Energy Efficiency Takes-Off at the Honolulu International ... - Heco.com

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Surfers and swimmers remember never toturn their backs on the ocean. HawaiianElectric Company, Inc. (HECO) renewableenergy engineers and generationplanners have the same motto.With the surf pounding the shores allaround our islands, HECO has kept awatchful and hopeful eye on thepossibility of obtaining electric powerfrom this natural, renewable resource.But how to harness the obvious powerof the ocean to make electricity for ourhomes and businesses -- at a reasonablecost and without damage to ourenvironment -- has been the bigchallenge.For years, HECO has kept track of waveenergy development, sent representativesto international conferences, andconsulted with potential wave energydevelopers who have visited our islands.Like wind energy 15 or 20 years ago,many different technologies for oceanenergy are contendingfor commercial viability.The Ocean PowerTechnology buoy systemtested off Kaneohe MarineCorps Base is one ofthem. The Pelamis sea snake is another.Finally, HECO has found an excellentwave technology that engineers believemakes sense for Hawai’i and many otherplaces as well.It was developed by an Australia-basedinternational high-tech company calledOceanlinx, formerly Energetech. And inFebruary, at a meeting with GovernorLinda Lingle, Oceanlinx officials unveiledplans to provide electricity to MauiElectric Company (MECO) from Hawai’i’sfirst wave energy project.“This innovative and environmentallybased wave energy project is an idealexample of using Hawai’i’s abundantnatural sources of energy to reduce ourdependence on imported fossil fuel andincrease our energy security,” saidGovernor Lingle.“This is an historic occasion for Hawai’i,”said Mike May, HECO’s President andCEO.“Wave energy is more available andmore predictable than most other typesof renewable resources,” said OceanlinxExecutive Chairman and CEO DavidWeaver. “Commercial satellites allowlong-range tracking of wave patternsdays in advance. With such advanceddata, the utility is better able to plan forthe generation output of our unit.”“We are very pleased to be a part ofHawai’i’s move to increase its productionof electricity from clean energy sources,”he said. “The Oceanlinx technology is anMECO and OceanlinxPartner to HarnessWave Energy10
ideal fit for Maui, with its excellent waveclimate, and we hope to be able tocontinue working in Hawai’i onadditional wave energy projects in thefuture.”The plan is to provide up to 2.7megawatts from two to three floatingplatforms located in the waters due northof Pauwela Point on the northeast coastof Maui. If the first platforms performwell, Maui and other islands as well couldhost more. As they are moored half tothree quarters of a mile off shore, theirvisibility is quite limited, little more thana blip on the horizon, if that.(left to right): In the governor’s office, Dr. Peter Kalish and David Weaver ofOceanlinx, with Senator J. Kalani English, Representative Cynthia Thielen, HECOPresident and CEO Mike May, HECO Senior Vice President Karl Stahlkopf, andMECO President Ed Reinhardt.The northeast Maui site was picked for itsgood wave regime, proximity of the gridadjacent to the point, where a lighthouseformerly operated, and the absence ofboating and surfing activity in the area.Nearby “Jaws” surfing site is well out ofthe way of activity associated with theOceanlinx platforms.“In discussions with government andenvironmental leaders, we have heardnothing but strong support for thisproject,” said Ed Reinhardt, MECO’sPresident. MECO has held meetings withcommunity associations, boaters, fishers,and surfers, as well as with environmentalgroups like Maui Tomorrow and the Mauichapter of the Sierra Club.Oceanlinx will prepare an environmentalimpact statement for the project andwill apply for necessary permits andapprovals. In the future, the Oceanlinxplatform could also be used to desalinatewater, making it even more attractive fordrought-prone Maui.Oceanlinx’s innovative technologycombines the established science of theoscillating water column with a patentedturbine technology. Rising and falling seaswells push and pull air past the turbine.Key advantages of OceanlinxIncreased power output: The technology can be deployed in a variety of waterdepths including near shore and in offshore deep water where wave power levelsare higher.Low maintenance: The design has kept moving parts to a minimum and locatedthem above water, to minimize failure rates and reduce downtime. The stabilityof the platforms and accessibility from the deck of the rotating machinery allowsfor routine maintenance to be performed on location instead of requiring units tobe removed to dockside. The units contain a small number of rotating machineryparts, which are accessible from the deck of the unit minimizing the cost ofoperations and maintenance.Scalability: The modular design means that facilities can be scaled to meet theneeds of the customer by grouping multiple units into arrays. In addition, theunits themselves have a higher capacity rating than other wave energyalternatives.Mass production benefits: The units are modular in design and can bemanufactured using mass production techniques in standard fabrication facilitiesand shipyards. The topside modules can be factory assembled and then deliveredto the shipyard for integration, hook-up, and commissioning onto the marinestructure. This allows for the units to be pre-commissioned and tested beforeinstallation.Product diversification: Oceanlinx has also developed technology to use theenergy generated by the turbine to drive a desalination unit converting sea waterto fresh water using a reverse osmosis technique.Renewable energy and carbon credits: Both the generation of electricity and thedesalination of sea water to produce fresh water will qualify for renewable energyand/or carbon credits in most Oceanlinx target markets.11
Page 2 and 3: To OurValuedCommercialCustomersALOH
Page 4 and 5: Hawai’i is highly dependent on im
Page 6 and 7: Focus on Safety: GFCIs & AFCIsVario
Page 8 and 9: SPECIAL EVENTSSustainable Solutions
Page 12 and 13: The turbine’s blades shift in res

Energy Efficiency Takes-Off at the Honolulu International ... - Heco.com

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?