Ranch: A 10 MW wind project was approved by the PUC and a power  purchase contract was signed in 2001; however, the contract was cancelled; South Point Pakini Nui  20.5 MW (expected to be online in 2007)  14 – 1.5 MW GE; Upolo Point Hawi  10.56 MW (online 2006)  16 – 660 kW Vestas. Kauai (15 MW); TBD Kauai Wind Farm  10.5 – 15 MW  (contract awarded) (Source: A Catalog of Potential Sites for Renewable Energy in Hawaii  (December 2006) by Global Energy Concepts, LLC for DLNR & DBEDT  re Act 95, SLH 2004. www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/cpsre07.pdf)

(2) Maui  Ukumehame Kaheawa Pastures  30 MW --> 60 MW. (Source: New Maui wind farm seeks to double in size. http://starbulletin.com/2006/09/20/news/story05.html)

(3) Wind: Hawaii: Kahua Ranch 10 MW Lalamilo Wells 50 MW North Kohala 15 MW; Kauai: N Hanapepe 10 MW Port Allen 5 MW; Maui: McGregor Point 20 MW NW Haleakala 50 MW Puunene 30 MW; Oahu: Kahuku 80 MW (Source: Hawaii Renewable Energy Resource Assessment. Karen Conover. Global Energy Concepts. Presented to Hawaii Wind Working Group. April 8, 2002)

(4) Kapalua (10 MW) PUC approved PPA 1984; Molokai (1 MW) PUC approved PPA 1991 (Source: Art Seki Presented to Hawaii Wind Working Group. April 8, 2002)

(5) On Oahu (Honolulu County), the long Koolau mountain rampart and shorter Waianae Range enhance trades to class 6, although the rugged topography, watershed value, and turbulent air flows over these ranges may preclude practical application of wind power generation. The northeastern (Kahuku) and southeastern (Koko-head) tips of Oahu have areas of class 7 and broad areas of class 3 or higher. A class 3 and 4 area exists at Kaena Point on the island's northwestern tip, and class 3 areas exist along the southern coast west of Honolulu and southeastern coast north of Makapuu Point.
Molokai is unique among the major Hawaiian Islands in that it lies almost parallel to the prevailing trades. Exposed areas on most of the island are estimated to have class 3 or above, and much of the northwestern quadrant is class 4 or above, becoming class 7 at Ilio Point. Eolian features are found in northwestern Molokai. A narrow belt of class 4 lies on the southeastern coast.
The primary wind resource on Maui lies in the central valley where trades accelerate between Haleakala and west Maui Volcano existing as class 5 and 6 near Maalaea Bay. Secondary power resources exist at the northern (class 3 and 4) and southeastern (class 3) tips.
Lanai lies partly in the wind shadow of western Maui. Nevertheless, deformed trees indicate that winds are slightly accelerated (class 4) over the northwestern third of Lanai. This area is exposed to winds funneling through the Pailolo Channel between Maui and Molokai. Exposed areas over the remainder of Lanai are estimated to have class 3 power.
Hawaii consists of five major mountains and the saddles between them. The tall volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, provide a barrier to the trade winds, producing a stagnation which extends well upwind of Hilo. Trades diverted to the north of Mauna Kea accelerate through the Waimea saddle and over the Kohala Mountains, producing a significant area of class 7 wind power and a broad area of class 3 or higher wind power. A smaller area of high wind resource, up to class 7, exists at the south cape.  (Source: Wind Energy Resource Atlas of the US rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas/chp3.html)

(6) Hawaii has some of the best wind regimes in the world. Northeasterly trade winds blow across the state approximately 70 percent of the time, and mean annual wind speeds are between 16 and 24 mph at numerous sites. Hawaii’s total wind energy potential is equal to many times the state’s needs conjunction with HNEI, has been leading a resource assessment program for the past decade. (Source: Progress Report on Renewable Energy in Hawaii. Mary Troy and Nancy Ellen Brown HNEI 1982)

(7) In 1995, Global Energy Concepts (GEC) conducted feasibility studies of potential wind energy projects throughout Hawai’i. The study included a site on the island of Moloka’i near Ilio Point. However, GEC classified the location as unfeasible ...  estimated project cost of $291 million for a 180 MW wind farm and related transmission infrastructure.  "Economic Feasibility of Utility Scale Wind at Ilio Point, Moloka'i". Keith Stockton, July, 2003,  (2003)   dbedt, www.sciencedirect.com/

Peak Demand
HECO 1281 net / 1327 gross (October 12, 2004)
HECO 1230 net / 1273 gross (September 14, 2005)
Source: AOS 2006

henry.lifeoftheland@gmail.com