UPC Wind Signs Agreement With Department of Energy to Establish National Wind Technology Center on Maui
To: ENERGY EDITORS
Contact: Barbra Pleadwell of Hastings & Pleadwell, A Communication Co., +1-808-538-0797, ext. 1, bap@hastngsandpleadwell.com, for UPC Wind Partners, LLC
HONOLULU, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — UPC Wind Partners, LLC, a the Massachusetts-based wind farm company, today signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to study the integration of wind technology into the Hawai’i utility system.
As part of the agreement, NREL will establish a Remote Research Affiliate Partner Site at UPC’s Kaheawa Wind Farm in West Maui. It is the first such partner site for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s wind technology program outside of its base in Colorado.
Hawai’i Governor Linda Lingle was instrumental in architecting the collaborative partnership as part of her administration’s ongoing efforts to increase Hawai’i's energy independence. NREL is the nation’s primary laboratory for energy efficiency and renewable energy research and development.
The Maui satellite of NWTC will collaborate with UPC Wind on studies to develop advanced wind energy technologies, including energy storage and integration of renewable electricity into Maui’s existing electrical grids. The goal is to help the industry reduce the cost of energy so that wind can compete with traditional energy sources, providing a clean, renewable alternative for Hawai’i's and the nation’s energy needs.
“Our Kaheawa Wind Farm is an ideal site to aggressively explore what can be done to reduce Hawai’i's dependence on imported oil,” said Paul Gaynor, President and CEO of UPC Wind Partners, LLC. “Gov. Lingle has made a concerted effort to encourage wind power development in Hawai’i, as the state seeks to grow its energy independence. We’re looking forward to participating in this partnership to help develop new technologies that can grow the wind industry as the leading provider of renewable power in the country.”
“The establishment of a presence of the National Wind Technology Center on Maui recognizes our islands’ abundant renewable resources, and the advancements we are making to transform Hawai’i into one of the world’s first economies based primarily on clean energy resources,” said Governor Lingle. “This partnership will provide Hawai’i with invaluable technical assistance, access to leading- edge research, and relationships with additional national partners as we seek to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels,” the Governor added.
Wind energy is one of many technologies being investigated as part of the Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative, which aims to have 70 percent of Hawaii’s energy come from clean, renewable sources by 2030. This latest partnership was initiated between the State of Hawai’i and the U.S. Department of Energy in January 2008.
SOURCE UPC Wind Partners, LLC
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