Hawaii was forced by the global oil crisis to find alternative sources of petroleum. Oil was a key fuel source for islands. It was also imported in large amounts. Hawaii imported 29,000,000 barrels foreign crude oil in 2016. Hawaii is unlikely to have its own nuclear power facility, but it has made efforts in increasing the production of solar and wind electricity.
The Hawaiian Clean Energy Initiative was created in 2008 with the goal to meet 70% of Hawaii's electricity needs by 2030. In order to make the transition to renewable energies more feasible, the initiative brings together policymakers, business leaders, and members of the community. It was also launched in partnership by the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition to wind and solar, the Initiative also includes concentrating solar power, solar thermal energy, biofuel from algae, aquaculture, and desalinating drinking water for export.
Hawaiian Electric Companies is the largest state-owned electric utility and has set a goal to be 100% renewable by 2045. Hawaiian Electric plans to also close the last remaining coal plant in Hawaii by 2022. Hawaiian Electric, however, is still relying upon oil to charge its batteries until renewable energy can be developed. The utility expressed concerns to Hawaii Public Utilities Commission last week about the possibility of oil-fired power plants charging its battery.
Hawaiian Electric has also vowed to close the Barbers Point coal plant, which is operated on West Oahu. The company will eliminate 40 full-time jobs in the community by doing this. However, the company intends to reassign employees to other roles in Hawaii. The utility recently announced plans of reorganizing the state grid.
Hawaiian Electric Companies is involving more stakeholders in the planning process as part of its grid modernization strategy. The company presented a plan to Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. The plan laid out the company’s priorities and highlighted how a comprehensive grid modernization strategy is important. It also outlined how the company would integrate customer input into its planning process.
The company intends to put a large energy storage unit on its system. The system is essentially a giant battery. The system is designed to provide Hawaii with a reliable source of electricity after the AES coal plant closes. The system will provide more than 3 megawatts PV generation, over 4.5 megawatts energy storage and more than three thousand megawatt hours of energy storage.
Hawaiian Electric was recently ordered by The PUC to submit a report about its progress towards reaching its renewable energy goals. It also ruled that Hawaiian Electric could not require community-based renewable power programs to have storage.
The Hawaiian Electric Companies originally planned that the state would have a one way flow of energy. This plan is now being revised to address concerns about two-way flow of energy. The company plans to work together with other Hawaiian Electric Companies to improve the flow of energy. The company also offers an innovative system approach to energy planning.