Hawaiian Electric to host 6 Resilient and Renewable Energy community workshops on Oahu starting Oct. 24
Input sought to identify areas for microgrids, utility-scale renewables
Release Date: 10/18/2022
HONOLULU, Oct. 18, 2022 – Hawaiian Electric will host six hybrid community workshops across Oahu starting Oct. 24 to seek input on where microgrids can support energy resilience and what areas may be suitable for potential grid-scale renewable generation.
The recent destruction caused by hurricanes Ian and Fiona underscores the need to strengthen the resilience of local communities as climate change fuels more severe weather events.
The public is invited to help Hawaiian Electric identify areas on Oahu that may benefit from developing microgrids, which can improve energy resilience in areas prone to prolonged outages during bad weather. Microgrids are connected to the grid but can operate independently during an outage to continue providing electricity through a variety of resources including solar panels, a battery and/or backup generator.
Hawaiian Electric will also seek input on areas suitable for renewable energy projects, and document feedback on the potential for renewable generation on Oahu.
The events will start with an open house from 6:30 to 7 p.m. (in-person only) followed by a hybrid community workshop (in-person and virtual) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. See dates and locations below:
- Koolauloa Moku (Waimea – Kaaawa)
- Monday, Oct. 24, at Kahuku Elementary School
- Waianae Moku (Nanakuli – Keawaula)
- Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Agnes Kalanihookaha Community Learning Center
- Kona Moku (Moanalua – East Honolulu)
- Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Kapiolani Community College
- Waialua Moku (Kaena – Kapaeloa)
- Thursday, Nov. 3, at Waialua Elementary School
- Koolaupoko Moku (Waimanalo – Kualoa)
- Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Windward Community College
- Ewa Moku (Honouliuli – Halawa)
- Thursday, Nov. 17, at Leeward Community College
To join the workshops via Zoom, go to hawaiianelectric.com/communitymeetings for a meeting link. The workshops also will be livestreamed and recorded. The workshops also will be livestreamed and recorded on respective Olelo community media channels listed here.
Hawaiian Electric is working with the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, the U.S. Department of Energy and national labs to develop a microgrid map that would identify opportunities for rapid development of microgrids. The workshops will collect community insight on facilities and services that should be prioritized for the deployment of microgrids that could provide power to critical areas in the event of a major outage caused by a storm or other event.
Community input is also sought on an analysis for renewable energy zones for planning future energy projects and infrastructure. More information on this planning concept can be found at hawaiipowered.com.
