Analysis of Solar Community Energy Storage for Supporting Hawaii's 100% Renewable Energy Goals

<p>Solar PV generation has become an integral part of the renewable energy industry. With state-level, renewable portfolio standards in place, solar power demand has substantially increased and become a competitive and economically viable energy solution throughout the world. Hawaii has one of the most aggressive renewable portfolio standards with a goal of 100 percent renewable generation by 2045. However, there are challenges that are preventing the growth of the solar PV market in Hawaii including equal accessibility to solar power and solar power overloading causing grid instability. With Hawaii’s high annual solar radiation, PV generation could play a significant role in reaching 100 percent renewable generation as long as a solution is put in place to alleviate overload to the grid while also expanding the adoption of solar. Community solar and energy storage techniques could potentially provide the support the solar industry needs to achieve this goal in Hawaii. This paper evaluates the success of two solar community energy storage projects, the Detroit Edison Community Energy Storage Project and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Anatolia Pilot Project, based on five criteria, the state’s renewable portfolio standard, available funding, level of solar incentives, site location, and amount of annual solar radiation. Based on this analysis, recommendations for the implementation of solar community energy storage projects in Hawaii are provided to determine if solar community energy storage techniques can facilitate growth in the solar PV market by overcoming the grid instability and accessibility challenges affecting utility companies throughout the Hawaiian Islands. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Environmental Management (MSEM)

Level thesis:degree_level

Project/Capstone - Global access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environmental Management

Year dc:date.available

2017

Author dc:creator

• Takata, Erin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Maggie Winslow

• Community Solar
• Energy Storage
• Renewable Energy
• Hawaii's Solar Industry
• Renewable Portfolio Standard
• Electricity Grid Overload
• Natural Resources Management and Policy
• Oil, Gas, and Energy
• Sustainability

Repository record dc:identifier

https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/544

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.usfca.edu:capstone-1568