HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0433.001 2008-2010
Energy Program - Hawai'i County Research and Development Page 1 of 2
Energy Program
The Hawai'i County Energy Program is administered and implemented by the Energy
Coordinator. The Energy Coordinator participates in State and utility energy planning
and regulatory programs, maintains the County's energy emergency preparedness
program and implements comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy
program for the County of Hawaii.
Contact Information
Will Rolston
Energy Coordinator
Telephone: (808) 327-3664
Fax: (808) 327-3667
E-mail: wrolston@co.hawaii.hi.us
Background
Energy production and consumption is a major concern for Hawaii County's businesses, residents and
Ia 111!!ergy experienced instability and rising e
prices. Hawai'i Island's physical isolation requires the
expenditure of energy for transporting many of the goods we consume and produce. We also rely on
imported fossil fuels for over 80% of our energy needs. The island's economy spent $75o million
dollars on imported fossil fuels (2007) and these expenditures made up 16% of the Gross County
Product. Typical energy expenditures in the U.S. mainland are closer to 8%, which makes Hawai'i
County's spending double U.S. continent. An average resident spent $4,411 dollars on imported energy
and consumed 80o gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel in 2007' and the Hawai'i Island economy
emitted 2.8 million tons of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions in 2007". Overall, 68% of fossil fuel for
electricity generation and 99.9% of transportation fuel was imported to the Island of Hawaii in 2008.
The Hawai'i County Energy Program is working to encourage the implementation of renewable sources
of energy, support efforts to encourage greater energy efficiency and put these initiatives into practice;
leading by example by incorporating renewable resources and improving efficiency in county
equipment, operations and facilities.
Program Goals
1. To maximize the energy efficiency for all Hawaii Island energy systems.
2. To maximize the use of renewable energy for electrical energy generation and 37,)
transportation on Hawai'i Island. Comm. No.
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Energy Program - Hawai'i County Research and Development Page 2 of 2
3. To improve the County's energy emergency preparedness.
Program Focus
The Energy program focuses on three key areas to work towards its goals:
. Plan - Update County's energy emergency preparedness and the in-house
energy conservation and efficiency strategy.
¦ Policy - Advise, draft and/or monitor local and state energy policies.
¦ Implement - Facilitate the implementation of the County Energy Sustainability
Plan and Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. The energy program also supports and
coordinates the activities of the Mayor's Energy Advisory Commission and
provides information to the island community.
Based on 8o million gallons of gasoline at $3.10 per gallon, 20 million gallons of diesel at $3.50 per
gallon, 1,200 million kWh of electricity at $0.327 (residential) and $0.300 (other), 30 million gallons
of aviation fuel at $i.go per gallon, and liquid petroleum gas sales of $5 million - County of Hawai'i
Energy Sustainability Plan 2007 http://www.hawaii-county.com/directory/dir-research.htm
'Source: The State of Hawaii Data Book, 2007
"Source: ICF International Draft Report to State Greenhouse Gas Task Force, 2008
Energy Program Initiatives - Hawai'i County Research and Development Page 1 of 2
Energy Program Initiatives
Energy Sustainability Vision
¦ The County of Hawai'i will lead by example to transform Hawai'i Island from its current
reliance on imported fossil fuels at the high level of 70% and expenditures exceeding
$75o million dollars annually (2007) to a level where more than 70% of our electric
generation and fuel resources are from renewable sources. Efficiency and conservation
programs will be implemented continuously to provide the most cost-effective results.
¦ A transformation to Hawai'i County's energy future will result in direct savings of energy
dollars, increased sustainable economic development and new job creation.
Concurrently, the Island's impact on a global scale will be a reduced Island GHG
footprint with positive consequences for the environment.
Program Accomplishments
¦ The Energy Program continues to monitor a contract to reduce energy consumption at
the Hilo Public Safety Building and Kona Police Station. Now in its seventh year, this
project has already generated over $r million in savings through retrofitting of the lights
and air conditioning units
¦ A prior energy performance contract on the Hilo County Building resulted in
$3/4 million in energy dollars saved.
¦ Completion of the County of Hawai'i Energy Sustainabili , Plan that will serve as the
roadmap for the County of Hawai'i and the island to transition away from its heavy
dependence upon imported fossil fuel.
A study was completed on the opportunities and challenges associated with utilization of
waste heat from geothermal production. Economic opportunities identified included
heat for agricultural production, value-added processing and lumber drying and more.
Current Initiatives
¦ The Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative has embraced the initiatives of Hawaii County's
Energy Plan. We are attending key meetings to determine how best to partner with our
similar missions. National Renewable Energy Laboratory sent key personnel in
engineering and finance to discuss how to leverage Hawaii Islands resources.
¦ The Department of Public Works' policy is to include photovoltaic systems on all new
construction and roof replacement bid specifications. This policy is optional, as some
facilities lend themselves more readily to accommodate such systems and result in a
higher cost/benefit ratio.
¦ The County's efforts to lead by example are expressed through initiatives such as the loo
kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic system that will be installed shortly as part of the
renovations to the County Building in Hilo.
¦ A second major photovoltaic system will be installed on the new West Hawai'i Civic
Center. The 40o kW system will provide nearly one-third of the building's power
requirements and help to assure that the building meets the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) Silver of higher certification. The photovoltaic power
would be supplied by a third parry, thus eliminating the upfront costs estimated to be
nearly $4 million dollars and resulting in an overall lower price per kilowatt-hour of
power used. While contract terms are negotiated, discussions are on going with the
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Energy Program Initiatives - Hawaii County Research and Development Page 2 of 2
utility to "net meter" the power generated on the weekends for credit to the County.
. $787,ooo has been obtained to complete a detailed Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Strategy (EECS) to include an audit of energy use throughout the County's buildings,
equipment and transportation systems; development of policies and programs to rapidly
move forward with the EECS; and retrofitting or installation of energy efficient systems
such as street lights for immediate savings.
¦ 400 street lights will be retrofitted with LED lamps in
coordination traffic division.
¦ Alex Woodbury to conduct energy audit of multiple County
buildings.
¦ The Kenoi Administration fully supported a recent initiative by the County Council to
update the Model Energy Code. Changes to the Code will ensure that new construction
of residences will employ energy efficient design and construction to minimize roof heat
gain, create passive cooling systems and provide for low-emissivity windows and doors.
The small added cost for new construction is expected to result in significant cost
savings over the life of the buildings.
¦ The County's newly formed Green Team, consisting of County employees will take on
sustainability issues as a means to save on energy costs for the County and lead by
example within the community by adopting sustainable practices. Efforts will focus on
collecting and analyzing data on energy, transportation, buildings and waste. Future
steps will include development of policies to address reduction in our global footprint
and to protect and conserve our environment.
¦ Efforts are proceeding to identify appropriate workforce development needs and
opportunities in the area of green jobs. These include building design and construction,
reuse and recovery of resources, renewable energy production, eco-tourism, creative
digital media and fashion, holistic science and technology and through education and
collective efforts to make all jobs "greener."
¦ Efforts are proceeding to develop a detailed website that residents and businesses may
visit to secure answers to their energy related questions.
Future Focus
¦ The Mayor has committed to establishing an Energy Advisory Commission to expedite
the County's efforts to achieve or exceed the goals laid out in the County's Energy
Sustainability Plan, dated October 2007. Similar to the State's Hawaii Clean Energy
Initiative, the County's Energy Plan calls for a large percentage of the current fossil fuel
use to be replaced by renewable energy sources and gains inefficiencies. With an
aggressive application of the Energy Plan recommendations, the island will be able to
move from the current reliance on fossil fuels of 70% to 31% or lower. The Mayor's
Energy Advisory Commission will focus on transformative policies, programs and other
initiatives to address how building envelopes are constructed and managed; the fuel
used to power vehicles; and how electrical power is produced and delivered.
¦ Increased focus on Energy Grant for Federal stimulus funding will provide much needed
cash infusion to the County for energy efficiency initiatives.
8/4/2009
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Key Energy Resources - Hawai'i County Research and Development Page 1 of 1
Key Energy Resources
¦ To view the County of Hawai'i Energy Sustainability Plan's Executive Summary click
here. To read the full report, and to read the baseline energy analysis for this study.
¦ In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, Hawaii has committed to the
Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative, a statewide goal of 70% renewable sources of
energy such as solar, wind, hydro (water), biomass (energy from plant sources) and
geothermal by the year 2030.
¦ The Hawai'i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
(DBEDT) has a great deal of resources available to assist the public in learning about
energy issues. Within the links on DBEDT's website are many resources in helping
builders make buildings more energy efficient. To view a general overview of renewable
energy potential for Hawai'i click here. Within this webpage can be found links to solar
energy, wind and other sources of renewable power.
¦ The Hawai'i Public Utilities Commission sets prices and rates for utility services
and is sponsoring dockets investigating several regulatory concepts that could benefit
the county and other electricity customers.
¦ HELCO, the utility serving the Big Island, is required by the Public Utilities
Commission to engage in long-range planning for its future operations to determine
what facilities will be needed.
¦ Energy Related Policies, Agreements & Legislation - The Hawai'i Clean Energy
Initiative aims to reduce the state's go% dependence on imported oil to just 30% by
2030.
¦ The State of Hawai'i Signs Clean Energy Compact - An energy agreement among
the State of Hawaii, Division of Consumer Advocacy, and Hawaiian Electric Light
Companies. The compact outlines key agreements among the parties to move Hawaii
toward greater energy independence.
Consumer Information Downloads - Hawai'i County Research and Development Page 1 of I
Consumer Information Downloads
® Energy Sense - For Families and Businesses
With the right information, residents, businesses and government can make energy decisions
that promote the sustained health and prosperity of families, communities and Hawaii Island.
® A Guided Tour of Your Electric Bill
You are invited to take this guided tour of your electric bill, in which each line item is explained
to better understand what it is you are paying the utility for each month.
® Saving Money With Sun Power
Solar resources are abundant and free, and there are a variety of public and private incentives
to help residents afford the initial capital expense to install solar water heater and photovoltaic
(PV) systems.
® Payback Time
This article explains life cycle costing and how to make akamai (smart), energy-efficient choices
when you purchase water heaters, appliances and even light bulbs for your home.
® Our Home PV System
Our goals were to reduce our electricity bill, to reduce our carbon footprint and to contribute to
the sustainability of our community.
® What Energy Conservation Means To You
This article lays out the most effective actions that your household can take to conserve energy.
® The Automotive Sector
This article identifies 15 distinct options, each of which could result in significant reductions in
fossil fuel emissions.
8/4/2009
Resources - Hawai'i County Research and Development Page 1 of 1
Resources
® Energy Policies, Agreements & Legislation
The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative aims to reduce the state's go% dependence on imported oil
to just 3o% by 2030.
® Clean Energy Compact
Energy agreement among the State of Hawaii, Division of Consumer Advocacy, and Hawaiian
Electric Light Companies. The compact outlines.key agreements among the parties to move
Hawaii toward greater energy independence.
® Hawaii County Energy Sustainability Plan
Pan to transition the Island from fossil fuel use for transportation energy and electric
generation to a system based on greater efficiency and renewable energy.
® Hawaii County Energy Sustainability Plan - Executive Summary
The executive summary portion of the Hawaii County Energy Sustainability Plan.
® Hawaii County Baseline Energy Analysis
Presents a baseline analysis of the energy system of the Big Island of Hawaii.
® Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
Use EECBG funds to implement four EECBG activities that advance the County's
comprehensive sustainability initiatives.
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