"Clean Energy: Picking up the Pace in 2011"

Hawaiian Electric Company's latest newsletter featuring updated information on new technologies, customer projects, and the status of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative.

 "Clean Energy: Picking up the Pace in 2011". Powerlines. Summer 2011.

Appropedia: The Sustainability Wiki

Mission: Sharing knowledge to build rich and sustainable lives.

Appropedia is the "Wikipedia" of sustainability. This internationally used site has information on all things sustainable such as detailed descriptions of the different renewable energy technologies, creative new RE inventions, and information on RE projects done all over the world. The name Appropedia comes from the idea of "Appropriate Tehnology". Below is a description of appropriate technology directly from the Appropedia website. Appropedia is a great place to share information and collaborate with others on renewable energy. It's a wiki so it is free to sign up and would be a perfect place to post projects you may have done with your students.

Appropriate technology (AT) is technology that is designed with special consideration to the context of its use - including environmental, ethical, cultural, social, political, and economical aspects of the community it is intended for. With these goals in mind, AT proponents claim their methods require fewer resources, are easier to maintain, and have less of an impact on the environment compared to techniques from mainstream technology, which they contend is wasteful and environmentally polluting.

The term is usually used to describe simple technologies proponents consider suitable for use in developing nations or less developed rural areas of industrialized nations. This form of "appropriate technology" usually prefers labor-intensive solutions over capital-intensive ones, although labor-saving devices are also used where this does not mean high capital or maintenance cost. In practice, appropriate technology is often something described as using the simplest level of technology that can effectively achieve the intended purpose in a particular location. In industrialized nations, the term appropriate technology takes a different meaning, often referring to engineering that takes special consideration of its social and environmental ramifications.

Island Energy Inquiry Leadership Seminar

Educators from all over the islands gathered here at our MEDB Lab in Kihei, Maui to learn about and participate in activities related to renewable energy, in hopes of adding these activities to their current curriculum. The Island Energy Inquiry program is led by Diana Papini-Warren, a project manager for Women in Technology and MEDB. This is a compilation of pictures taken by the IEI leaders during the workshop this past June. Each participant was lent their own personal Ipod Touch to take pictures of various renewable energy activities throughout the day. They completed a couple of wind turbine projects and also a solar power activity. Mahalo to Eliza Akana, Ignacio Arcas, Gentry Hirohata, Pam Kohara, Holly Lee, J. Mitchell, Debby Tisdell, and Karen Umeda for participating.

Island Energy Kit Materials - Where to Buy

Wondering where to buy energy inquiry materials for your classroom?

Here is a list of vendors with contact info and links to their websites.
IEI Vendor List

Hawaii Energy, Toshiba Lighting the Future for Small Business and Non Profits

Small business and nonprofit organizations will soon receive LED lamps at no cost to themselves. Through participation in Hawaii Energy’s Lighting the Future offering, these organizations will save energy and money while helping Hawai’i to reduce its dependence on imported oil.

“Hawaii Energy is investing in small business and nonprofit energy efficiency with our Lighting the Future offering” said Ray Starling, Hawaii Energy program manager. “This is an exciting opportunity for participants to realize energy savings by making a change to energy efficient LED lighting. We encourage all who qualify to apply!”

Hawaii Energy hopes Lighting the Future will encourage energy conservation and efficiency measures throughout the small business and nonprofit communities. The offering is aimed at providing small businesses and nonprofits exposure to energy-saving LED lighting technology. This offer will be available while supplies last.

Interested small businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Through a competitive bidding process, Hawaii Energy selected Toshiba as its partner in providing this offering to qualifying Hawai’i applicants. In its bid, Toshiba provided competitive pricing and a “buy one, get one free” promotional opportunity.

Participants must agree to install the LED lamps prior to June 30, 2011.

Qualifications:
In order to qualify your organization will be a:

1. Small business on an electric utility rate schedule that begins with the letter “G”, for General Service.

2. Nonprofit organization classified as a 501(c) on an electric utility rate schedule that begins with “G” or “J”.

3. For small businesses and nonprofits that do not pay for electricity directly, please call 521-2189 for more information on qualifications and how to apply.

4. Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai or Oahu commercial electric utility customers.

To find your electric rate schedule look at your electric utility bill or contact Hawaii Energy.

Application Process:
Download the application online at www.hawaiienergy.com.

1. The form must be filled out accurately prior to submission.

2. After submission, applicants will receive a letter of confirmation or contact from a Hawaii Energy representative.

3. Qualifying applicants will receive directions to pick-up locations, many located throughout the state.

Please see Lighting the Future flyer for additional information and FAQs.

For more information, please visit http://www.hawaiienergy.com/.

Hawaii Energy, a ratepayer-funded conservation and efficiency program administered by SAIC under contract with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, serves the islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu.

Video Resources - Teaching Science as Inquiry, Energy, and more

Here are some video resources from UH SeaGrant on “Teaching Science as Inquiry”, solar energy and more...

Link to all videow directly at: http://www.vimeo.com/marinescience

Or by island:
Oahu: http://mse.seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/oahu-lectures
Hawai`i Island: http://mse.seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/hawaii-island-lectures

A good reason to recycle those energy saving Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs!

Los Angeles Times report

Unrecycled New Light Bulbs Release Mercury into the Environment http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lightbulb-mercury-20110407,0,3406825.storyThe nation’s accelerating shift from incandescent lighting to a new generation of energy-efcient bulbs is raising an environmental concern: the release of tons of mercury every year.The most popular new bulb–the compact fluorescent light bulb, or CFL–accounts for a quarter of new bulb sales. Each contains up to 5 milligrams of mercury, a potent neurotoxin that’s on the worst-offending list of environmental contaminants.Demand for CFL bulbs is growing as government mandates for energy-efficient lighting take effect, yet only about 2% of residential consumers and one-third of businesses recycle the new bulbs, according to the Assn. of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers. As a result, U.S. landfills are releasing more than 4 tons of mercury annually into the atmosphere and storm water runoff, according to a study in the Journal of the Air and Waste Management Assn.http://ow.ly/4w2dZ

Upcountry Sustainability & The Sustainable Living Institute of Maui present: Zero Waste: A Cost Effective and Sustainable Approach for Maui's Future

Jennifer Chirico will present her research on ‘Zero Waste’ and lead a discussion about its possibilities on Maui. The event will be held on January 18, 6pm to 7:30pm, at UH-Maui College, Pilina Building, in the Multi-Purpose Room. The event is free and the public is welcome.

Zero waste programs are the most cost effective ways that local communities can contribute to reducing climate change and the use of landfills, promote local sustainability, protect health, create green jobs, and maximize resources. Zero waste processes guide people in changing their practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, and create a system where all discarded materials become resources.

Jennifer Chirico is the Executive Director of the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui at UH-Maui College. She is currently completing her PhD in Sustainability, holds a Masters in Environmental Health, and is certified in zero waste. She has been conducting sustainability research for 10 years and providing business consulting to businesses around the world for the last 15 years. For further information, call Melanie at 573-9260

The NEED Project – National Energy Education Development

Great Resource for Teachers!

The mission of the NEED Project is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, business, government and community leaders.

Check out http://www.need.org/

Link to PowerPoints and PDF's for teaching renewable energy concepts!

http://www.need.org/node/156

Learn about Energy Studies, Rebates and Lighting for Small Businesses

Upcoming event on Maui that which helps support small businesses increase efficiency. For more information check out High Tech Maui at:

http://www.hightechmaui.com/wp/?p=341

To Register Download Flyer:
http://www.hightechmaui.com/pdf/IndustryandManufacturesInvitation.pdf

Hawaii Energy

We recently learned how 30% of the 70% Clean Energy by 2030 goal is increasing efficiency. Here is the entity that is taking the lead to help Hawaii achieve that goal.

http://www.hawaiienergy.com/

Blue Planet - CFL Exchange Programs & Much More!

The Blue Planet Foundation
http://blueplanetfoundation.org/index.php

Molokai Residents Exchanged Incandescent Bulbs for CFLs over a two month period! Over 30,000 CFLs are now lighting up homes and businesses in a more efficient way on island!

Lokelani Intermediate School is leading an exchange program on Maui! Help them out and save energy by exchanging your bulbs for new CFLs!