HILO — A smarter, stronger, more reliable electrical grid is the goal of Hawaiian Electric’s modernization plan to be discussed during two public meetings next week on Hawaii Island.
Implementing the draft plan is projected to cost $205 million companywide during the next six years, and is intended in part to help the utilities handle higher demand for rooftop solar and other renewable resources.
The open house meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday in the Waiakea High School cafeteria in Hilo and Tuesday in the Council Chambers at the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kailua-Kona. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.
The nearly 250-page page report — which addresses grids on Oahu and Maui and Hawaii counties — includes some blunt acknowledgements.
“The companies realize that meeting our customers’ needs and achieving our clean energy goals is not possible with our current grid,” it says. “In other words, the grid we have is not the grid we need.”
The goal then is to switch from a one-way power system to one that can better handle two-way power flows, such as from customers with rooftop solar panels.
Doing that requires new technology, such as use of “smart meters,” which can transmit readings to the utility close to real time, and the option of demand response programs that allow for variable rates.
“The strategy is not to blanket the entire island with smarter meters,” said Hawaii Electric Light Co. spokeswoman Rhea Lee-Moku. “We’re looking at doing it strategically” where there is high use of rooftop solar.
She said Hawaii Island has an estimated capacity of 75 megawatts of energy from about 11,000 photovoltaic systems.
Additionally, near-term work identified in the plan includes reliance on advanced inverter technology to assist with more rooftop solar; enhanced outage management and notification technology; and more use of voltage management tools and automated controls.
Public comment also can be submitted to gridmod@hawaiianelectric.com until Aug. 9. The plan was submitted to the state Public Utilities Commission in June.
To view the plan, visit https://tinyurl.com/yamgogmh.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.