| Biofuels assessment Before biofuels (e.g., biodiesel, ethanol, etc.) can be used in electric power generating units on a commercial basis, technical feasibility needs to be evaluated and demonstrated. HECO is conducting a multi-phased biofuels assessment project to obtain information on biofuel properties, supply, availability, and pricing (Phase 1); generating unit performance and emissions (Phase 2); infrastructure and operational issues (Phase 3); and utility-scale demonstration (Phase 4). Status: Phases 1 and 2 completed. Wind farm electronic shock absorber Fluctuations in system voltage and frequency caused by the rapidly changing energy output of a wind farm may require disconnection of the wind farm from the transmission system or compensation by load-following thermal generation units. To address this operational issue, HECO, HELCO, and MECO are working with a private company to develop and demonstrate an electronic shock absorber facility that effectively isolates the electric utility transmission system from wind farm energy fluctuations. A patent for the device has been awarded. Status: Demonstration unit undergoing testing at the Lalamilo substation on the Big Island. Intermittent generation assessment protocol Rapidly changing energy output of a wind farm, due to the gusty and turbulent nature of wind, on either a weakly supported transmission line or an isolated island grid system can create fluctuations in both frequency and voltage on the transmission system. To improve existing planning and evaluation tools, HECO is working with a consultant to address the impact of intermittent renewable energy generation on small, isolated electric utility systems (a unique problem faced by Hawaii utilities). Status: Ongoing. Hydrogen Power Park One of the key components necessary for commercial utilization of hydrogen is a safe and reliable hydrogen storage and distribution system. HECO and HELCO are partnering with DBEDT, HNEI, Sentech, Sunline, Stuart Energy, and UTC Fuel Cells in a project to introduce and demonstrate hydrogen-based infrastructure in Hawaii. Primary funding was received from a U.S. Department of Energy grant. DBEDT is to develop the project scope and agreements with project partners. Status: Phased projects to occur through 2006. NELHA Gateway project HELCO is partnering with the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA), DBEDT, the University of Hawaii’s Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, and Sentech in a project to construct distributed energy systems at the Gateway Center located at the entrance to NELHA’s Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology (HOST) Park. This project aims to demonstrate renewable distributed energy resources and technology. HELCO installed two 20 kW photovoltaic systems at the Gateway Center in August 2004. Status: Construction ongoing through 2006. Hydroelectric resource assessment HECO and DBEDT funded a study to assess the hydroelectric resource potential of water systems operated by the County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply, State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture, and private landowners. In addition, existing water reservoirs were evaluated to determine the feasibility of in-line hydroelectric power production and pumped storage hydroelectric applications. A similar study has been funded by HECO to assess water systems on Maui and Molokai. Status: Big Island study completed; Maui and Molokai studies ongoing. In-line hydroelectric generator project HELCO has committed funding to cost-share with the County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply for an in-line hydroelectric generator project. Based on an assessment of water systems conducted by the County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply, several feasible sites were identified. Currently, both parties are assessing next steps, including identifying the number and location(s) of the installations. Status: Project initiation pending County of Hawaii plans. Bulk energy storage system Funding under a U.S. Department of Energy program has been received to conduct a project to evaluate the ability of energy storage to alleviate electricity transmission and reliability issues on the Big Island of Hawaii. These issues are expected to increase due to growth in the use of distributed energy resources and renewable energy. Status: Completed. Distributed energy resources management as a microgrid Funding under a U.S. Department of Energy competitive grant program has been received to conduct a project in which HELCO and DBEDT will evaluate the combination of hybrid, controllable distributed energy resources (DER) systems that will encourage development of renewable and distributed resources. Hybrid DER combines distributed generation from renewable resources, electrical storage, thermal energy storage, and building energy management systems. Status: Completed. University of Hawaii Coconut Island sustainability study The University of Hawaii has indicated plans to develop sustainable technologies for its Coconut Island marine research facility. HECO is partnering with the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) to develop energy efficiency and renewable energy applications for the island. Renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and photovoltaics will be explored. Status: Project initiation pending University of Hawaii plans. PV system at Bishop Museum Increasing public education and awareness of renewable energy technology is an important step towards establishing a sustainable market for renewable energy. HECO provided funding for a grid-connected photovoltaic system and renewable energy exhibit located at Bishop Museum. The photovoltaic energy system/exhibit, named Hale Ikehu (or “Energy House”), is operational and open to the public. Visitors are able to observe a working photovoltaic system and learn about solar energy and other renewable energy technologies. Status: Operational. | More Sun Power for Schools HECO, HELCO, and MECO continue their Sun Power for Schools program with the State of Hawaii Department of Education. Through the Sun Power for Schools program, the utilities install photovoltaic systems at Hawaii public schools using voluntary customer contributions. To date, twenty six (26) public schools have received photovoltaic systems and benefited from the educational material developed as part of the program. HECO, HELCO, and MECO have extended their Sun Power for Schools program another two years (2007-2008). Status: Ongoing. Solar thermal/cooling pilot project HELCO is partnering with Pacific Energy Services, Solel, and the Outrigger Waikoloa Hotel on a project to demonstrate a solar thermal pilot system. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the technology to hotel customers. The pilot system, operational since April 2003, utilizes a solar panel to produce domestic hot water to help meet hotel hot water needs. Status: Testing of pilot system ongoing. Hilo bay front PV partnership HELCO, the County of Hawaii, and the U.S. Department of Energy Million Solar Roofs program (MSR) teamed up to design and install a solar lighted educational kiosk and solar lighting for the Hilo bay front public restrooms. The kiosk features a building integrated PV (BIPV) system that uses PV roofing shingles along with a display board featuring information on the MSR program, the Island of Hawaii MSR Partnership, and general public activities. Status: Operational; accepted by the County of Hawaii. Kona base yard grid-connected PV system To demonstrate a net energy metered PV system that would be similar to what a small commercial or residential customer might consider, HELCO has installed a 5.4 kW PV system along with battery back-up and an educational display at their Kona base yard. The system also provides HELCO staff with an opportunity to gain experience with a net energy metered PV system. Status: Operational. Maui building-integrated PV MECO is providing a solar roof to the County of Maui’s Lahaina Civic Center. The roof forms an extension to a covered walkway and will power an electronic sign as well as parking lot lighting. The solar modules used have a clear encapsulant, which allows light to outline each cell, creating an attractive roofing material that also produces electricity. Status: Operational. Kawaihae transitional shelter PV lights Since December 2002, two solar powered lights provide dusk to dawn security and improve the safety of the parking lot at the Catholic Charities Community and Immigrant Services transitional shelter Ka Hale `O Kawaihae. The lights were obtained by the shelter through a grant made by HELCO through the HEI Charitable Foundation. HELCO installed the lights as part of their ongoing community service efforts. Status: Operational. PV park lights for Puna A partnership between HELCO and the County of Hawaii was formed to provide improved lighting for two County parks located in Puna. Two pole-mounted area lights are located at Ahalanui Beach Park and a third light is located at the Pohoiki Beach Park. These installations are additional examples of the utilization of solar electricity where the provision of alternate sources of power is either too costly or otherwise impractical. Status: Operational. Wind power added to HELCO’s demonstration trailer To demonstrate how wind power can be used in an off-grid home in combination with photovoltaics, HELCO has upgraded its solar electric trailer with the installation of a small wind generator. The wind generator helps to keep the batteries charged when the solar modules are unable to, such as during periods of cloudy weather or increased energy usage. Status: Operational. Ocean wave energy demonstration Ocean wave energy is a developing technology with potential application in Hawaii. Under a U.S. Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, the Navy is partnering with Ocean Power Technologies to assess the technical and economic feasibility of ocean wave energy. An at-sea demonstration of a buoy wave energy system will be conducted at Kaneohe Marine Base (Oahu). HECO is monitoring the project, serving as a technical advisor, and providing engineering interconnection support. The OPT unit has operated for several months at sea providing mechanical energy. Several components of the unit were upgraded before it was redeployed in 2005 for electrical generation. The unit has undergone new design changes and is being targeted for redeployment in late 2006. Status: Ongoing in 2006. Navy Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) study Under a U.S. Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, the Navy issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a feasibility study to develop a computer model of OTEC systems. The Navy has selected two vendors and work on this project is ongoing. HECO is serving as a technical advisor. Status: Ongoing in 2006. Energy efficiency rebate programs extended The Public Utilities Commission recently extended HECO, HELCO and MECO’s energy efficiency rebate programs for at least two more years. Since its beginnings in 1996, our residential solar water heating program, the largest in the nation, has paid over $25 million in rebates to help 30,000 Hawaii households install solar. Over 6,000 Hawaii businesses have received an additional $24 million to help pay for energy efficient technologies such as lighting, cooling, heating and motors. Upcoming wind projects HELCO on the Big Island and MECO on Maui have plans to buy more wind power from planned wind farms in development. |
Hydrogen fuel cells are regarded as one of the most promising energy technologies for the future, for electricity generation and especially for transportation.