In 2025, the University of Hawaiʻi System has achieved 20.49% of its goal to become net-zero, according to a recent report submitted to the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. The target is for all 10 糖心Vlog官方 campuses to produce as much renewable energy as they consume by January 1, 2035.

The report details the 糖心Vlog官方 System鈥檚 progress toward the initial production target of 198 million kilowatt-hours (kWh). For the reporting period of July 2024–June 2025, 糖心Vlog官方 successfully generated 40,577,541 kWh of renewable energy. This figure is expected to rise as several recently constructed solar systems were not yet energized during this performance period.

“Reaching this 20% milestone is a testament to our ingenuity in the face of a mandate that requires us to hit net-zero by 2035 (a full decade ahead of the rest of the state) without additional resources,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Vice President for Administration Jan Gouveia. “Because this aggressive goal came without financial support, we have had to be creative, securing our own funding through long-term strategic partnerships. Most importantly, we have turned these practical challenges into opportunities for our students, utilizing the pursuit of net-zero as a living laboratory to train the next generation of leaders in environmental innovation.”

Future plans for energy independence

To maximize its energy independence, the 糖心Vlog官方 System has outlined several key plans. These include refining its strategic energy plan to better balance renewable generation with improved energy efficiency measures.

“Reaching over 20% of our net-zero goal is a critical milestone that reflects years of strategic planning and dedicated effort across all 10 campuses,” said Miles Topping, 糖心Vlog官方 director of sustainability. “This progress shows our deep commitment to a sustainable future for Hawaiʻi and demonstrates the tangible impact of our investments in renewable energy and efficiency. Our focus now is accelerating the deployment of new PV projects and energy storage to maintain this momentum and hit our 2035 target.”

Future efforts will focus on maximizing the development of photovoltaic (PV) and other renewable energy sources, and expanding energy storage capacity to increase overall grid resiliency. 糖心Vlog官方 will continue to upgrade lighting, HVAC and lab equipment. New construction and major renovations are required to aim for at least LEED Gold certification and strive for net-zero designs, ensuring 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 infrastructure supports its long-term sustainability mission.

is charging up the island鈥檚 future workforce as its Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIMT) students prepare to meet the demand of a 100% renewable energy grid.

The Kauaʻi CC EIMT class joined by faculty, staff and administrative members visited the 196-acre AES 尝腻飞补ʻ颈 Solar and Energy Storage Project to explore future collaborations. The tour provided valuable information to Kauaʻi CC students that correlates to their education and potential opportunities in the renewable energy industry.

“Our guide explained that the farm produces about 28 megawatts of power, but what really impressed us was the massive battery system sitting quietly off to the side,” said Brandon Finlay, Kauaʻi CC student. “It can store 100 megawatt-hours of energy, meaning the sun鈥檚 power can be captured during the day and used later when people on the island need it most. The panels themselves slowly tilt throughout the day, following the sun like a whole field of metal sunflowers, which helps them capture more light. Learning that the system can act like a ‘peaker plant,’ quickly stepping in to support the grid, made us realize how advanced and important this technology is for keeping Kauaʻi powered—even after sunset.”

Renewable energy workforce

Roughly 60% of Kauaʻi驶s electricity is powered through solar panels, or photovoltaic systems, and with the Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative board of directors鈥� goal of reaching 100% renewable by 2033, there is an increasing need to train professionals on the island. Kauaʻi CC Applied Workforce Technology Division Chair Gordon Talbo said potential internship opportunities for students will become available as this new industry partnership is established.

“Seeing how photovoltaic systems work on a large scale helped my overall understanding,” said Emily Harrah, Kauaʻi CC student.

AES Sr. Stakeholder Relations Manager Carrice Gardner, Project Manager Cameron Haughey, O&M Manager Diedrick Nagle, and Kauaʻi CC EIMT graduate Technician Keanu Dotario facilitated the tour.

Tiny, sun-powered organisms found in freshwater pools could soon fuel Hawaiʻi鈥檚 sustainable future. Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa are charting a path to transform microalgae into a “green gold” reality for biofuels, medicine and nutrition. In a study published in , experts from the (CTAHR) reveal how cutting-edge synthetic biology and metabolic engineering are clearing the way for microalgae production locally and around the world.

Microalgae excel at capturing carbon dioxide and converting it into high-value compounds such as lipids (oils) and terpenoids (organic chemicals). These can be used to create everything from renewable jet fuel to life-saving medications.

“Microalgae have immense potential because they don’t compete with food crops for land or fresh water,” said Zhi-Yan (Rock) Du, an associate professor in CTAHR鈥檚 Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE) and the study鈥檚 lead author. “Our research focuses on how we can ‘reprogram’ these organisms to produce more of these valuable materials efficiently.”

Tweaking internal chemistry

Despite their potential, producing microalgal products at a scale that can compete with petroleum has been difficult. The 糖心Vlog官方 team, including graduate students led by Ty Shitanaka (co-principal investigator with MBBE professor Samir Kumar Khanal), examined how new genetic tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 can optimize the “metabolic superhighways” within the algae.

By tweaking the internal chemistry of the cells, researchers can drive the algae to accumulate higher concentrations of oil and specific health-boosting compounds without slowing down their growth, a common problem in earlier bioengineering attempts.

A sustainable vision for Hawaiʻi

For Hawaiʻi, the state’s year-round sunshine and coastal access provide an ideal environment for algae cultivation.

“This has the potential to help Hawaiʻi create a more resilient, energy-independent economy,” said Khanal. “By integrating microalgae production with wastewater treatment or agricultural byproduct recycling, we can create a system that is both environmentally friendly and economically viable.”

The study also emphasizes the importance of “synthetic biology,” which allows scientists to design biological parts that don’t exist in nature, further pushing the boundaries of what microalgae can produce.

The research was a collaborative effort involving Professor Krzysztof Zienkiewicz from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toru艅, Poland. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

To understand Hawaiʻi’s path to 100% renewable energy by 2045, researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and other institutions co-authored a report . The report addresses the state’s legal mandate to generate all its electricity from renewable sources and assesses the electrical power required for 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 economy without using fossil fuels.

While Hawaiʻi is aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2045, it achieved 31% in 2023. Furthermore, the state consumes nearly nine times more energy than it produces, primarily relying on petroleum, which accounts for 80% of total energy consumption.

“Through producing this report, we found that solar, wind, and batteries on their own will not scale to meet the needs we have,” said Nicole Lautze, report co-author and director of the in the 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa . “Firm (24/7) power generation, which geothermal offers, will be required for the state to achieve 100% renewable.”

The report evaluated non-fossil fuel solutions, which include solar, wind, hydro, biomass, nuclear, geothermal and ocean. This analysis aims to stimulate conversation on how the state should prepare for a non-fossil fuel economy.

Economic vulnerability, oil supply unreliability

According to the report鈥檚 analysis, 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 economy is vulnerable to structural instability within the global oil market. As 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 electricity prices are more than double the U.S. average, the state鈥檚 oil supplies are unreliable in source and price, and the overall global supply is not the only factor in this unreliability. Within 10–20 years, the report suggests, that reliance on oil should be phased out.

“The state should develop post-fossil fuel energy generation and economic capabilities that do not wholly depend on oil, or petroleum products,” said Peter Sternlicht, one of the report鈥檚 co-authors, and board member of

Researchers examined Hawaiʻi’s economic activity, using the data from 2019, and evaluated non-fossil fuel solutions including geothermal. For each of them, the report implemented a feasible energy system scenario in Hawaiʻi.

“We hope that this comprehensive report provides actionable information that our state can use to develop an effective and efficient transition plan away from fossil fuels and toward a more sustainable and stable energy future,” said Lautze.

The University of Hawaiʻi Better Tomorrow Speaker Series is hosting a public conversation to examine the future of clean energy in Hawaiʻi and California. The free event, “Pacific Rising: How California and Hawaiʻi Can Lead the Clean Energy Revolution,” will feature David Hochschild, chair of the California Energy Commission and is set for Thursday, August 7, at 6:30 p.m., in the Bishop Ballroom at AC Hotel Honolulu.

“We are so pleased to welcome David Hochschild to Oʻahu. 糖心Vlog官方 is deeply involved in climate and energy research, from alternative fuels to grid integration to storage, and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships with institutions in California,” said Chip Fletcher, dean of 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 .

Two states, one goal

As federal support for clean energy initiatives faces uncertainty under the current administration, state leadership has become increasingly vital. Hawaiʻi made history as the first state to set a 100% renewable energy target, while California is now making unprecedented investments toward achieving the same goal.

“We look forward to discussing with Chair Hochschild how our states can work together to sustain the clean energy revolution, even as the feds shift into reverse,” said Chris Benjamin, chair and co-founder of Climate Hawaiʻi, a co-sponsor of the event.

Energy expertise

Hochschild leads the California Energy Commission, an $8.5 billion agency responsible for energy planning and policy in the world’s fourth-largest economy. With more than 20 years of experience in energy transformation, he brings extensive expertise to the clean energy transition.

His leadership has earned numerous accolades, including the Sierra Club’s Trailblazer Award, the American Lung Association’s Clean Air Hero Award, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Million Solar Roof True Champion Award. In 2024, he was named the American Energy Society’s Person of the Year.

Climate Hawaiʻi serves as the lead event sponsor, with co-sponsorship from the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Scholars Strategy Network and AC Hotel Honolulu.

The Better Tomorrow Speaker Series is a collaborative initiative of 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa, the Learning Coalition, and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, bringing together thought leaders to address pressing issues facing our communities.

The Regents鈥� Medal for Excellence in Research is awarded by the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents in recognition of scholarly contributions that expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of students and the community.

Sloan Coats

Sloan Coats is an assistant professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and an affiliate of the International Pacific Research Center at the 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. Coats joined 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa in November 2019, after holding postdoctoral and positions at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, as well as faculty roles at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

His research combines advanced statistical techniques, climate models and both observed and paleoclimatic data to investigate climate variability and change across timescales. A key aspect of Coats鈥檚 work is its interdisciplinary nature, reflected in his contributions to diverse fields such as glaciology and seismology.

In addition to his research, Coats is a passionate advocate for the broader research community at 糖心Vlog官方. He co-directs the NSF-funded Earth Sciences on Volcanic Islands Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, which provides undergraduate students with hands-on research experience in Earth sciences.

Matthieu Dubarry

Matthieu Dubarry is an associate researcher at the Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) in the 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. With more than 20 years of experience in renewable energy, he specializes in lithium-ion battery research.

He joined HNEI in 2005 as a postdoctoral fellow, analyzing the usage data from a fleet of electric vehicles. He was appointed to the faculty in 2010, where he has focused on battery testing, modeling and simulation.

Since 2014, Dubarry has led his own research group, supported by funding from federal agencies and industry partners. He is recognized for pioneering data-driven techniques to non-destructively assess lithium-ion battery degradation.

His work has produced a suite of software tools for predicting battery lifespan at both the cell and pack levels. His diagnostic model, ʻalawa鈥攏amed for the Hawaiian word meaning “to diagnose with insight鈥濃�攈as earned global recognition and is used by universities and companies around the world.

Rick Kazman

Rick Kazman is the Danny and Elsa Lui Distinguished Professor of Information Technology Management at the 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa Shidler College of Business. His research focuses on software architecture, analysis tools and technical debt. He helped develop several influential methods and tools, including the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method, Titan and DV8, which are widely used to evaluate and improve the structure and maintainability of software systems.

Kazman has authored more than 250 publications, holds three patents and has written nine books, including Software Architecture in Practice, Technical Debt: How to Find It and Fix It and Designing Software Architectures: A Practical Approach. His work has been widely adopted by Fortune 1000 companies and cited more than 30,000 times, according to Google Scholar.

A leading figure in his field, Kazman currently serves on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society鈥檚 Board of Governors. His contributions continue to shape industry best practices and advance the discipline of software engineering.

Agrivoltaics, which combines solar energy generation with agricultural production, represents a cutting-edge solution to land use challenges. The University of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 Office of Sustainability and participated in a tour of the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Research Center (HARC) Agrisolar project in November. The event highlighted the intersection of renewable energy and agriculture, offering students a firsthand look at an innovative approach to sustainable land use.

The HARC Agrisolar project, established in collaboration with AES Corporation, Longroad Energy and Clearway Energy Group, spans a 230-acre solar farm in Mililani. Underneath the panels, researchers have successfully cultivated crops such as lettuce, strawberries, radish and poha berries since the project鈥檚 inception in June 2022.

“We learned and witnessed how growing agriculture under solar produces higher yields of both food and energy,” said Miles Topping, director of the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Sustainability.

The dual-use system enhances sustainability by creating microclimates that reduce heat stress, conserve water and support biodiversity.

Hands-on experience for students

For engineering students, the tour offered a chance to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. Participants observed thriving crops beneath solar panels and engaged with researchers to understand the challenges and successes of agrivoltaics.

“It was really cool seeing land being used for both agriculture and clean energy production,” said Nicholas Atkins, a 糖心Vlog官方 engineering student. “I am excited to see where their research will take sustainability on Oʻahu.”

The HARC Agrisolar project showcases dual-use systems that address land scarcity, enhance food security, and advance renewable energy while prioritizing Indigenous and locally significant crops. Learn more about the project at .

As the University of Hawaiʻi aims for zero-waste goals, students got a close up look at how waste is handled on Oʻahu through participating in a tour coordinated by the City and County of Honolulu to two waste management facilities: H-POWER and Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in December.

This initiative, coordinated by the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Student Sustainability Council, was part of the broader “Tour de Trash” program at 糖心Vlog官方, which aims to explore the path of our ʻōpala (trash).

“The tour de trash was very eye-opening in learning how our waste gets managed and what gets done to it,” said Alexander Ah-Tye, a 糖心Vlog官方 student participant. “Typically we don鈥檛 give throwing away trash a second thought since it’s out of sight and out of mind. Seeing it in person really makes you consider how much waste we produce within our island. It made me a little self-conscious of all the times I have haphazardly thrown tons of non-recyclable and non-renewable materials away.”

The first stop was H-POWER, a waste-to-energy facility in Kapolei. Participants witnessed how municipal solid waste is incinerated to generate electricity for Oʻahu. A highlight was observing crane operators maneuvering massive amounts of waste into the incinerator. H-POWER processes approximately 700 tons of waste annually, showcasing its role in reducing landfill reliance while generating renewable energy.

The second stop was the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, which manages the final destination for 翱ʻ补丑耻鈥檚 non-recyclable waste. Participants noted the landfill鈥檚 operations and commitment to minimizing its environmental impact.

“This tour was designed to give students a firsthand look at how our waste is managed and transformed into energy,” said Ruby Aliason, 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Sustainability event organizer. “By seeing these processes up close, we hope to inspire students to think critically about waste reduction and sustainability efforts on campus and beyond.”

The at the University of Hawaiʻi (ARL at 糖心Vlog官方) has secured a $110 million, five-year contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), with the potential for a five-year extension. This funding will support groundbreaking research, development, engineering, testing and evaluation of DoD programs.

As one of only five U.S. Navy-sponsored University-Affiliated Research Centers, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 has secured over $175 million in funding since its establishment in 2008. The laboratory conducts innovative research addressing some of today鈥檚 most pressing challenges, including renewable energy, sea-level rise, cybersecurity, underwater munitions detection and coral reef ecology.

“The Applied Research Laboratory at 糖心Vlog官方 is not only tackling critical challenges that impact Hawaiʻi and the world, but it鈥檚 also paving the way for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 students to lead in high-tech fields,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis L. Syrmos. “This partnership positions 糖心Vlog官方 and our state as global leaders in innovative solutions, from coastal defense to renewable energy and advanced cybersecurity.”

Examples of ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 research:

• R3D Coastal Defense: ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 leads the Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense (R3D) initiative, developing hybrid coral reefs to protect coastlines from erosion and storm surges while supporting marine biodiversity.
• Wave Energy Test Site (WETS): In partnership with Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 operates WETS, the first U.S. project to connect wave-generated power to the grid. WETS advances renewable energy innovation and reinforces Hawaiʻi鈥檚 clean energy leadership.
• Locating and Mapping Munitions: For over 15 years, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 has located and mapped thousands of corroding munitions off Hawaiʻi鈥檚 coastlines, reducing risks to public safety and marine ecosystems.
• Cybersecurity: ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 strengthens Pacific region cybersecurity through advanced computing and Machine Learning models, ensuring rapid anomaly detection and infrastructure resilience.
• Shaping the Future of Technology: ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 drives innovation in digital engineering, prototyping, and maritime technologies, advancing solutions for national defense and environmental sustainability.

Related 糖心Vlog官方 News stories:

• 糖心Vlog官方 experts develop new tech to find sea-disposed munitions, September 15, 2024
• 糖心Vlog官方 developed, living coastal-protection system prepares for deployment, September 2, 2024
• ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 provides support for Hawaiʻi during emergencies, May 9, 2024
• ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 work helps data tech earn graduate research fellowship, May 3, 2024
• ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 innovative tech hub for Hawaiʻi, national defense, March 27, 2024
• Autonomous surface vehicles, remote sensors, more on display at MCBH, March 8, 2024

The calls Hawaiʻi an “ideal solar market,” which employs more than 2,300 people and has invested more than $4.8 billion in solar and storage through the second quarter of 2024. To enhance renewable energy education, equipment wholesaler Inter-Island Solar Supply donated thousands of dollars worth of inverters to in October.

“An inverter is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a solar energy system. It鈥檚 a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity, which is what a solar panel generates, to alternating current (AC) electricity, which the electrical grid uses,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The donation will help familiarize students in the with real-world equipment commonly installed in the clean energy industry around the state.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation from to our program,” said EIMT faculty member Renee Dela Cruz. “This contribution enhances our curriculum and provides our students hands-on experience in cutting-edge renewable energy technologies. By integrating solar inverter training into our program, we are equipping our students with essential skills that are increasingly in-demand in today鈥檚 job market.”

The EIMT program prepares students for employment with electrical appliance shops, utility companies, and electrical construction and maintenance companies.

“The Hawaiʻi Community College Electrical Installation and Maintenance Technology program was a key stepping stone in advancing my career,” said Dason Fujimoto, Inter-Island Solar Supply鈥檚 IT systems project manager. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with Inter-Island Solar Supply to give back to this program and help foster the next generation of industry leaders.”

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