Hydropower
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Use of Hydropower in Hawaii
Hawaii has several hydropower plants located on the Islands of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui. Although they are small in comparison to many Mainland facilities, they have furnished power to sugar mills and the three island utility companies for many years.
The Wailuku River Hydroelectric Power Company plant is the largest in the state and began producing electricity in May 1993. The plant, which took five years and $30 million to plan and build, is located on state conservation land about five miles from Hilo. A diversion channel was dug to feed three miles of five-foot diameter pipe (penstock) with rushing water for the plant's two turbines.
Other plants supply power for their own operations and can also provide electricity to the electric utility.
More hydropower plants on Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui have been proposed. Several projects have been identified which could supply power at less cost than the utility's avoided cost.
Reports
Complete list of on-line publications
Current; includes reports on renewables in general, and renewable portfolio standards, which include hydro.
Links to Federal Information
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) website:
- http://www.ferc.gov/for-citizens/for-citizens.asp has a project search feature and a regional map.
- http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower.asp has information on projects which have received either preliminary permits or licenses. FERC considers ocean waves, tides and currents to be hydropower.
The U.S. Department of Energy's "Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy" website - http://www.eere.energy.gov/ - has information on energy efficiency and renewable energy for homeowners, businesses, kids, teachers, and the general public, as well as links to national laboratories and financial opportunities.