During the global energy crisis, Hawaii was forced to find new sources of oil. It was a major source of fuel for the islands and was widely imported. Hawaii imported 29,000,000 barrels of crude oil from abroad in 2016. The state is working hard to increase solar and wind energy production, even though it's unlikely Hawaii will ever build a nuclear power station.
The Hawaiian Clean Energy Initiative was created in 2008 with the goal to meet 70% of Hawaii's electricity needs by 2030. The initiative brings together business leaders, policymakers, and community members to advance the transition to renewable energy. The U.S. Department of Energy also helped to create it. The Initiative covers not only wind and sun, but also solar thermal energy, concentrating solar power, biofuel form algae, desalinating drinking waters for export, and solar thermal power.
Hawaiian Electric Companies, the largest electric utility in Hawaii, has set a goal of becoming 100% renewable within 2045. Hawaiian Electric will also shut down the last Hawaii coal plant by 2022. However, Hawaiian Electric is relying on oil to charge its battery until renewables can be built. The utility expressed concerns to Hawaii Public Utilities Commission last week about the possibility of oil-fired power plants charging its battery.
Hawaiian Electric also pledged to close Barbers Point, a coal plant on West Oahu. In doing so, it will take 40 full-time jobs away from the community. However, the company hopes to reassign those employees to other roles in Hawaii. The utility has recently announced plans that it will revamp the state's grid.
Hawaiian Electric Companies engaged more stakeholders as part of their grid modernization strategy. The company submitted recently a plan to Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. This plan detailed the company's priorities as well as the importance of a comprehensive strategy for grid modernization. It also detailed how the company would incorporate customer inputs into its planning process.
The company plans to install a large energy storage system on its system. The system functions as a large battery. It will ensure Hawaii has an uninterrupted supply of electricity once the AES coal plants close in 2022. The system will provide more than 3 megawatts PV generation, over 4.5 megawatts energy storage and more than three thousand megawatt hours of energy storage.
The PUC recently ordered Hawaiian Electric to report on its progress towards its renewable energy goals. It also ruled that Hawaiian Electric could not require community-based renewable power programs to have storage.
Initially, the Hawaiian Electric Companies planned for the state to have a one-way flow of energy. This plan is currently being revised to address concerns regarding a two way flow of energy. In order to increase the flow of electricity, the company plans to collaborate with other Hawaiian Electric Companies. The company also offers an innovative system approach to energy planning.