Is ‘100 percent renewable’ in Hawaii’s future?

The language we use to communicate and how it will be understood and interpreted will be different for each individual.

"100 percent renewable" can have a literal, pragmatic or an inspirational (not aspirational) meaning, depending on one’s knowledge and interest.

If one is to define 100 percent renewable literally, it just means that 100 percent of our electricity needs will be generated from renewable resources.

It does not acknowledge that the generation of electricity is just one part of a larger, complex system, nor does it acknowledge the cost, equity and accessibility issues.

The electricity system is an equation governed by physics and economics; 100 percent renewable literally addresses only one part on one side of the equation.

Defining 100 percent renewable through a pragmatic lens helps one to take a systems approach to reach that goal by assessing all parts of the energy system that will lay the foundation to move toward a 100 percent renewable goal cost-effectively and methodically, to reduce risk and improve our chances for a successful transformation.

Through this lens, one begins to understand the paradigm shift required.

For example, as Hawaii moves further away from the traditional central power design to integrating more renewable resources (both utility and customer-sited systems), the utility model shifts from generating electricity for supply to satisfy demand to incentivizing the use of electricity to when the cleaner and cheaper resources are most abundant-that is, shifting demand to when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing.

This paradigm shift also recognizes the utility as the aggregator of data-that is, the analysis and management of data for the efficient delivery and usage of the cleanest and cheapest electrons while maintaining power quality and stability of the grid.

When one defines 100 percent renewable as an inspiration, it requires everyone to think about energy differently, to redesign how we live and do business more efficiently and sustainably to achieve that goal. I chose inspiration over aspiration because to inspire connotes instigation and innovation, whereas aspire can just mean hope and dreams. We must be inspired to do and implement, not just talk and dream.

Unless there are major technical and cost breakthroughs in the near future, 100 percent renewable is a journey that many of us will not see accomplished in our lifetime. However, we can lay a no-regret, solid foundation for the next generation by combining pragmatism and inspiration to articulate Hawaii’s 100 percent renewable target.

Failure is not an option in this endeavor. Because of the significant infrastructure investments that need to be made, Hawaii has only one chance to get it right or it’s going to be a very expensive energy transformation done on the backs of those who can least afford it.

Yes, Hawaii’s governor has a bullypulpit and a very important role to articulate and inspire Hawaii’s energy future -but his recent linear description and pronouncement is not a complete vision.

100 percent renewable is an easy soundbite; its implementation is not.