BeyondKONA: Energy
Not since the Industrial Age has the opportunity for change in energy been as great as it is today. There is now a transformation from dirty, extraction-based fossil-fuel energy fuels now imported into Hawai’i, but choices we make as to acceptable “renewable energy” options will have positive or negative consequences and costs to Hawaii’s population and environment.
One thing is certain: $5 trillion dollars annually in global taxpayer subsidies of the fossil fuel (dirty energy) sector is unsustainable, and by any measurement, economically and environmentally, a costly and false economy. (2016-17 World Bank – IMF reports).
Zero emissions energy sources are driving new cost and performance efficiencies and environmental benefits for Hawai’i and that can propel the state’s transformation to a clean energy driven global economy. Hawaii’s abundant sun, wind, water, and geothermal energy assets are Hawaii’s mana.
- Fossil fuel generation pipeline rebounds while new clean generation slows: EDFby Diana DiGangi on October 14, 2026 at 2:55 pm
However, “rising gas turbine costs and supply shortages are already making new gas plants more expensive and slower to build,” David Villagrana, EDF’s […]
- Battery-powered trains coming to Chicago: a first lookby Dan Zukowski on October 14, 2026 at 2:17 pm
Commuter rail systems like Chicago's Metra are exploring battery-electric trains to increase service while reducing diesel exhaust pollution and noise.
- PJM plans to study SoftBank’s Ohio AI project under state agreement approachby Ethan Howland on October 14, 2026 at 2:13 pm
The project, dubbed “Flagship,” includes 765-kV transmission lines to be built by AEP Ohio, roughly 10 GW in data center load and about 10.2 GW in […]
- Scaling residential VPPs could cut electric bill increases by half: Brattleby Robert Walton on October 14, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Utilities should look to OEM-led enrollment strategies to expand residential virtual power plants utilizing thermostats, batteries and EV chargers, according […]
- Battery system failures fell 98% in 7 years, but older systems need special care: reportby Brian Martucci on October 13, 2026 at 5:35 pm
The Electric Power Research Institute analysis found a dramatic drop in energy storage system failures from 2018 to 2025 amid a host of technology and project […]
- How small batteries are helping one NYC business cut energy costsby Robert Freedman on October 13, 2026 at 4:00 pm
Food technology platform Wonder said it is saving about 5% on energy expenses using stationary plug-in batteries. “Our No. 1 goal was to figure out how we […]
- PG&E warns of more shutoffs as fire conditions continue threatening California gridby Diana DiGangi on October 13, 2026 at 3:27 pm
The shutoffs — potentially affecting more than two dozen counties, mostly in northern and central California — could continue through Saturday.
- Solving California’s energy affordability crisis can help the whole nationby Ric O’Connell and Michael O’Boyle on October 13, 2026 at 2:56 pm
The state's electricity prices are double the national average, and wildfires are a big reason — but far from the only one. Fresh leadership can show the way […]
- FERC approves Duke large load transmission rules despite cost-shift concernsby Ethan Howland on October 13, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Commissioner David Rosner said that Duke Energy Carolinas’ proposal offers “meaningful, if imperfect, new protections,” adding that consumer protections […]
- Dominion-NextEra merger hearing focused on rates, data centersby Diana DiGangi on October 12, 2026 at 2:54 pm
“When Dominion was asked about the [Virginia Clean Economy Act], its executive vice president told the commission, ‘I am still your throat to choke,’ and […]