WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii – The County of Maui and University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) are proud to announce the alliance of two renewable energy projects here which are being recognized around the world as the first of their kind.
The County is the lead government agency for the Smart Grid Community Demonstration Project, and is working to assist Japanese companies and U.S. Department of Energy’s $30 million smart grid projects, while UHMC was awarded a $300,000 grant to prepare Maui for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Because the Smart Grid project will incorporate grid/ev interaction EV, both the County and UHMC will be working together and sharing project data.
“Both renewable projects will reflect the benefits of one another,” said Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa. “The smart grid project will test how EVs interact and vice-versa. The fact that both projects take place on Maui means potentially huge benefits for our community one day. We could eventually be the home of ground-breaking renewable energy technology.”
UHMC, the Hawaii State Energy Office and other project partners launched the Maui Electric Vehicle Alliance today at an event at the Grand Wailea. Smart Grid project officials estimate that construction of infrastructure will begin next year and data will be collected in 2013.
A community forum will be held in the coming months for Kihei residents who want to know more about the Smart Grid project in their neighborhoods. For more information contact Maui County Energy Commissioner Doug McLeod at 270-7203.
Submitted by Ryan Piros, the Assistant Communications Director for the County of Maui, Office of the Mayor.
Smart grid, negated by dumb cars!
With Smart Grid in place, supposedly to use electricity more efficiently, will it result in reduced electrical cost to the consumer? I don’t think so. While it may result in reduced MECO’s operating costs, I’ll bet the ratepayer pays more.
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