Energy Outlook 2018

Renewable Natural Gas

Adding to the clean energy mix is renewable natural gas (RNG), which can be captured from wastewater treatment plants and landfills or developed from energy crops. In 2017, Hawaii Gas, the state’s only regulated gas utility, received approval from the Public Utilities Commission to install new infrastructure to harvest this alternative fuel.

The new equipment will capture and process biogas from the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant on Oahu to create renewable natural gas for those hooked up to the utility’s pipeline. Says Alicia Moy, President and CEO of Hawaii Gas, “It’s exciting to partner with the City and County of Honolulu on this project, which is the first of its kind in Hawaii and is equivalent to eliminating the need for approximately 15,000 barrels of oil and reducing greenhouse gases by the amount produced by 400 cars annually.”

The current biogas output at Honouliuli is estimated to be approximately 800,000 therms per year, equivalent to approximately 15,000 barrels of oil. By selling the biogas, the City and Council of Honolulu will generate $1.6 million of revenue per year.

Image: Thinkstock

What’s Next

Propelled by the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, Hawaii is moving closer towards energy independence through the transformation of financial, regulatory, legal and institutional systems that govern our energy planning and delivery.

“We’re seeing a meaningful change in attitudes across the state when it comes to energy conservation, and certainly having our state leadership make 100% clean energy not just a goal, but law, has been an important catalyst”

Brian Kealoha,
Executive Director of Hawaii Energy

“We’re seeing a meaningful change in attitudes across the state when it comes to energy conservation, and certainly having our state leadership make 100% clean energy not just a goal, but law, has been an important catalyst,” says Brian Kealoha. The development of alternative energy infrastructure and local innovation will help the state diversify its tourism- and military-dependent economy and catalyze the creation of a leading-edge clean energy sector that has the potential to drive long-term economic prosperity in Hawaii.