Clean energy groups to collaborate on energy research projects

A group of energy organizations has signed a key Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on energy research projects. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the Electricity Innovation Institute (E21), the Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO), and the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) at the University of Hawaii signed on to the project.

Research will focus on emerging renewable, energy-efficient, and environmentally sensitive energy applications, including distributed generation, on-site, central station, and transportation technologies.
"Turning promising energy technologies into a commercial reality takes a joint public/private effort," said Michael May, HECO president and CEO. "With this partnership we have a critical mass of resources and experiences that can significantly speed up the commercialisation of new energy technologies."

The partnership will jointly develop proposals for research, development, and demonstration projects in an effort to more rapidly advance emerging energy technologies.