Hawaii adopts renewable energy
Stuck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean without any fossil fuel resources, Hawaii can’t turn to their neighbors in case of an energy shortfall. What do they do? They are turning to alternative energy sources. The state is turning to solar, hydropower, geothermal, ocean thermal conversion, biomass and wind to fill its needs.
Their largest source of biomass is a byproduct of sugar production which can be digested into methane.
Refuse is another source, supplying 8% of Oahu’s energy.
Hawaii’s many volcano’s are a potential source of geothermal energy, which converts the heat of magma to steam which drives the turbines to make electricity. One geothermal plant has saved 500,000 barrels of oil every year and has kept 220,000 tons of CO2 out of our air.
Their steady winds are a good source for wind energy. Also, an attractive 20% tax credit is available to support the purchase of wind generators. Note also that wind energy requires 1/600 the water that nuclear power requires. The utility company, HELCO, has a small wind farm, and contracts with several independent power producers around the islands.
Karl Stahlkopf, chief technology officer for HELCO, says “Strong policy changes are driving our nation toward renewable energy. I think as a matter of national and public policy, we should look seriously at renewables as energy sources to decrease the amount of carbon that goes into the atmosphere.” He also stresses the importance of finding ways to reduce our dependence on imported oil.
Right now the island of Hawaii obtains 25% of its energy from renewable sources.
- excerted from Engineering Times
