LIHUE — The U.S. Department of Energy announced Thursday that it will invest $5 million in a Kauai-based biofuels energy project. Hawaii BioEnergy, established in 2006 by three of the state’s largest landowners, will use the funding to develop and
LIHUE — The U.S. Department of Energy announced Thursday that it will invest $5 million in a Kauai-based biofuels energy project.
Hawaii BioEnergy, established in 2006 by three of the state’s largest landowners, will use the funding to develop and test a cost-effective photosynthetic open-pond system to produce algal oil at its research facility near Lihue, according to a DOE release.
“You happen to have one of the premiere algae research facilities in the world on Kauai,” Joel Matsunaga, BioEnergy’s chief operating officer and executive vice president, said by phone Thursday.
The 33-acre facility, located on Grove Farm land next to Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, was built using Department of Defense dollars for the purpose of developing jet fuel from microalgae, according to Matsunaga.
A three-year contract expired in March of 2012.
“Currently, the (research) site is not in operation,” said Matsunaga, adding that now that the DOD project is completed, HBE will use the site for the DOE project.
The process of producing algal oil is similar to turning used French fry grease into diesel fuel, according to Matsunaga.
Because it grows so fast, algae has “tremendous potential,” he said.
Like any other plant, algae needs sunlight and carbon dioxide. As it has in the past, BioEnergy’s Kauai facility will use carbon dioxide from KIUC’s power plant to grow its microalgae.
“We’re keeping greenhouse gases from going into the air and using it to produce energy,” Matsunaga said.
Sen. Mazie Hirono, a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, praised the DOE’s grant announcement Thursday.
“Hawaii’s renewable energy projects and our entrepreneurs are playing a vital role in making our state more energy secure and our economy more sustainable,” she said in a release. “Today’s five million dollar grant from the Obama Administration will help support Hawaii BioEnergy’s efforts to develop more clean and efficient energy here in Hawaii — research that could pay dividends for years to come.”
Although BioEnergy has been selected for the grant, Matsunaga said the company still must go through the negotiating and contract phase.
“I don’t know how long that phase will take … but we’re hopeful it will allow us to start operations early next year,” he said.
The Kauai award was one of only four nationally, aimed at increasing U.S. energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Grants were also awarded in California, New Mexico and Ohio.
“By partnering with industry and universities, we can help make clean, renewable biofuels cost-competitive with gasoline, give drivers more options at the pump and cut harmful carbon pollution,” Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said in a release.
Owned by Grove Farm Company Inc., Kamehameha Schools and Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc., Hawaii BioEnergy’s mission is to “reduce Hawaii energy costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and dependence on imported fossil fuels through the research and development of local renewable bioenergy projects,” according to its website.
For more information visit http://energy.gov.
• Chris D’Angelo, environment writer, can be reached at 245-0441 or cdangelo@thegardenisland.com.
