For more than a decade, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has partnered with the U.S. Department of the Navy to support clean energy and resilience at installations across the globe. One of the latest successful, groundbreaking projects
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative to Develop Solar + Pumped Storage Hydro Project
On 7 January 2021, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) signed agreements with The AES Corporation (AES) for the development, construction, and operation of the KIUC’s solar pumped storage hydro project (the “West Kaua‘i Energy Project” (WKEP)). A power purchase agreement was also executed and filed with the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission on 31 December 2020.
WKEP will integrate pumped storage hydropower with large-scale solar power, a unique combination in the renewable energy sector. KIUC believes that the pumped hydropower will provide 12 hours of energy storage daily, compared with four to five hours of storage available from existing solar-plus-battery facilities. The long duration storage provided by the pumped-hydro component is expected to enable KIUC to generate 100 percent renewable energy for prolonged periods without sunlight. It also is expected to provide additiona
KAUA‘I ISLAND UTILITY COOPERATIVE TO DEVELOP SOLAR + PUMPED STORAGE HYDRO PROJECT
On 7 January 2021, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) signed agreements with The AES Corporation (AES) for the development, construction, and operation of the KIUC’s solar pumped storage hydro project (the “West Kaua‘i Energy Project” (WKEP)). A power purchase agreement was also executed and filed with the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission on 31 December 2020.
WKEP will integrate pumped storage hydropower with large-scale solar power, a unique combination in the renewable energy sector. KIUC believes that the pumped hydropower will provide 12 hours of energy storage daily, compared with four to five hours of storage available from existing solar-plus-battery facilities. The long duration storage provided by the pumped-hydro component is expected to enable KIUC to generate 100 percent renewable energy for prolonged periods without sunlight. It also is expected to provide additio
Dive Brief:
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) and AES Corp. have executed and filed a power purchase agreement with Hawaii regulators to develop a solar-powered pumped hydro storage project the utility says will bring its total resource mix above 80% renewables.
The West Kauai Energy Project could come online in 2024. A solar array will be capable of sending 35 MW directly to the island s grid and an associated battery will store up to 240 MWh for dispatch during evening peak. The hydro resources are expected to produce 24 MW on average daily, including 12 hours of storage to be used overnight
KIUC says the project will meet about 25% of the island s electricity needs, and puts it on track to exceed the utility s target of reaching 70% renewable generation by 2030.