Renewable Energy vs Fossil Fuels
Hawaii is currently the most oil-reliant state in the U.S., according to the state Energy Office. In 2018, approximately 73% of Hawaii’s overall electricity generation came from oil and coal, while renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and geothermal, made up approximately 22%.
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, releasing approximately 6,677 Million Metric Tons of CO2 annually into the atmosphere in the process of producing electricity.
Hawaii plans to generate 100% renewable energy
Hawaii is making our environment and community well-being a priority by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To make good on this commitment, the state has set a mandate to generate 100% clean energy on the grid by 2045, which would make Hawaii the first state in the U.S. to reach this goal.
This ambitious plan requires an entire revamping of the energy industry and sound investments in a variety of renewable energy technologies. Certain renewable energy technologies — those that operate continuously 24/7 and can ramp power production up or down to meet the demands on the grid — can replace oil-fired plants and lessen our dependence on climate-change-inducing fossil fuels. These technologies include geothermal and biomass, but not wind and solar (even solar plus batteries).
By relying on petroleum, we currently must import approximately 250,000 barrels of oils per year at a cost of some $20 million. Instead of lining the pockets of overseas petroleum companies, we could keep those dollars right here in Hawaii to boost our economy, if we use locally produced fuel, like biomass or geothermal.
Renewable sources of energy reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere when they replace fossil fuels plants. And when we look at replacing fossil fuels with firm energy from biomass, there is the additional environmental benefit from continuously planting and growing biomass (e.g., trees), which captures carbon and greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Although biomass when combusted to produce energy releases carbon, the trees grown as feedstock for Honua Ola will capture the same amount of carbon dioxide or more through photosynthesis, making the entire process carbon neutral.
Honua Ola Bioenergy reduces greenhouse gas emissions
On the island of Hawaii, Honua Ola Bioenergy has committed to continuously plant more trees than it uses to ensure operations will be carbon neutral. With capabilities to produce firm renewable energy around the clock, this process not only contributes to the reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but supports the generation of a new forestry industry, with new trees continuously planted and grown all over Hawaii Island.
By replacing some of the existing continuously operating fossil fuel plants with Honua Ola Bioenergy, more intermittent technologies, like wind and solar, can be added to the grid and Hawaii will see improved air quality and reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions for a cleaner, healthier environment.