“The Achievable Imperative” (Part 2 of a 2 part series)
By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero
Why should we spend money to save energy? Because…gas pump prices have nearly tripled since 2002 while oil companies continue to report profits of $700-800 billion each….Hawaii depends more on foreign oil for its energy and has higher rates than any other state…as we near peak oil production, the oil companies are going to explain further increases in fuel costs as due to the need to spend billions in drilling beautiful natural landscape….the investment saves substantial sums over the long term, freeing up financial resources….taking action now is the only real way to shield Hawaii from higher prices in the coming long-term foreign oil crunch.
Achievable? Berlin’s energy efficiency measures in 600,000 apartments resulted in a 50% drop in city energy use. Parts of Germany use savings from the drop in oil-based electricity bills to pay for its mass scale solar panel installation.
Kudos to…
Hawaiian Electric for allowing a solar system to be built and operated at its Ward Avenue facility. Although it will only be 155 kw (roughly enough for 700 households), it’s a step in the right direction. Woking Burrough, England, and many parts of Germany use district systems (combined heat and power, fuel cells, and other types of renewables) with the added advantage of increased efficiency due to shorter transmission distances.
Forest City, which manages Navy and Marine housing on Oahu, for its ENERGY STAR homes with solar water heaters; efficient air conditioners; CFL light bulbs; high efficiency, double paned windows; and insulation in excess of local building codes. The “Low E” windows and highly insulated roof and walls keep heat out of the home so that homes stay cool with less air conditioning. Centrally situated solar power systems are in the works to power clusters of homes. Forest City designs preserve natural cooling elements by incorporating shade trees. Tree cuttings become mulch, and structural backfill is made using recycled concrete from torn down buildings. These practices conserve natural resources and divert tonnage from landfills.
Harley Davidson for energy efficiency. Solar panels supply most of its electricity. A huge fan reduces building temperature by three degrees with hardly any electricity. Condensation from the air conditioners is channeled to water the lawn and wash motorcycles. Neighbor Wendy’s waste cooking oil is mixed with diesel to operate a generator that supplies lights and power.
Pacific Biodiesel, which recycles used cooking oil and saves over 40 tons per month of it from being poured into Maui landfills. Its fuel operates well in a conventional diesel engine with very few or no engine modifications and is used in generators of all sizes, commercial diesel equipment, vehicles, and marine vessels. Besides the huge landfill reduction benefit, this environmentally friendly fuel reduces tailpipe emissions, visible smoke and noxious odors.
Sharing the Effort — Utility companies have renewable energy targets (RPS–renewable portfolio standard), and bear the cost of constructing these systems. One possible incentive is to allow the standard to be met by the aggregate of individual microgeneration systems. That is, if the standard is that 10% of electricity must be produced by renewable energy, instead of HECO spending huge amounts to build a wind farm to generate that 10%, individual systems could be aggregated and counted toward that 10%. This gives HECO an incentive to negotiate large scale discounts, promote, finance, and in other ways help consumers and businesses to purchase their own systems.
Save the Gas for the Airplanes — Alternative energy vehicles enjoy high mileage, low gas costs, and protection against increases in gas prices. San Diego’s refuse trucks are fueled by gas made from converted methane from its landfill – gas which it makes available to the public. California encouraged hybrid cars by allowing them to ride in the HOV lanes. Senator Ron Menor this year introduced a bill to create a clean fuel revolving fund to give rebates on purchases of alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles, and exempt these purchases from the GET. Senator Hanabusa introduced a bill that allows hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles to ride in HOV lanes, get free on-street parking, and a carryover-eligible purchase tax credit. Biogas powers some trains in Sweden. The Union of Concerned Scientists installed a “green charger” for its electric vehicles. Fueled by non-fossil fuels, the electric cars are the cleanest power on the road
Changing the Way Architects and Engineers Think — Architects and engineers should incorporate energy efficiency and self-sufficiency in design. Why? Because keeping a client’s utility bills low through integrated renewable energy systems and low consumption means more dollars going to profit or disposable household income. Separate lighting switches for different areas; light sensors that shut off lights when no one is in the room; air conditioning sensors that turn off the A/C when the room is vacant for an extended period; lowering water use through mechanical water faucets and efficient shower heads; seawater air conditioning or air balanced room temperature systems; natural lighting and ventilation; and appliances with auto-hibernate/off features, will help keep a client’s electrical bills low. Vertical wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, waste-fuel electricity generators, or other microgeneration systems can help shield clients from increases in electricity rates.
Speaking of Homes — California now requires photovoltaic panels as a standard option on new homes. Oregon will be offering a tax credit of up to $1500 for home fuel cell electricity generators when they come on the market. South Australia is proposing legislation to encourage home photovoltaic power systems by rewarding homeowners with double credit for energy fed back into the system.
Landfill and Sewage Powered Electricity Generation — Banbury, England, and San Diego use methane from sewage treatment to generate electricity. San Diego’s treated wastewater powers a 1.35 megawatt hydroelectric plant. North Carolina and Toronto, Canada, use methane from landfills to generate electricity.
LED Lighting — LEDs are brighter, last much longer, and are far more energy efficient than regular light bulbs. Portland, Oregon, is saving more than a quarter million dollars each year from its retrofit of its traffic signal lights with LED lights. San Francisco’s LED traffic signals save $1.2 million a year for the city. Syracuse, New York, is replacing its street lighting and traffic signals with LED. The burrough of Woking, England, converted its street and roadway lighting to LED and recouped its cost in the first year in electricity savings.
Municipal Efforts – Photovoltaic systems on San Diego facilities generate 18 megawatts of power. San Francisco has installed one of the largest city owned solar power systems in the US, and its energy efficiency projects save the city nearly $11 million per year in energy costs, and made it possible to close aging power plants rather than spend money renovating them.
Japan Is Ahead of the Game Again — In 2000, the Japanese government compelled big phone companies to open up wires to jump start Internet providers. Broadband exploded. The low cost, ultra high speed, high definition applications are being used to help Japan meet its goal of doubling its telecommuting workforce. Health clinics in remote areas can now, with the right fiber connections and equipment, gain access to medical expertise located in big cities via Broadband. How does this help energy independence? No need to use cars to drive the distance. The Bush Administration should get on board so the US doesn’t get too far behind.
We’re putting together legislation for the next Session in January. Please let me know if you think these will help reduce the Hawaii’s vulnerability to rising oil prices.
Senator Will Espero represents the 20th Senatorial District (Waipahu, Ewa, Ewa Beach and West Loch) on the Island of Oahu. He also serves as the Chair of the Senate’s Public Safety Committee.