Sustainability at UHM: A Research Perspective Pete Mouginis-Mark - OVCRGE and HIGP How can Hawaii address our needs to develop renewable energy resources while simultaneously dealing with finite water resources in an environmentally sustainable manner?

Hawaii’s Current Energy Use Sustainability can range from an energy-efficient campus to global issues associated with climate change.

Petroleum provides nearly nine-tenths of all the energy consumed in Hawaii. The transportation sector leads energy demand in Hawaii in large part to heavy jet fuel use by the military and commercial airlines. Hawaii Must Change it’s Energy Habits In 2008, Hawaii spent ~$437,700/hour, every hour, all year* on imported oil! * Based on average of $90/barrel, real cost ranged from $147/barrel in July to $32/barrel in December

Where do we get our energy? Alaska’s North Slope no longer an option US – Alaska More than 96% of Hawaii’s petroleum and 100% of coal now comes from foreign sources

Common Perceptions of Energy Use and Energy Efficiency

Hawaii’s future will be warmer, drier, susceptible to more flash floods and coastal erosion leading to stressed land and coral reef ecosystems Air temperature data demonstrate an accelerating warming trend in Hawaii As carbon dioxide rises, sea water salinity (pH) is increasing – impacting coral reefs among

This change in rainfall patterns will result in: Greater uncertainty in drinking water supply Damage to watersheds and their ecosystems Agriculture put at greater risk Higher incidence of fires More flash flooding and resultant rock falls …But Severe Floods more common? e.g., Manoa Flood Total Rainfall in Hawaii is Decreasing….

Oahu’s Future Water Resources: Increasing Demand and Changing Distribution Increases greatest in W. Oahu

Concept of “Water Footprint” for Individuals

Sea Level has risen ~2 cm/decade and is accelerating! Flooding in low areas near coast Effect of extra 1-meter sea level rise Greater risk of beach erosion and storm damage

Studies at UHM show a 100x erosion multiplier where sea level rises along sandy shorelines. Hence, for a mean 1.0 m rise, beaches will recede 100 m. (Leatherman et al., 2000) Impact of Sea Level Rise in Hawaii

Materials Imported to Oahu – Million Tons, Annually Diagram source: Eckelman & Chertow 2009

School of Architecture College of Engineering Shidler College of Business Honolulu Community College Team Hawai‘i now has 18 months to recruit the best and brightest students, manage the project across multiple departments, perform cutting-edge research, and construct a solar- powered house to compete in Washington, D.C., in Fall The University of Hawai`i will receive $100,000 from the Department of Energy to help defray expenses of building and transporting the house. Team Hawai'i to compete in U.S. Department of Energy's 2011 Solar Decathlon UH Team Members

HawaiiKauai Oahu Maui Future deployment of economically viable renewable energy on each island

Liquid Fuel Use and Potential Production in Hawaii

Implementation of Smart Grid Technologies in Hawaii BUT: Grid stability with numerous renewables, infrastructure support, and privacy are all major issues for introduction

So is Hawaii “Survivable”? Or are we just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic?