Solar Industry:

by SI Staff on Tuesday 29 January 2008

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative - a long-term partnership designed to accelerate the transformation of Hawaii into one of the world's first economies based primarily on clean energy resources.

The goal of the initiative is to use renewable resources such as wind, solar, ocean, geothermal and bio energy to supply 70% or more of the state's energy needs by 2030.

"This innovative, unprecedented partnership builds on the progress the state has made to increase energy independence by decreasing Hawaii’s reliance on imported oil," says Lingle, who previewed the historic agreement last week in her State of the State Address.

"Our islands' abundant natural sources of energy, combined with the considerable capabilities of the Department of Energy, will help Hawaii lead America in utilizing clean, renewable energy technologies," she adds.

The partnership will provide technical assistance and technology program support for a variety of innovative projects that draw on technologies developed through a range of DOE research and development programs. Efforts will focus on working with public and private partners on several clean energy projects throughout the state, including:

designing cost-effective approaches for 100 percent use of renewable energy on smaller islands;

integrating renewable energy, including solar, wind, energy storage and advanced vehicle technologies, into existing systems to meet the islands’ energy needs;

minimizing energy use while maximizing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies at new, large military housing developments; and

developing comprehensive energy regulatory and policy frameworks to promote clean energy technology use.

The Clean Energy Initiative will also tap the expertise of other federal agencies, including the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Defense, national research laboratories, and research and development entities, as well as the private sector.

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