Status of Hawaii's ocean energy projects and permitting regime

Hawaii's wave energy resource is abundant enough, theoretically, to supply most of the state's electricity. In addition, the Hawaiian Islands are situated perfectly for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). Tidal and ocean current resources, however, are less promising. The State of Hawaii's Renewable Portfolio Standard requires that 40% of its electricity come from renewable resources by the year 2030, a significant change from today-Hawaii is presently highly dependent on fossil fuels for both electricity and transportation. In 2009, Hawaii relied on imported petroleum for nearly 85% of its primary energy and 75% of the net megawatt-hours of electricity generated in the state. Ocean energy is anticipated to play a role in achieving Hawaii's clean energy goal. Toward that end, the University of Hawaii's Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) has been designated as one of three National Marine Renewable Energy Centers by the U.S. Department of Energy. HNEI is implementing projects to test components, devices, and interconnection systems for wave energy at sites on the islands of Oahu and Maui, and is supporting OTEC R&D at the existing Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority facility on the island of Hawaii. Recognizing that obtaining permits for renewable energy projects is a major barrier to their implementation, the state has drafted a guide to renewable energy facility permits in Hawaii and has established a facilitated permitting process. Electrical generation projects with a capacity of 200 MW or more are automatically eligible to enter into the Renewable Energy Facility Siting Process (REFSP), and smaller projects may also request facilitation. Companies wishing to use the state's facilitated permitting process will meet with the Hawaii State Energy Office permitting coordinator. If the company is accepted into the REFSP, the coordinator will assist in developing a permit plan. The permitting coordinator has authority to convene an interagency working group with representatives from all the government agencies which will require permits for the project. Because incomplete applications and applicants' delays in responding to agency requests for additional information can slow the process, early meetings will help all parties understand their responsibilities and facilitate communication. In addition, the State of Hawaii is developing an online permitting system which would coordinate and streamline certain state permits. In its first phase, online applications for several critical permits required of the State Department of Health are being created. Future expansion of the system is expected to include other State of Hawaii permitting agencies. Other barriers to achieving Hawaii's clean energy goals also exist, including the impact of a high percentage of intermittent renewable electricity on isolated island grids. Solutions such as smart grid demonstrations, tests of battery storage systems, and interisland cables are being pursued. A number of ocean energy developers are pursuing RD&D projects in Hawaii. Several companies are also proposing pilot ocean thermal energy conversion plants in Hawaiian waters. In addition, in 2009, a 500-kW project by Oceanlinx off the northern coast of Maui was granted a preliminary permit by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Also that year, OPT redeployed its third PowerBuoy in Kaneohe Bay, an effort supported by the US Navy. The permitting process for this project is explained.