Renewable hydrogen: The Hawaii Hydrogen Power Park

PETR 45

Richard Rocheleau, rochelea@hawaii.edu1, Mitch Ewan2, and Scott Q. Turn, sturn@hawaii.edu1. (1) Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1680 East West Road, Post 109, Honolulu, HI 96822, (2) Chemistry, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii, Manoa, HI 96822
Hawaii derives over 90% of its energy from imported fossil fuels including over 80% of its electricity from petroleum. High petroleum costs combined with isolated grid systems result in some of the highest energy costs in the nation. Fortunately, Hawaii is blessed with a diversity of renewable energy resources. Utilizing these renewable resources to produce hydrogen to diversify the energy mix has been on ongoing goal in the state. In 2002 HNEI initiated development of the Hawaii Hydrogen Power Park Program to conduct engineering and economic validation of pre-commercial hydrogen technologies in support of USDOE's Technology Validation Program. Under this program HNEI has tested major hydrogen system components, has participated in 5tpd gasification experiments to evaluate the potential for cost effective hydrogen production and is now embarking on the development of a renewably powered hydrogen fueling station. Details of this work will be reported.