Kahuku Renewable Energy Innovation Center

KHIS’ ambition is to have a supportive role in renewable energy production. In 2007, measures included the decision to develop an technology innovation center at the campus to connect students with mentors that are the leading experts in renewable energy technology.

Renewable energy sources will play an increasingly important role in the future of Hawaii and Kahuku. Increasing fossil fuel prices and various subsidies for renewable energy sources will provide increasingly favorable business conditions for this development.

Of current world energy consumption, a little over 13 per cent is derived from renewable sources and about 7 per cent from nuclear power. The remaining roughly 80 per cent comes from fossil fuel. Of the renewable energy sources, biofuel is by far the most common, hydropower comes second, while at this time the other sources represent a very small proportion of energy consumption. Hawaii’s goal is for 12 per cent of all energy used in 2010 to stem from renewable energy sources, compared with 1 per cent in 1997. As for electricity generation, the goal is 22.1 per cent compared with 13.9 per cent in 1997.

KHIS Renewable Energy Innovation Center Drives Development

KHIS’s ambition is to have a leading role in providing learning opportunities for students to explore renewable electricity and heat generation where the ecological, technical and commercial prerequisites are present – primarily within hydro power, biofuel-fired plants and wind power. KHIS REIC, by standing at the forefront and driving development forward within the framework of its commercial activities, can contribute to ecologically and economically sustainable development.