In 2025, the University of �鶹��ý System has achieved 20.49% of its goal to become net-zero, according to a recent report submitted to the �鶹��ý State Legislature. The target is for all 10 UH campuses to produce as much renewable energy as they consume by January 1, 2035.

The report details the UH System’s progress toward the initial production target of 198 million kilowatt-hours (kWh). For the reporting period of July 2024–June 2025, UH successfully generated 40,577,541 kWh of renewable energy. This figure is expected to rise as several recently constructed solar systems were not yet energized during this performance period.

“Reaching this 20% milestone is a testament to our ingenuity in the face of a mandate that requires us to hit net-zero by 2035 (a full decade ahead of the rest of the state) without additional resources,” said UH Vice President for Administration Jan Gouveia. “Because this aggressive goal came without financial support, we have had to be creative, securing our own funding through long-term strategic partnerships. Most importantly, we have turned these practical challenges into opportunities for our students, utilizing the pursuit of net-zero as a living laboratory to train the next generation of leaders in environmental innovation.”

Future plans for energy independence

To maximize its energy independence, the UH System has outlined several key plans. These include refining its strategic energy plan to better balance renewable generation with improved energy efficiency measures.

“Reaching over 20% of our net-zero goal is a critical milestone that reflects years of strategic planning and dedicated effort across all 10 campuses,” said Miles Topping, UH director of sustainability. “This progress shows our deep commitment to a sustainable future for �鶹��ý and demonstrates the tangible impact of our investments in renewable energy and efficiency. Our focus now is accelerating the deployment of new PV projects and energy storage to maintain this momentum and hit our 2035 target.”

Future efforts will focus on maximizing the development of photovoltaic (PV) and other renewable energy sources, and expanding energy storage capacity to increase overall grid resiliency. UH will continue to upgrade lighting, HVAC and lab equipment. New construction and major renovations are required to aim for at least LEED Gold certification and strive for net-zero designs, ensuring UH’s infrastructure supports its long-term sustainability mission.

is charging up the island’s future workforce as its Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIMT) students prepare to meet the demand of a 100% renewable energy grid.

The Kauaʻi CC EIMT class joined by faculty, staff and administrative members visited the 196-acre AES ����ɲ�ʻ�� Solar and Energy Storage Project to explore future collaborations. The tour provided valuable information to Kauaʻi CC students that correlates to their education and potential opportunities in the renewable energy industry.

“Our guide explained that the farm produces about 28 megawatts of power, but what really impressed us was the massive battery system sitting quietly off to the side,” said Brandon Finlay, Kauaʻi CC student. “It can store 100 megawatt-hours of energy, meaning the sun’s power can be captured during the day and used later when people on the island need it most. The panels themselves slowly tilt throughout the day, following the sun like a whole field of metal sunflowers, which helps them capture more light. Learning that the system can act like a ‘peaker plant,’ quickly stepping in to support the grid, made us realize how advanced and important this technology is for keeping Kauaʻi powered—even after sunset.”

Renewable energy workforce

Roughly 60% of Kauaʻiʻs electricity is powered through solar panels, or photovoltaic systems, and with the Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative board of directors’ goal of reaching 100% renewable by 2033, there is an increasing need to train professionals on the island. Kauaʻi CC Applied Workforce Technology Division Chair Gordon Talbo said potential internship opportunities for students will become available as this new industry partnership is established.

“Seeing how photovoltaic systems work on a large scale helped my overall understanding,” said Emily Harrah, Kauaʻi CC student.

AES Sr. Stakeholder Relations Manager Carrice Gardner, Project Manager Cameron Haughey, O&M Manager Diedrick Nagle, and Kauaʻi CC EIMT graduate Technician Keanu Dotario facilitated the tour.

Tiny, sun-powered organisms found in freshwater pools could soon fuel �鶹��ý’s sustainable future. Researchers at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa are charting a path to transform microalgae into a “green gold” reality for biofuels, medicine and nutrition. In a study published in , experts from the (CTAHR) reveal how cutting-edge synthetic biology and metabolic engineering are clearing the way for microalgae production locally and around the world.

Microalgae excel at capturing carbon dioxide and converting it into high-value compounds such as lipids (oils) and terpenoids (organic chemicals). These can be used to create everything from renewable jet fuel to life-saving medications.

“Microalgae have immense potential because they don’t compete with food crops for land or fresh water,” said Zhi-Yan (Rock) Du, an associate professor in CTAHR’s Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE) and the study’s lead author. “Our research focuses on how we can ‘reprogram’ these organisms to produce more of these valuable materials efficiently.”

Tweaking internal chemistry

Despite their potential, producing microalgal products at a scale that can compete with petroleum has been difficult. The UH team, including graduate students led by Ty Shitanaka (co-principal investigator with MBBE professor Samir Kumar Khanal), examined how new genetic tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 can optimize the “metabolic superhighways” within the algae.

By tweaking the internal chemistry of the cells, researchers can drive the algae to accumulate higher concentrations of oil and specific health-boosting compounds without slowing down their growth, a common problem in earlier bioengineering attempts.

A sustainable vision for �鶹��ý

For �鶹��ý, the state’s year-round sunshine and coastal access provide an ideal environment for algae cultivation.

“This has the potential to help �鶹��ý create a more resilient, energy-independent economy,” said Khanal. “By integrating microalgae production with wastewater treatment or agricultural byproduct recycling, we can create a system that is both environmentally friendly and economically viable.”

The study also emphasizes the importance of “synthetic biology,” which allows scientists to design biological parts that don’t exist in nature, further pushing the boundaries of what microalgae can produce.

The research was a collaborative effort involving Professor Krzysztof Zienkiewicz from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

To understand �鶹��ý’s path to 100% renewable energy by 2045, researchers at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa and other institutions co-authored a report . The report addresses the state’s legal mandate to generate all its electricity from renewable sources and assesses the electrical power required for �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s economy without using fossil fuels.

While �鶹��ý is aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2045, it achieved 31% in 2023. Furthermore, the state consumes nearly nine times more energy than it produces, primarily relying on petroleum, which accounts for 80% of total energy consumption.

“Through producing this report, we found that solar, wind, and batteries on their own will not scale to meet the needs we have,” said Nicole Lautze, report co-author and director of the in the �鶹��ýMānoa . “Firm (24/7) power generation, which geothermal offers, will be required for the state to achieve 100% renewable.”

The report evaluated non-fossil fuel solutions, which include solar, wind, hydro, biomass, nuclear, geothermal and ocean. This analysis aims to stimulate conversation on how the state should prepare for a non-fossil fuel economy.

Economic vulnerability, oil supply unreliability

According to the report’s analysis, �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s economy is vulnerable to structural instability within the global oil market. As �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s electricity prices are more than double the U.S. average, the state’s oil supplies are unreliable in source and price, and the overall global supply is not the only factor in this unreliability. Within 10–20 years, the report suggests, that reliance on oil should be phased out.

“The state should develop post-fossil fuel energy generation and economic capabilities that do not wholly depend on oil, or petroleum products,” said Peter Sternlicht, one of the report’s co-authors, and board member of

Researchers examined �鶹��ý’s economic activity, using the data from 2019, and evaluated non-fossil fuel solutions including geothermal. For each of them, the report implemented a feasible energy system scenario in �鶹��ý.

“We hope that this comprehensive report provides actionable information that our state can use to develop an effective and efficient transition plan away from fossil fuels and toward a more sustainable and stable energy future,” said Lautze.

The University of �鶹��ý Better Tomorrow Speaker Series is hosting a public conversation to examine the future of clean energy in �鶹��ý and California. The free event, “Pacific Rising: How California and �鶹��ý Can Lead the Clean Energy Revolution,” will feature David Hochschild, chair of the California Energy Commission and is set for Thursday, August 7, at 6:30 p.m., in the Bishop Ballroom at AC Hotel Honolulu.

“We are so pleased to welcome David Hochschild to Oʻahu. UH is deeply involved in climate and energy research, from alternative fuels to grid integration to storage, and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships with institutions in California,” said Chip Fletcher, dean of UH ����ԴDz�’s .

Two states, one goal

As federal support for clean energy initiatives faces uncertainty under the current administration, state leadership has become increasingly vital. �鶹��ý made history as the first state to set a 100% renewable energy target, while California is now making unprecedented investments toward achieving the same goal.

“We look forward to discussing with Chair Hochschild how our states can work together to sustain the clean energy revolution, even as the feds shift into reverse,” said Chris Benjamin, chair and co-founder of Climate �鶹��ý, a co-sponsor of the event.

Energy expertise

Hochschild leads the California Energy Commission, an $8.5 billion agency responsible for energy planning and policy in the world’s fourth-largest economy. With more than 20 years of experience in energy transformation, he brings extensive expertise to the clean energy transition.

His leadership has earned numerous accolades, including the Sierra Club’s Trailblazer Award, the American Lung Association’s Clean Air Hero Award, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Million Solar Roof True Champion Award. In 2024, he was named the American Energy Society’s Person of the Year.

Climate �鶹��ý serves as the lead event sponsor, with co-sponsorship from the �鶹��ý State Energy Office, Scholars Strategy Network and AC Hotel Honolulu.

The Better Tomorrow Speaker Series is a collaborative initiative of UH Mānoa, the Learning Coalition, and the �鶹��ý Community Foundation, bringing together thought leaders to address pressing issues facing our communities.

The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research is awarded by the University of �鶹��ý Board of Regents in recognition of scholarly contributions that expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of students and the community.

Sloan Coats

Sloan Coats is an assistant professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and an affiliate of the International Pacific Research Center at the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. Coats joined UH Mānoa in November 2019, after holding postdoctoral and positions at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, as well as faculty roles at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

His research combines advanced statistical techniques, climate models and both observed and paleoclimatic data to investigate climate variability and change across timescales. A key aspect of Coats’s work is its interdisciplinary nature, reflected in his contributions to diverse fields such as glaciology and seismology.

In addition to his research, Coats is a passionate advocate for the broader research community at UH. He co-directs the NSF-funded Earth Sciences on Volcanic Islands Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, which provides undergraduate students with hands-on research experience in Earth sciences.

Matthieu Dubarry

Matthieu Dubarry is an associate researcher at the �鶹��ý Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) in the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. With more than 20 years of experience in renewable energy, he specializes in lithium-ion battery research.

He joined HNEI in 2005 as a postdoctoral fellow, analyzing the usage data from a fleet of electric vehicles. He was appointed to the faculty in 2010, where he has focused on battery testing, modeling and simulation.

Since 2014, Dubarry has led his own research group, supported by funding from federal agencies and industry partners. He is recognized for pioneering data-driven techniques to non-destructively assess lithium-ion battery degradation.

His work has produced a suite of software tools for predicting battery lifespan at both the cell and pack levels. His diagnostic model, ʻalawa—named for the Hawaiian word meaning “to diagnose with insight”—has earned global recognition and is used by universities and companies around the world.

Rick Kazman

Rick Kazman is the Danny and Elsa Lui Distinguished Professor of Information Technology Management at the UH Mānoa Shidler College of Business. His research focuses on software architecture, analysis tools and technical debt. He helped develop several influential methods and tools, including the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method, Titan and DV8, which are widely used to evaluate and improve the structure and maintainability of software systems.

Kazman has authored more than 250 publications, holds three patents and has written nine books, including Software Architecture in Practice, Technical Debt: How to Find It and Fix It and Designing Software Architectures: A Practical Approach. His work has been widely adopted by Fortune 1000 companies and cited more than 30,000 times, according to Google Scholar.

A leading figure in his field, Kazman currently serves on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society’s Board of Governors. His contributions continue to shape industry best practices and advance the discipline of software engineering.

Agrivoltaics, which combines solar energy generation with agricultural production, represents a cutting-edge solution to land use challenges. The University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s Office of Sustainability and participated in a tour of the �鶹��ý Agriculture Research Center (HARC) Agrisolar project in November. The event highlighted the intersection of renewable energy and agriculture, offering students a firsthand look at an innovative approach to sustainable land use.

The HARC Agrisolar project, established in collaboration with AES Corporation, Longroad Energy and Clearway Energy Group, spans a 230-acre solar farm in Mililani. Underneath the panels, researchers have successfully cultivated crops such as lettuce, strawberries, radish and poha berries since the project’s inception in June 2022.

“We learned and witnessed how growing agriculture under solar produces higher yields of both food and energy,” said Miles Topping, director of the UH Office of Sustainability.

The dual-use system enhances sustainability by creating microclimates that reduce heat stress, conserve water and support biodiversity.

Hands-on experience for students

For engineering students, the tour offered a chance to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. Participants observed thriving crops beneath solar panels and engaged with researchers to understand the challenges and successes of agrivoltaics.

“It was really cool seeing land being used for both agriculture and clean energy production,” said Nicholas Atkins, a UH engineering student. “I am excited to see where their research will take sustainability on Oʻahu.”

The HARC Agrisolar project showcases dual-use systems that address land scarcity, enhance food security, and advance renewable energy while prioritizing Indigenous and locally significant crops. Learn more about the project at .

As the University of �鶹��ý aims for zero-waste goals, students got a close up look at how waste is handled on Oʻahu through participating in a tour coordinated by the City and County of Honolulu to two waste management facilities: H-POWER and Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in December.

This initiative, coordinated by the UH Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Student Sustainability Council, was part of the broader “Tour de Trash” program at UH, which aims to explore the path of our ʻōpala (trash).

“The tour de trash was very eye-opening in learning how our waste gets managed and what gets done to it,” said Alexander Ah-Tye, a UH student participant. “Typically we don’t give throwing away trash a second thought since it’s out of sight and out of mind. Seeing it in person really makes you consider how much waste we produce within our island. It made me a little self-conscious of all the times I have haphazardly thrown tons of non-recyclable and non-renewable materials away.”

The first stop was H-POWER, a waste-to-energy facility in Kapolei. Participants witnessed how municipal solid waste is incinerated to generate electricity for Oʻahu. A highlight was observing crane operators maneuvering massive amounts of waste into the incinerator. H-POWER processes approximately 700 tons of waste annually, showcasing its role in reducing landfill reliance while generating renewable energy.

The second stop was the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, which manages the final destination for ��ʻ�����’s non-recyclable waste. Participants noted the landfill’s operations and commitment to minimizing its environmental impact.

“This tour was designed to give students a firsthand look at how our waste is managed and transformed into energy,” said Ruby Aliason, UH Office of Sustainability event organizer. “By seeing these processes up close, we hope to inspire students to think critically about waste reduction and sustainability efforts on campus and beyond.”

The at the University of �鶹��ý (ARL at UH) has secured a $110 million, five-year contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), with the potential for a five-year extension. This funding will support groundbreaking research, development, engineering, testing and evaluation of DoD programs.

As one of only five U.S. Navy-sponsored University-Affiliated Research Centers, ARL at UH has secured over $175 million in funding since its establishment in 2008. The laboratory conducts innovative research addressing some of today’s most pressing challenges, including renewable energy, sea-level rise, cybersecurity, underwater munitions detection and coral reef ecology.

“The Applied Research Laboratory at UH is not only tackling critical challenges that impact �鶹��ý and the world, but it’s also paving the way for �鶹��ý’s students to lead in high-tech fields,” said UH Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis L. Syrmos. “This partnership positions UH and our state as global leaders in innovative solutions, from coastal defense to renewable energy and advanced cybersecurity.”

Examples of ARL at UH research:

• R3D Coastal Defense: ARL at UH leads the Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense (R3D) initiative, developing hybrid coral reefs to protect coastlines from erosion and storm surges while supporting marine biodiversity.
• Wave Energy Test Site (WETS): In partnership with �鶹��ý Natural Energy Institute, ARL at UH operates WETS, the first U.S. project to connect wave-generated power to the grid. WETS advances renewable energy innovation and reinforces �鶹��ý’s clean energy leadership.
• Locating and Mapping Munitions: For over 15 years, ARL at UH has located and mapped thousands of corroding munitions off �鶹��ý’s coastlines, reducing risks to public safety and marine ecosystems.
• Cybersecurity: ARL at UH strengthens Pacific region cybersecurity through advanced computing and Machine Learning models, ensuring rapid anomaly detection and infrastructure resilience.
• Shaping the Future of Technology: ARL at UH drives innovation in digital engineering, prototyping, and maritime technologies, advancing solutions for national defense and environmental sustainability.

Related UH News stories:

• UH experts develop new tech to find sea-disposed munitions, September 15, 2024
• UH developed, living coastal-protection system prepares for deployment, September 2, 2024
• ARL at UH provides support for �鶹��ý during emergencies, May 9, 2024
• ARL at UH work helps data tech earn graduate research fellowship, May 3, 2024
• ARL at UH innovative tech hub for �鶹��ý, national defense, March 27, 2024
• Autonomous surface vehicles, remote sensors, more on display at MCBH, March 8, 2024

The calls �鶹��ý an “ideal solar market,” which employs more than 2,300 people and has invested more than $4.8 billion in solar and storage through the second quarter of 2024. To enhance renewable energy education, equipment wholesaler Inter-Island Solar Supply donated thousands of dollars worth of inverters to in October.

“An inverter is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a solar energy system. It’s a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity, which is what a solar panel generates, to alternating current (AC) electricity, which the electrical grid uses,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The donation will help familiarize students in the with real-world equipment commonly installed in the clean energy industry around the state.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation from to our program,” said EIMT faculty member Renee Dela Cruz. “This contribution enhances our curriculum and provides our students hands-on experience in cutting-edge renewable energy technologies. By integrating solar inverter training into our program, we are equipping our students with essential skills that are increasingly in-demand in today’s job market.”

The EIMT program prepares students for employment with electrical appliance shops, utility companies, and electrical construction and maintenance companies.

“The �鶹��ý Community College Electrical Installation and Maintenance Technology program was a key stepping stone in advancing my career,” said Dason Fujimoto, Inter-Island Solar Supply’s IT systems project manager. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with Inter-Island Solar Supply to give back to this program and help foster the next generation of industry leaders.”

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