A quarterly research and development magazine
Technical contact
Juan Torres
(505) 844-0809,
jjtorre@sandia.gov
Media contact
Michael Padilla
(505) 284-5325
mjpadil@sandia.govv
The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) will transform Hawaii's energy system to utilize renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies for a significant portion of its energy needs.
DOE and Sandia will help Hawaii supply 70 percent of its energy needs using clean energy by 2030, which could reduce Hawaii's current crude oil consumption by 72 percent. This type of clean energy transformation will continue to help sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Sandia project lead Juan Torres says Sandia is providing technical advisement, analysis, and engineering support for clean energy projects, policy, and regulations.
Hawaii currently meets about 90 percent of its energy needs through imported oil refined into gasoline for transportation and diesel for electricity, says Torres. "Because of its location," he says, “Hawaii's gasoline and electricity prices are typically the highest in the nation."
In the near term, Sandia will help the island of Lanai achieve its goal of using 100 percent renewables for all of its energy needs, he says.
In the future, Sandia plans to help the island of Kauai incorporate renewables as part of its generation portfolio. In addition, Sandia will assist privatized military housing communities implement renewables to reduce their energy costs.
Alexander Karsner, DOE assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, says, "Hawaii's success will serve as an integrated model and demonstration test bed for the United States and other island communities globally, many of which are just beginning the transition to a clean energy economy."