Washington, D.C. -- Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and partners Referentia, the University of Hawaii and the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute have been selected to receive $5,347,000 in stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  It is part of the largest single investment in energy grid modernization in U.S. history.  $3.4 billion in federal grant awards will be matched by industry funding, for a total public-private investment of more than $8 billion.

The Smart Grid is a technologically advanced network to carry electrical power throughout the Oahu service area.  It will eventually include smart meters, smart appliances, smart transformers, and other components that will allow utilities to keep minor disturbances in the system from becoming wider power outages or even blackouts.  HECO will use the grant funds to help automate high electric load distribution circuits serving eastern Oahu, which will reduce the duration and scope of any power disruptions in the future. 

“A Smart Energy Grid will better allow electrical power to be more efficiently distributed where and when it’s needed,” said U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie, a leading Congressional advocate for using alternative fuels and renewable energy to achieve energy independence for the country.  “But beyond that, Smart Grid is at the heart of Hawaii’s ability to promote energy efficiency, help individuals and businesses save money on utility bills, defer the need for building expensive additional electric generating capacity, and, ultimately, to accommodate the increased use of alternative energy fuels and renewable technologies.”

In the future, the grid will make it possible to use renewable energy, like wind and solar power, to take advantage of clean energy resources when they’re available and make adjustments when they’re not.  With a Smart Grid, individual ratepayers could monitor their home energy usage and program their smart appliances to run during off-peak hours when the total demand on the electric system is lower. 

“This is an opportunity to further develop Hawaii’s technology businesses and technology partnerships,” Abercrombie said.  “This is critical to our economic and energy future because Smart Grid will create new high-tech employment and investment opportunities.”

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