Governing Green Power

Technological advance has markedly reduced the cost of renewable energy, particularly wind and solar. But since these power sources are intermittent and less controllable than traditional fossil fuel power plants, we will need new institutions to manage them in an efficient and socially regarding way. To some extent, we are hamstrung by the institutional history connected to traditional power generation. Hawai‘i, though rich in renewable energy, is isolated and therefore lacking in ability to use transmission to help achieve its ambitious renewable energy goals. This fact puts the state on the bleeding edge of these institutional and technological challenges.

Institutional change tends to lag technological change. Our aim is to narrow the time lag between technological change and the institutional changes needed to make better use of advancing technology in the energy sector. If we can help navigate the required institutional changes, then in this small but crucial way, our remote islands might help the world reduce fossil fuel emissions and limit the extent of global warming.

Our group is a diverse mix of faculty at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, plus a few others from the community intimately involved with our renewable energy transition. We call ourselves the Governing Green Power Steering Group.

By design, we are a diverse bunch, and while we share the goals described above, we possess a a range of viewpoints about how to achieve those goals. Views expressed here are those of the individual authors, not necessarily those of the University of Hawai‘i or other institutions with which any of us are affiliated, or of our group as whole. To further broaden our views, comments from the community are welcomed.