The $500,000 for biomass energy will allow UH researchers to work toward the long term goal of Hawaii energy independence by: (1) developing high yield tropical feedstock, (2) optimizing biomass conversion of feedstock into useful forms of energy, and (3) demonstrating the integration of bioenergy systems.

Abercrombie said, “High energy prices are giving Hawaii a big push down the road to energy independence.  Senator Akaka and I secured funding for sugar-to-ethanol in last year’s energy bill, and this project is a good fit into that strategy.”

Currently, 90 percent of Hawaii’s energy comes from imported fossil fuels. As the most

geographically isolated part of the United States, Hawaii is particularly vulnerable to

supply shortages. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop local energy production

capacity to improve the state’s energy security. 

An essential component in reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels is the development of bio-based renewable energy resources. Biomass energy or bioenergy is

the conversion of organic matter such as agricultural crops, trees, grasses, or other biological material, into liquid or gaseous forms to generate electric power, transportation fuels, or fuel gases.

Bioenergy generation comprises biomass production, biomass conversion, and

biosystems integration. Biomass production is growing the organic matter or

“feedstock” that will be used to generate useful energy.  Biomass production

encompasses agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, or commercial culture of the feedstock.

Common feedstock include sugarcane, eucalyptus, and aquatic species (microalgae).

Biomass conversion is the transformation of the feedstock into a fuel, electricity, or other

consumable form of energy.  Biosystems integration merges biomass production and biomass conversion into a sustainable, commercially profitable energy producing system.

Hawaii’s year-round growing season, available agricultural lands, and high quality

aquatic environments make it an ideal location for bioenergy production.

While the UH researchers have determined that biodiesel and ethanol are the two most promising candidate biofuels for Hawaii, the optimal feedstock for biofuel generation have not been identified.

The research will be conducted primarily by the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI).

Key research personnel in the project include Drs. Andrew G. Hashimoto, C. Barry Raleigh, Charles Kinoshita, Goro Uehara, Ping-Yi Yang, Scott Turn, Michael Antal, Michael Cooney, Mark Huntley, Stephen Masutani, and Jian Yu.

-30-