Study of Oahu’s Electric Grid

Why We Invested

To study the potential enhancement of the security, reliability, and dependability of the electric grid on Oahu

This study of Oahu’s electric grid project had the potential to allow Hawaiian Electric to address technical issues for the integration of a high penetration of variable renewable energy, improve electrical system security, and optimize capacity and redundancy on Oahu’s electric grid. The study also looked to identify ways to apply analytics to better predict potential risks and issues, such as those resulting from natural disasters. By using an integrated approach that incorporates both operational and transformational information technologies, the State of Hawaii Department of Defense (DOD) would examine means to improve overall grid reliability while bridging the gap between efforts to integrate alternative energy solutions and efficiently manage consumption. 

The project goals included: 

• Understanding the current Hawaiian Electric electrical grid environments
• Reviewing past disruptive events and lessons learned
• Analyzing issues related to the inclusion of variable renewable sources onto the electric grid
• Analyzing data sources for new insights, optimizations and efficiencies
• Development of recommendations and insights

Our Partners

Ulupono Initiative collaborated with the state DOD (which includes the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security), Hawaiian Electric, and the Sensemaking-PACOM Fellowship. 

How We Partnered

Ulupono Initiative provided $500,000 toward the study of potential enhancements of the security, reliability, and dependability of the electric grid on Oahu