Energy

Technology Allows More Solar on Molokai

Thursday, July 25th, 2019

A technology collaboration between University of Hawaii’s Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) and Maui Electric will allow more rooftop solar systems and highest quality solar energy hardware to be added on Molokai’s electric grid.

At the end of 2018, a 750-kilowatt (kW) “load bank” was connected to the island’s electrical grid at Maui Electric’s Pala‘au power plant. The load bank acts as a “safety valve” designed to rapidly absorb excess energy that might occur during periods of high photovoltaic (PV) generation during the day or unplanned system disruptions, such as a sudden loss of electricity usage on the grid, according to Maui Electric.…

Seeking Renewable Energy Partners

Thursday, July 18th, 2019

By Audrey Newman, Community Reporter

Maui Electric is opening up the island’s energy grid to solar and small wind projects in a competitive bid process that will be available to independent power producers as well as community groups.

“This is the next step in bringing more renewable energy to Molokai,” said Mahina Martin, government and community relations manager at Maui Electric (MECO), as she welcomed about 30 residents to a community meeting on Molokai 100 Percent Renewable Energy last Thursday evening at the Mitchell Pauole Center.

In MECO’s competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process, one or two projects will be selected.…

Molokai’s Renewable Energy Future

Wednesday, October 24th, 2018

The forecast for energy on Molokai is looking renewable, according to Maui Electric officials. Company officials talked story with residents last week in three sessions around the island about both the company’s and community’s visions for how Molokai can reach 100 percent renewable energy in the near future.

Molokai has a lot of planned and potential projects on the horizon. The 37-acre solar project with battery storage, recently approved to be operated by Molokai New Energy Partners (MNEP), will be located near the Pala’au Power Plant. Manager of Renewable Energy Projects Gregg Kresge said the permit process for the project is currently underway and MNEP — a branch of mainland-based renewable energy company Half Moon Ventures — will hold additional meetings with the community for updates on the project.…

International Energy Leaders Visit Molokai

Thursday, March 1st, 2018

A proposal for a large-scale solar project on Molokai is on the table and residents are questioning the project’s benefits and whether community ownership of the project down the road is viable or desirable. With the island’s energy grid on the brink of change, a group of community energy leaders from around the world visited Molokai last Monday to share their perspectives on renewable energy solutions with residents.

“We [want to] come away with a sense of hopefulness… that together we can make happen what we need to have happen that benefits our aina and our community,” said Emillia Noordhoek, co-director of Sust`aina ble Molokai, which hosted the day-long discussion at the Kulana `Oiwi Halau on Feb.…