End-Use Efficiency Working Group

The End-Use Efficiency working group is dedicated to creating zero net-energy buildings and communities and reducing energy consumption dramatically in other high-use areas, including military bases and installations.

Goal

The overarching goal of this working group is to help Hawai‘i achieve a 30% decrease in energy use through energy efficiency by 2030. As such, its current focus is on fostering compliance with the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard of 4,300 gigawatt hours by 2030, which Gov. Linda Lingle signed into law in June 2009.

The Numbers Behind the Portfolio Standard

Careful analysis has indicated that Hawai‘i has the potential to reduce its energy load by 500 megawatts through energy-efficiency measures implemented over the next two decades. Since a 500-megawatt power plant operating 8,760 hours a year at full capacity produces roughly 4,300 gigawatt hours of electricity, it follows that achieving a 500-megawatt reduction in Hawai‘i's load by 2030 will save 4,300 gigawatt hours of electricity—about 30% of the demand forecasted for that year.

Short-Term Objectives

The End-Use Efficiency working group is working toward the following short-term objectives:

  • Perform an analysis of new and existing residential buildings and new and existing commercial buildings to determine where the greatest potential for savings exists and what mix of technologies will reach the zero-energy goal most cost effectively.
  • Chart a practical way to reduce energy use by 30% through energy efficiency by 2030.
  • Provide a basis for measuring progress.

Issues and Challenges

The End-Use Efficiency working group is seeking solutions to numerous challenges and potential roadblocks associated with meeting the new Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard by 2030, including

  • Improving energy efficiency for new residential and commercial buildings. Solutions include demonstration projects and code changes, including
    • "Hawi‘ianization" of IECC 2006 (in place for state buildings; counties are in various stages of adoption)
    • Working with the Department of Hawai‘ian Homelands, the Hawai‘ian Department of Community Development, and military housing providers on zero-energy home and community demonstration projects
    • "Hawi‘ianization" of IECC 2009 (may include the efficiency package required for ZEB)
    • ZEB codes (2015).
  • Improving energy efficiency of existing buildings. Solutions include
  • Replacing lighting and appliances
  • Increasing the penetration of solar water heating (current level is 25%)
  • Increasing the numbers of energy audits and retrofits
  • Establishing new policies (exploring several options, including a residential energy conservation ordinance)
  • Integrating a specific demand-reduction goal into the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative.

Milestones

Since it began meeting in 2008, the End-Use Efficiency working group has already achieved a number of milestones, including

  • Contracting with Booz Allen Hamilton and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to perform an analysis of new and existing residential buildings and new and existing commercial buildings to determine where the greatest potential for savings exists
  • Launching a new Hawai‘i Energy Efficiency Program when newly enacted legislation allowed the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission to appoint a third-party administrator (who assumed authority in July 2009) to oversee the energy-efficiency programs previously administered by the utility companies.

Projects

The End-Use Efficiency working group is in various stages of discussion, analysis, and planning related to

  • Seawater air-conditioning projects (Waikiki; Kona Airport)
  • Zero-energy demonstration projects
    • Kaupuni Village (DHHL)
    • Military housing (Forest City, Actus)
    • Kona Airport .

Contacts

  • Paul Norton, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, End-Use Efficiency working group co-chair
Department of Energy
State of Hawaii