Hawaiian Airlines and Par Hawaii Seeks to Fly the Greener Skies
Hawaiian Airlines and local energy company Par Hawaii teamed up to explore the possibility of making flying friendlier to the
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energy
Maui’s Ma‘alaea Harbor is the First of 6 Off-Grid Biodiesel Fueling Stations in the State
Pacific Biodiesel installed the state’s first off-grid fueling station, operated by the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural
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Energy summit to feature fast-pitch startup showcase
Nominations are now open for the VERGE Accelerate fast-pitch competition taking place June 21-23 at the Asia Pacific Clean Energy
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Lawmakers commit to 100 percent renewable energy by 2045
Hawaii lawmakers voted 74-2 today to pass the nation’s first 100% renewable energy requirement. The measure, House Bill 623, makes Hawaii a global leader in renewable energy policy by requiring that 100% of the islands’ electricity must be generated from renewable energy resources—such as wind, solar, and geothermal—no later than 2045.
“Hawaii lawmakers made history today—not only for the state, but for the planet,” said Jeff Mikulina, Executive Director of the Blue Planet Foundation.
The measure, if enacted by Governor David Ige, would make Hawaii the first state in the nation with such a 100% renewable energy standard. Blue Planet Foundation, whose mission is to clear the path for 100% renewable energy, praised the move.
“Passage of this measure is a historic step towards a fossil fuel free Hawaii,” said Mikulina. “This visionary policy is a promise to future generations that their lives will be powered not by climate-changing fossil fuel, but by clean, local, and sustainable sources of energy.”
“We applaud the leadership of both the House and the Senate, and of the energy committee chairs, Rep. Chris Lee and Sen. Mike Gabbard, for helping make this historic policy a reality,” he added.
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Legislature advances bill calling for fossil fuel-free future
A joint House-Senate conference committee passed a measure yesterday that would make Hawaii a global leader in renewable energy policy. The
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Energy Excelerator announces latest cohort
The Energy Excelerator selected 17 startups from a pool of high quality applicants to transform Hawaii’s energy system. Fifty percent of the new portfolio startups has principal team members with previous exits.
“We are excited to work with a new cohort of startups with a ton of experience in running successful companies,†says Dawn Lippert, Director of the Energy Excelerator. “These are really smart people that have vetted technologies and are eager to partner with our local businesses to help solve some of our most difficult energy challenges.â€
The Energy Excelerator’s goal is to strategically address Hawaii’s energy challenges across many different sectors. The 2015 cohort consists of startups with innovative solutions for the State’s energy, transportation, water, and agriculture industries.
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Hawaii ‘Energy Excelerator’ gets $30M from Navy
The Navy’s Office of Naval Research, under the Asia Pacific Technology Education Program, announced today that it will invest $30 million dollars in the Hawaii-based Energy Excelerator. The new Navy commitment triples the funding that the program operated with over the past three years, showing that they recognize the value of Hawaii as an ideal place for new energy innovation.
The Energy Excelerator funds seed-stage and growth-stage startups with compelling energy solutions and immediate application in Hawaii.
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Isle startup aims to help utilities reward energy savings
Ikehu Naturals LLC, a Hawaii-based startup, recently won an award in a contest sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. The award was given for its Demand Response Incentive (DRIVE) system. The DRIVE technology gives power companies the ability to offer airline miles to their energy efficient customers.
Ikehu said in a statement that it hopes the award generates interest by power companies around the world.
“It’s an honor to be selected among the winners in such a prestigious competition” says Ikehu CEO and founder Holland Wood. “Soon, utilities will have the ability to use airline miles to guide consumers towards responsible energy use.”
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Algae demonstration commissioned at West Oahu refinery
Kuehnle AgroSystems, a producer of specialized algae strains and bulk concentrated algae designed to meet the diverse needs of the animal nutrition, specialty chemical and biofuels markets, has announced the commissioning of an algae demonstration project at the Chevron Hawaii refinery.
The demonstration project, funded by the Hawaii Renewable Energy Development Venture and the Office of Naval Research, produces algae using recycled CO2 waste streams and wastewater by-product from Chevron’s refinery to cultivate algae in specially designed closed growing systems.
Chevron’s role in this project is to serve as a host site and a source of recycled CO2 and wastewater for KAS to conduct its research.
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Big Island geothermal feedback sought
Hawaii Electric Light Company is seeking information to determine the best way to pursue geothermal power development on Hawaii Island.
In a request for information (RFI) issued today, the utility is seeking input from stakeholders including potential geothermal developers and interested landowners on next steps that take into account the renewable energy goals and clean energy policy of Hawaii within the state’s unique community, cultural, historical, and environmental context.
“Geothermal power is already a proven source of firm renewable power that can play an even larger role in Hawaii’s clean energy future,†said Jay Ignacio, president of Hawaii Electric Light Company.
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Maui wind power expansion plan published
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today the availability of a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) submitted by Kaheawa Wind Power II, LLC for public review. Kaheawa Wind Power II is a subsidiary of the Boston-based wind energy company First Wind that supplies electricity to the Maui Electric Company.
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