Renewable Energy

Political commentators in Australia are moving on from their initial shock about this weekend’s elections. The center-right party of Prime Minister Scott Morrison stunned political pollsters by defeating the opposition Labor Party. One likely future battleground: renewable energy.

On this Earth Day, renewable energy is in focus around much of the world. While Hawaii is a leader in some aspects of energy policy, clean energy is also gaining traction on the Korean peninsula in both the south and the north.

Kauaʻi’s electrical utility has a different history from the rest of the islands and different opportunities. Pacific Business News editor in chief A. Kam Napier has more on what that has meant for its customer-owners.

  Over Thanksgiving week Hawaiian Electric announced it reached an agreement to purchase power from Eurus Energy America. The company will build and operate a windfarm on Palehua Ridge above the existing fossil fuel powerplant.

The State Department of Health is holding a public hearing in Hilo on Wednesday regarding the future of a new power plant. The Hu Honua Bioenergy facility on the Hamakua Coast would burn eucalyptus trees to generate electricity. Some say that its clean, renewable energy, but other community members have serious environmental concerns.

Solar power continues to become a bigger part of the energy picture for Hawai‘i and for the country. Part of that growth is pushed by developments in technology—from advances in batteries to a different kind of progress now reported in Australia. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Renewable sources are a growing part of the state’s energy consumption. That’s especially true on Kauaʻi, where solar remains a key ingredient—but not the only one.

Ted Peck is a veteran of the energy business in Hawai‘i. He's founder of a renewable energy company called Holu Energy, and has made a career out of following hunches.

Today on Bytemarks Café, Burt and Ryan will learn about the upcoming Maui Energy Conference; now in its fifth year. They will find out how the conference has helped policy makers and businesses pave the path to the state's goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2045. 

Community solar is poised to launch in Hawaii as early as this year, and putting the pieces together to make it happen is turning out to be quite a puzzle. Pacific Business News editor in chief A. Kam Napier has more.

Utility companies around the world are trying to manage a transition to more use of renewable energy. But they are moving at different speeds, and sometimes with different goals. Under a law passed a couple of years ago, the state of Hawai‘i is committed to 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2045. In Australia, the policy debate has taken a different turn. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Electric America; Clean Power Plan in Hawaii; Combating Little Fire Ants

The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative held its annual meeting last night in Līhu‘e. It’s the only electric utility in the state that is not part of the Hawai‘i Electric Family. It’s also a national leader when it comes to approaching a goal of 100-percent renewable energy. HPR contributing correspondent Scott Giarman looks at the island’s energy past, present and future from Kaua‘i.

More than a third of the electricity generated by Hawai‘i’s largest utility last year came from renewable sources. Hawaiian Electric says the biggest source of renewable energy across the state is solar, followed by wind. A massive new project in Australia focuses on a different part of renewable energy: battery storage. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

This week, Hawaiian Electric announced it is adding capacity for another 2,800 customers on its rooftop solar program.  There’s still a backlog of applications for households with solar panels wanting to help supply the electrical grid. While the backlog has stalled the solar panel industry here, that business is booming in Australia. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Thanks to a new battery storage system, Molokai may be the first Hawaiian island to go entirely off the grid. We get more on that story from PBN editor-in-chief A. Kam Napier.

How to meet the State's energy needs is always on the legislative agenda. As Hawaii operates under the 100% renewable energy portfolio standard by 2045, what bills are still alive this year that will narrow that Gap? And which are still languishing and not likely to make crossover? Our panel comprised of Jeff Mikulina from Blue Planet Foundation and Scott Seu from Hawaiian Electric Company take calls and discuss the issues currently facing Hawaii's electrical consumers and suppliers in meeting the State's 100% renewable energy goal.

The World Conservation Congress continues on day 5 of its scheduled 10-day conference at the Hawai’i Convention Center.  One of the workshops focused on the challenges facing island nations that strive for total fossil fuel independence to generate electricity.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The State signed a renewable energy agreement with Hawai’i’s  largest electricity customer today.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Cost of Building Renewable Electricity; Parade of Farms; New Recommendation for Treating Youth ADHD; A Discovery at the Edge of the Solar System

What a Difference a Rate Makes, UHERO blog: Michael Roberts

Talking About Science; A New Novel from Jill Marie Landis; Energy in the Legislature; Martial Law in Hawaii

Energy and Public Policy: Dr. David Berube

Hawai‘i’s gas utility is looking into adding renewable gas into its product.  Hawai‘i Gas has released a request for proposals to buy raw bio-methane from municipal wastewater treatment centers and landfills in Hawai‘i.  The company is seeking proposals from local and national suppliers who can provide large quantities of gas on a daily basis.

Hawai‘i  has committed to an ambitious goal of using 100-percent renewable energy within thirty years. Part of that picture includes hydroelectric power. And a bill put forth by a representative from Kaua‘i would help increase the adoption of water power. From Kaua‘i, Scott Giarman has more.