clean energy

Hawaii's youth join global climate strike; Symposium talks modernist architecture; AC could hurt Hawaii's energy goals; Kauai Folk Festival brings roots music to Garden Island; Hawaii Artspace Alliance looks for innovative storytellers

This week Germany technology takes the spotlight at the University of Hawaii. Denis Salle of the honorary General Counsel is a spark plug behind a conference taking place tomorrow. He has brought together green energy experts from Germany to share their experience and to see how they can help Hawaii reach its energy goals by 2045.

Hawaiʻi has all the ingredients for a thiving clean energy economy – high energy prices and an abundance of renewable energy sources. But persuading local youth to stay in the islands and help build this economy will be one of the state’s biggest challenges. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has more.

Today on Bytemarks Café, Burt and Ryan will talk to Elemental Excelerator about a report they commissioned called Transcending Oil. The guys will find out how the plan lays out a path for Hawaiʻi's clean energy economy and how everyone in Hawaiʻi can participate. 

Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act; Analysis of Republican Tax Plan; Waikiki Shipwreck Environmental Impacts

When it comes to clean energy use, Hawai‘i is in a bit of a rut. That’s according to the Blue Planet Foundation, who released their 4th annual energy report card. HPR’s Molly Solomon explains.

The nonprofit gave the Aloha State a grade of a B-minus, the same as last year. The report card presents a big picture assessment of Hawaii’s progress toward 100 percent clean energy. It focuses on five categories, including transportation, efficiency, economics, renewables, and smart grid.

The state says there’s been some significant progress on the road to Hawai‘i’s clean energy objectives.

The Hawai‘i State Energy Office released its Energy Resources Coordinator’s Annual Report for 2015.  The report outlines the State’s current energy policies in accordance with the goal to reach 100% renewable energy by 2045.

A plane powered only by the sun will continue on its way to Hawai‘i. The Solar Impulse 2 left China for the Hawaiian Islands two weeks ago, but made an unscheduled stop in Japan due to poor weather. But as HPR’s Molly Solomon reports, the plane is now ready to embark on its most challenging leg.

Its wingspan is wider than a 747, and it weighs no more than a large SUV. That’s part of the reason the Solar Impulse 2 has been waiting for the right weather window. Its light weight body makes it energy efficient, but also prone to turbulence.

The Governor signed four energy-related bills into law today, establishing the state as a leader in renewable sources for power.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.  

Hawai’i is now the first state in the nation to adopt a 100 percent renewable energy requirement for electricity generation by 2045. Governor David Ige signed the measure into law and said it raises the renewable percentage levels for all utilities going forward.

It’s a business deal that will change the face of business in the state. Florida-based NextEra Energy is buying Hawaiian Electric Industries in a $4.3 billion deal. As part of the agreement, American Savings Bank would become a separate publicly-traded company. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more.

  Earlier this week, Hawaiian Electric announced its latest plans to make broader use of renewable energy. Policies to deal with this developing sector are also under review in Australia. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more on that in today’s Asia Minute.

  Hawaii tops the charts when it comes to electric vehicles. According to Edmunds.com, electric vehicles now account for more than one and a half percent of all cars sold in Hawaii, making the state one of the most popular in the country for plug-ins. On a global scale, the market for electric vehicles is shifting. HPR’s bBill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

  India’s new prime minister was sworn in today in New Delhi. Narendra Modi’s political party was voted into power by the largest margin in thirty years. And one of his policy priorities is a bigger drive on renewable energy. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

  A Molokai High School junior -- with the help of state and national energy organizations -- plans to change the way Molokai students and residents think about energy. Catherine Cluett reports from The Molokai Dispatch.

Hawaiian Electric and the Army are one step closer to a biofuel power plant at Schofield Barracks. The proposed 50-megawatt plant would be a source of renewable energy for Oahu residents, while also providing backup power for the military. The Army is preparing to study environmental impacts. But first, it wants to hear input from the community. HPR’s Molly Solomon has more.

Public meetings will be held:

You have heard these figures before: Hawai’i burns five billion dollars worth of fossil fuel each year for 85% of the state’s energy needs. But, the Blue Planet Foundation has set a goal of transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2030, more than double the state’s clean energy objective. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka attended the Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit today to look at an old but promising technology that could lead Hawai’i to true energy independence.