Biomass and the Synergy Between Renewable Energy & Agriculture
Agriculture in Hawaii is unique, but as with any community, it is critical in regard to the supply of food, raw materials, and economic stability. From coffee to pineapples to sugar, agriculture has always played an instrumental role in our cultural heritage and how Hawaii’s residents earn a living. Today, many people in our state understand the importance of maintaining a robust agricultural industry locally. Surprisingly enough, renewable energy has become a major component of the future of agriculture in Hawaii.
The link between renewable energy and agriculture is so vital for Hawaii that HRS 269-27.2 was cemented as law. This law was created to promote the development of renewable energy projects that have a nexus with agricultural activities. There is only one clean energy project on Hawaii Island that furthers these goals established by HRS 269-27.2, and that is Honua Ola Bioenergy.
This piece explores the synergy between renewable energy and agriculture, and why Honua Ola is the perfect energy source because it prioritizes both elements.
Hawaii’s Renewable Energy Mandate
In 2015, Hawaii passed HB623, a landmark bill that mandates that all of Hawaii’s electricity is generated from renewable sources by 2045. One of the primary reasons for the passing of this bill was to eliminate the import of fossil fuels and effectively combat electric fees across the state.
Passing this bill into law inevitably resulted in a cascade of unprecedented consequences. One such effect is that the proposed alternative energy source would have to meet the criteria established by existing laws and regulations. This includes the requirements for agricultural land-use and the previously mentioned HRS 269-27.2.
Land-use Restricts Solar’s Potential
Hawaii has strict land-use laws in place that inhibit the development of solar facilities. A specific policy regarding the development of energy projects on agricultural land states that “Solar energy facilities placed within land with soil classified as overall productivity rating class B or C shall not occupy more than 10% of the acreage of the parcel, or twenty acres of land, whichever is lesser”.
To better understand the impact of this policy, Oahu serves as a great example. Currently, 66% of Oahu’s land is classified as having a class A or B productivity rating. This means that only 127,442 out of 386,188 acres of land in Oahu are eligible for developing solar projects. Being that only 10% of that available land (12,744 acres) can be used for solar development, there is not enough acreage available to construct the number of solar panels required to meet the 100% renewable energy mandate.
Making Use of Agricultural Waste
Agricultural waste is abundant in Hawaii and comes in a range of forms. Whether it is animal waste, forest product residues, or agriculture residue, there is a lot of potential to turn this abundant agricultural waste into clean energy. Research in Hawaii found that annually, over 10,000 tons of this waste is dumped into US landfills.
Bioenergy puts this agricultural waste to use through the generation of clean energy. Beyond the creation of renewable energy, there are other environmental benefits to repurposing agricultural waste. One of the most exciting advantages is the mitigation of water and soil contamination caused by this waste.
Biomass Holds the Key
Given the laws established by the state of Hawaii that mandate 100% renewables, while promoting production that prioritizes agricultural projects, Biomass emerges as the most effective solution. Unlike solar, crops grown as feedstock for bioenergy fulfill the agricultural land use requirements in class A and B land. This means that land classified as A or B can be used to source biomatter for bioenergy production.
Returning to our example of Oahu, 66% of the available agricultural land is classified as A and B, expanding the potential for biomass related projects. Furthermore, the construction of biofuel processing facilities is also permitted on A and B land.
Biomass meets all current agricultural demands, and the Honua Ola Bioenergy facility is carbon neutral. This all factors into the ascension of biomass energy as the perfect source of power for Hawaii. There is a reason that agricultural development is prioritized, as it is an industry that creates non-tourism jobs and improves the livelihoods of working people in Hawaii. A renewable energy portfolio that incorporates clean bioenergy helps Hawaii push aside fossil fuels and drives job growth in agriculture.