The Hawaii Energy Efficiency Auction is one of a number of energy efficiency initiatives being developed under the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission’s guidance to help electric ratepayers maximize their energy savings. The goal of the auction is to identify and enable turnkey energy efficiency projects that provide the best value (based on first-year and lifetime energy savings).

The Request for Project Applications and an application form are available at http://auction.hawaiienergy.com. Applications must be received online, via email, or in hard copy by Monday, Sept. 29, 2014, by 4 p.m. (Hawaii Standard Time). All companies that are licensed and insured to conduct business in Hawaii can submit an application. There are no application fees.

“Since the inception of Hawaii Energy five years ago, we’ve made tremendous strides in saving ratepayers energy and money on their electric bills. However, there is still great untapped potential to expand our reach to help even more residents and businesses,” said Ray Starling, program director, Hawaii Energy. “With our new Efficiency Auction, we’re calling upon industry professionals to demonstrate their ingenuity and market savvy to bring additional energy-saving solutions to electric customers.”

Proposed projects must serve electric utility ratepayers in Hawaii, Honolulu, and/or Maui counties who pay the public benefit fee charge on their electric bills. Projects that are already under contract do not qualify for the auction.

There is over $977,000 set aside for selected residential projects requiring a minimum incentive commitment of $10,000. Additionally, more than $1.14 million is earmarked for commercial projects with a minimum incentive requirement of $50,000 per selected project. 

There are two project categories: (1) Targeted Projects, which focuses on specific target markets (residential or commercial) or specific technologies and (2) Innovative Projects, which are new energy efficiency technologies not currently offered by Hawaii Energy.

The residential target markets include renters and hard-to-reach geographic areas. Specific technologies may include smart thermostats, solar thermal water heaters for multifamily homes, occupancy sensors, and whole home monitors/energy management systems. 

The commercial target markets consist of professionally-managed housing (e.g., privately-managed communities or military housing), schools, health care, small businesses, and restaurants, as well as businesses in hard-to-reach geographic areas. Specific technologies may include controls (e.g., lighting and building management systems), refrigeration/cold storage, kitchen equipment, and re-commissioning/retro commissioning.

Applicants will be notified if their project is selected by Oct. 17, 2014. Preference will be given to projects that can be completed by May 30, 2015. However, longer duration projects may be accepted based on value to the program. 

For more information, contact John Rei at 808-839-8823 or visit http://auction.hawaiienergy.com.

Publication date: 9/8/2014

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