We Must Strive for Sustainable, Reliable, and Equitable Clean Energy

By Noel Morin, John Kawamoto and Paul Bernstein 

Hawaii needs affordable renewable energy that is both sustainable and reliable (available 24x7). When done correctly, we can achieve this without relying on tree-burning and fossil-fuel-burning power plants that are harmful to our planet and costly to humanity.

We are fortunate to have abundant clean, renewable energy resources in Hawaii - solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal are prime examples. We also have access to many storage solutions that enable reliability and 24x7 access to energy. These include batteries (soon to include those in electric vehicles), gravity (pumped hydro and crane-based storage towers), thermal energy, and chemical (hydrogen). Yes - we can enjoy reliable, clean energy without relying on traditional power generation strategies.

True Sustainability is Key

A resilient and reliable system will require a diversity of solutions that minimizes systemic points of failure and allows for place-based solutions acceptable to communities and benefit the local environment. For instance, we should not install wind farms and geothermal plants near communities, solar farms must not sacrifice arable land, and solutions should not negatively impact view planes. With an eclectic mix of solutions, we can have a system that fits and works.

Importantly, a sustainable energy system would be minimally dependent on imported materials and offer the lowest possible carbon lifecycle impact. Knowing where our solutions come from, the raw minerals that go into them, and the nature of the energy required to produce and transport them will enable true sustainability. It will also reduce our exposure to the price volatility and supply chain-related risks that have become painfully clear over the past year. Focusing on true sustainability will help ensure our solutions will sustain future generations. 

The 24/7 Conundrum

Concerns have been raised about the reliability of electricity derived from renewable sources. A misconception is that solar or wind power with batteries are unreliable sources of always-available power and that only fossil fuel and other combustion-based solutions can guarantee firm, uninterrupted electrical service. The latter has been disproven many times. For instance, last winter, Texas found that many of its natural gas units could not provide the needed power. 

Locally, Hawaii island residents were recently asked to conserve electricity to avoid rolling blackouts. The cause was a shortage of ammonia, an additive required for emissions control at the Hamakua fossil-fuel-burning power plant. In this case, a ‘firm’ (24/7) power plant was hobbled by a supply chain delay.  

A system dependent on imports or an unsustainable feedstock is subject to interruption. Inevitable oil supply challenges will increasingly impact fossil-fuel-burning plants. The same goes for tree-burning power operations like the proposed Hu Honua plant on Hawaii island. This plant would burn local trees and eventually rely on imported wood pellets.

Thankfully, Governor Ige vetoed SB2510, a bill that would have supported the burning of trees for energy production. Not only would it not have been clean, but it would have contributed to increased carbon emissions and other social and environmental consequences and resulted in higher electricity rates for Hawaii Island residents and businesses.  

Walking the Right Talk

In the upcoming session, our Legislature must take more decisive action to control climate change by aggressively transforming our energy system into a truly sustainable, reliable, and economically equitable one. Enabling an energy ecosystem that is diverse, place-relevant, and has a low OVERALL carbon lifecycle will help us achieve this. 

To incentivize the transition to such a system, Hawaii must support a carbon cashback program - a tax on the distributors of fossil fuels, with revenue rebated to residents. It’s time to put UHERO’s research into action. Their two studies confirm the effectiveness of a carbon cashback policy in accelerating our shift to affordable clean energy, reducing our emissions, and providing a net financial gain for most of Hawaii’s families. Implementation of this policy will also enable Hawaii to inspire national carbon pricing. 

We must also explore and deploy solutions that require minimal external inputs. Solar, wind, and storage are valuable solutions but carry risks, especially as global competition for necessary raw materials escalates, and solutions are impacted by fossil fuel supply and pricing churn. (Solutions that depend on mining, manufacture, transport, and disposal are highly dependent on energy, much of which is fossil fuel-based.) 

Thankfully, Hawaii also has access to hydro, geothermal, and ocean energy. These will play a critical role in the eclectic energy ecosystem that Hawaii will need far into the future. It will be prudent for us to explore these and find ways to deploy them in a manner that respects our environment, people, and culture. 

Let’s walk the ‘right’ talk and inspire others to do the same so that we can help create a livable planet. Future generations are counting on us.