Hawai’i Gas unveils state’s ‘first’ RNG facility

Hawai’i Gas, the state’s ‘only’ regulated gas utility company, announced that it has commenced operations at a renewable natural gas (RNG) facility sited at the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant in ‘Ewa Beach, Honolulu.

As a collaboration between Hawai’i Gas and the city of Honolulu, the facility converts sewage waste-derived biogas into pipeline-quality RNG which initially will produce 800,000therms (23,440,000KWh) of energy per year for homes and businesses.

“Climate change and the resulting rise in sea level is already having an impact on O‘ahu and is the most critical issue we face,” said Honolulu mayor Kirk Caldwell.

“The ability to capture biogas from our sewage is the type of innovative project that will help us reach our renewable energy goals sooner rather than later. I thank Hawai‘i Gas for partnering with us on this exciting initiative, which will help us meet our clean energy targets while also generating revenue for the city.

Hawai’i Gas won the contract for the operation in July 2016, and claims to have invested an estimated $5 million (€4.39 million) in equipment and infrastructure to process the raw biogas and connect the facility to the company’s existing gas pipeline.

“Renewable natural gas is clean, sustainable energy. An entirely local product, RNG produced from waste gas helps reduce Hawaiʻi’s dependence on imported oil,” said Alicia Moy, president & CEO, Hawaiʻi Gas.

“This RNG project is an important step toward Hawaiʻi’s clean energy goals. Through this project with the City and County of Honolulu, Hawai’i Gas is delivering even cleaner gas to our O‘ahu pipeline customers for cooking, water heating, clothes drying and outdoor torch lighting. The RNG produced at Honouliuli helps build resiliency and diversity of supply to meet Hawai‘i’s energy needs. RNG leverages existing infrastructure to deliver greener fuels to our customers while providing an incremental revenue source to the city.”