Hawaii's Energy Future

Future

Energy Sources

Hydrogen

Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, holds promise as a clean and renewable energy source. Hydrogen may be plentiful, but it easily combines with other elements and must be separated to be used as fuel. Hydrogen storage and delivery also need to be addressed.

One of the most promising hydrogen technologies is the fuel cell, which produces electricity electrochemically by combining hydrogen and oxygen without combustion. A fuel cell operates like a battery, but unlike a battery, as long as it is fed hydrogen fuel it won’t run down or require recharging.

Currently fossil fuels are used to separate hydrogen for fuel cells. In the future, renewable energy like solar or wind could be used. HECO has contributed $10,000 to a 12-month study on the feasibility of producing hydrogen from biomass.

HECO hosts the Hawaii Fuel Cell Test Facility, operated by the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI), at its Ward Avenue complex.

More About Hydrogen

U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen Program

Latest News on Hydrogen

Hawaii will host fuel cell meetings

The seminar will take place Nov. 13-17 at the Hawaii Convention Center. More than 2,300 participants and 175 exhibitors from over 36 countries are expected to attend. Event organizers say this year's seminar will be significant because it will be the conference's 30th anniversary. Hawaii was chosen because of its convenient location between Asia and North America. Tours will be offered to the Hickam Air Force Base hydrogen fueling station and fuel cell vehicle demonstration project, and Hawaii's Fuel Cell Test Facility. For more details, visit www.fuelcellseminar.com/index.asp.

--Pacific Business News (Honolulu), 8/28/06