Hawaii Tries Green Tools in Remaking Power Grids
September 15, 2009 – Felicity Barringer reports in The New York Times that “Hawaii Tries Green Tools in Remaking Power Grids.” Our small multi-island state is making a large effort for green energy. There is a new wind farm. A company is investigating the use of algae as biofuel. Solar panels are producing electricity in this sunny location even if Florida is known as the Sunshine State. Volcanic rock [the islands were produced by underwater volcanoes] produces heat that generates electricity. Wave energy is being used in Maui. Obstacles persist because each of the 6 main islands has its own energy grid that is not connected to the others and most of the energy is used in Honolulu. Imported oil still is the source for 77% of Hawaii’s electricity. Nine percent now comes from renewable sources, but Hawaii is targeting 40% by 2030. Read the original Times article for more details.