Kahuku Wind Power has just
become the newest in a line of eight innovative companies and projects
now receiving large loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Just as Tesla Motors snagged $465 million for its electric sedan and
Solyndra took in $535 million for innovative cylindrical solar systems,
this experimental wind startup just received a $117 million
stimulus loan guarantee to build a 30-megawatt farm on the island
of Oahu.
If you thought California was ambitious, endeavoring to generate 33 percent of its power from renewable source by 2020, Hawaii’s sights are even loftier. The state’s Clean Energy Initiative has set a goal to meet 70 percent of its energy demand with clean sources by 2030. The Kahuku plant could definitely make this target more realistic, especially since the islands currently get 90 percent of their energy from pricey imported oil.
If the Kahuku farm comes to fruition, it could deliver wind power to 7,700 homes via the Hawaiian Electric Company. Right now, the blueprints call for 12 turbine generators, putting out 2.5 megawatts each. There will also be a battery storage system installed to make the wind power more consistent and stabilize the energy load — this is what distinguishes it from other major wind farms. Because each island has its own contained electrical grid, the state is an apt laboratory for this sort of work.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Hawaiian wind project bags $117M stimulus loan guarantee | VentureBeat
Author: Camille Ricketts
