Robert Rapier is one of the most respected voices on biofuels in the world. He lives on the Big Island now, and a few weeks ago he came to visit us on the farm. In his recent blog post on his Robert Rapier’s R-Squared Energy Blog, (we link to it over there on the right side of this page), he states:
There was a recent article in MIT Technology review called What’s Holding Biofuels Back? There is a relatively simple answer to the question that I will delve into below, but the short answer to “What’s holding biofuels back?” is that we placed unreasonable expectations on them to begin with, and they have simply failed to meet those unreasonable expectations. People would think it was unreasonable if Congress mandated a cure for the common cold within 5 years, but they don’t think twice when Congress mandates the creation of a cellulosic ethanol industry within 5 years. Yet either scenario requires technical breakthroughs that are not assured.
It’s apparent to me that the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) decided to pursue biofuels three years ago, and it’s also apparent to me that inertia is moving them forward. Instead of being at the forefront of change, they are being very sluggish and slow to change directions.
The world has changed and the most important thing now is adaptability. It is not the strongest that will survive, but the ones who can adapt.
What bothers me most is the “one size fits all” way that HECO does business. For example, the PUC rejected HECO’s plan to institute smart grid proportionately for O‘ahu, Maui and the Big Island. They were going to force this on all islands and charge the cost to the ratepayer, in spite of the fact that the Big Island and Maui have different resources than O‘ahu – geothermal. But it’s not surprising, since HECO owns the Big Island’s HELCO and Maui’s MECO.
HECO is pushing hard for biofuels to be used as fuel for its subsidiaries on Maui and the Big Island. They would set up long-term power purchase agreements, which would effectively freeze out geothermal power on both Maui and the Big Island.
Why would we want to freeze out geothermal – which is cheap, dependable and a proven technology that does not emit greenhouse gases? This is our chance to push a solution that could raise our standard of living relative to the rest of the world. A solution that would elevate the host culture, and a solution that would help businesses grow. We must not make the wrong decision.
Get agitated Richard – HECO is a private utility corporation that is stuck on the bottom line mentality and tunnel vision of justifing unprogrssive investments, while disregarding the sustainable and integrated electrical needs of the inhabitants of Hawaii.
Unless the citizens of Hawaii demand a change, whereby the monopoly of a corporate utility that controls the generation and electrical grid at our expense for a profit that thwarts the potential of Hawaii – I say, we all need to get agitated and make a change and take control of the future of our electrical needs. Thanks for getting the agitation going Richard.