Wind on Oʻahu: A Modest but Valuable Complement to Solar - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica discusses the role of wind energy as a complementary renewable resource to solar power on the island of Oʻahu. It begins by emphasizing the importance of accurately assessing Oʻahu’s electricity needs after electrifying all fossil fuel end uses, such as transportation and heating. This electrification reduces overall energy demand due to the higher efficiency of electric technologies compared to combustion engines. The analysis estimates that Oʻahu would require about 6,000 GWh of electricity annually to meet these needs, with total grid electricity slightly higher when accounting for transmission losses. The challenge for renewable energy planning is thus to reliably produce around eight terawatt-hours per year. Solar energy is identified as the largest renewable resource on Oʻahu, with potential from rooftop, parking canopy, agrivoltaic, vertical, and utility-scale solar installations capable of exceeding the island’s electricity demand. However, solar power peaks midday and declines in the evening when demand often rises, necessitating additional storage or complementary generation