The Next Green Step: Further Diversifying Hawaii’s Energy Mix to Support Hawaii’s Clean Energy Goals
Hawaii plans to power every island grid in the state with renewable energy by 2045. In June 2015, Governor David Ige set a precedent for the state to become a global renewable energy leader by signing the 100% renewable energy requirement into the law.
The transition into clean energy requires greater investment in renewable energy technologies of all kinds and sound policies that facilitate the use of renewable energy.
Hawaii’s Energy Mix
Currently, the state of Hawaii employs a robust energy matrix that includes solar, bioenergy, wind, and geothermal. According to statements from the Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii is doing well so far. By the end of 2017, the state was generating around 30% of its utility sales from renewable energy.
However, our state’s renewables rely heavily on intermittent sources like solar and wind, which won’t generate power when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow. This is why the there is a need for more firm renewable technologies, like geothermal and biomass.
Increasing the scale of renewable energy within the islands will require law officials and policy makers to promote the use of firm renewable energy technologies and provide greater support to the companies developing them.
Rising Electricity Costs
Because of the cost of imported oil used to power the electric grid on every island, Hawaii currently suffers from the highest electricity costs in the nation. The majority of the state remains heavily dependent on foreign oil used to power firm power plants. This dependency on imported oil sends millions of dollars out of the state and exposes consumers and businesses to the volatility of prices in global oil markets .
Without more firm renewable energy technologies, Hawaii will not come close to creating a green economy or realizing a reduction in electricity prices.
One such firm renewable technology is biomass, which leverages the cultivation and harvesting of organic matter to be used in the production of clean energy protects cheaper alternative than imported fossil fuels. For instance, biomass used to generate energy can be sustainably produced locally, meaning it will never be depleted, unlike fossil fuels. And the funds generated by the operation remain in Hawaii.
A Clean and Green Future with Renewable Energy
Renewable energy offers substantial environmental and economic benefits, including substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels, cleaner air quality and improved conservation of natural resources, as well as new good-paying jobs to support the local economy.
Maximizing the variety of clean energy technologies will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, diversify our renewable energy portfolio, create new local jobs, and support fulfilling Hawaii’s clean energy mandate by 2045.