The Hawai’i Energy Conference brings together regional and national experts on energy policy, strategies, leadership and innovation. The 2020 Conference will explore the timely issues of beneficial electrification and the design of an equitable energy transition.
Participants will take a deep dive into how electrification can be “beneficial”. As more functions are served by electricity, demand for electricity will rise. This opens pathways for more deployment of renewable generation, which supports the sort of ambitious decarbonization goals that state legislatures are enacting. What are the benefits, challenges, and practical limits of electrification? Given the wildfire issues affecting the West, will there be the same access to electricity for those who cannot afford microgrids or DERs? Can an electrified system be more resilient and efficient? What are the alternatives to electrification?
How can we break through economic, cultural and linguistic barriers to ensure that we have an energy system that works for everyone? Where should we invest and put equity into equity? What does an equitable energy transition look like? Is it possible to create a transition that respects local cultures, is socially just, and protects our most vulnerable?
These topics are not unique to Hawaii, so whether you live on an island or not, please join us on Maui as we explore pathways to creating an equitable, resilient energy system of the future.
2019 Hawaii Energy Conference Highlights
The 6th Annual Hawaii Energy Conference (HEC), held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on March 27-28, 2019, brought together a number of key decision makers from throughout the state, the nation, and abroad to exchange ideas on the challenges associated with replacing fossil fuels with diverse and renewable energy resources. Presented by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), the conference is a recognized leader in the exploration and discussion of creating new business opportunities for renewable energy, implementing innovations in regulatory and government policy, and gauging trends in renewable energy technology.
