Renewable energy in Hawaii--Lessons learned

Conference · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:139752

Hubbard, H M; Totto, L; Harvison, D ^[1]

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1. Pacific International Center for High Technology Research, Honolulu, HI (United States)

Hawaii`s extensive renewable resources and limited access to conventional fuels has, in a sense, created a natural environment for the development and implementation of renewable energy processes, technologies, and materials. Aside from its traditional combustion of bagasse at sugar mills, Hawaii has invested in a wide range of renewable energy technologies, including municipal waste-to-energy incineration, hydropower, wind energy, solar photovoltaic (PV), small-scale solar, geothermal, and innovative hybrid wind/diesel and wind/pumped hydro systems. While regarded as a leader in the field of renewable energy, Hawaii`s pioneering approach has generally focused on research and development rather on implementation and commercialization. Despite being a front-runner in the utilization of a number of renewable energy resources, Hawaii`s dependence on petroleum continues to be among the highest in the United States. In 1990, petroleum constituted 92% of Hawaii`s energy supply in contrast to renewable energy`s contribution of 8%. The introduction of coal-fired electricity generation in 1992 has helped to diversify the energy base and decrease the share of oil. But, coal`s low fuel costs may also impact negatively on the prospects for renewable energy. The combination of the impending decline of sugarcane and the growing concerns for the islands` energy and environmental security is changing Hawaii`s energy landscape. While a number of traditional options may be phased out over the next few years, the emergence of new prospects holds considerable promise for an expanded role for renewable energy in the future.

• OSTI ID: 139752
• Report Number(s): CONF-9302150--; ISBN 0-89553-251-4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
BAGASSE
COAL
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
HAWAII
HYBRID SYSTEMS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
PETROLEUM
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WIND POWER