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

The turbine’s blades shift in response tothe direction of the air flow, allowing theturbine to turn continuously in onedirection. Electricity is then broughtashore through an undersea cable andunderground lines to a substation tied tothe island electrical grid.Unlike many other kinds of wave energytechnology, the Oceanlinx system hasno moving parts below the water line,avoiding some of the tribulations thatvex boat owners everywhere, like thecorrosive nature of salt water and thelove of barnacles and the like to attach toanything in the water.Oceanlinx is still monitoring wave patterns,gathering financing and investors,and preparing an environmental impactstatement for the project. MECO willnegotiate a purchase power agreementwith Oceanlinx and seek approvals fromthe Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.Oceanlinx has also signed a Memorandumof Understanding with RenewableHawai’i, Inc., an unregulated subsidiaryof HECO, for possible passive investmentin the project.HECO’s President and CEO Mike Mayalso thanked members of the Mauilegislative delegation, includingRepresentative Angus McKelvey(District 10: Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua,Maalaea, Kihei) who was instrumental inbring Oceanlinx and MECO together.And Mike May paid a special complimentto Representative Cynthia Thielen(District 50: Kailua, Kaneohe Bay), along-time proponent of ocean energy.“Representative Thielen’s persistence andcommitment to developing ocean energyin Hawai’i have helped bring us to thisday.”For Maui, it will be one more link in itsrenewable energy chain that alreadyincludes biomass and wind and willsoon include biofuels and wave energy.Indeed, Maui could become the firstHawaiian island to be 100 percentrenewable for electricity within a decade.To learn more about Oceanlinx go towww.oceanlinx.com.The project could be operational by2010. The cost, to be borne byOceanlinx and its investors, is estimatedat $20 to $30 million. A proposal in theState Legislature would provide Oceanlinxwith a Special Purpose RevenueBond, allowing the company to borrowat more attractive rates without puttingany burden on the public treasury.Graphics courtesy of Oceanlinx12