When: Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Where: NELHA Gateway Center
Presenter: Keith Okamoto, Manager - Chief Engineer of Department of Water Supply
What's the connection between wind power and our water supply? Come hear how a proposed new wind farm will save Hawaii County water supply customers one million dollars per year in energy costs.
Hawaii County Department of Water Supply (DWS) is refurbishing a wind farm that has been in Lālāmilo, South Kohala, since the mid-1980s. The proposed new wind farm, located adjacent to eight DWS water wells, will provide a much less expensive renewable energy source for the DWS pumping equipment. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado helped by modeling the energy output for the site. To maximize the use of renewable energy, radio controls will be installed to allow DWS to remotely operate its wells together with the wind farm operations. Once operational, the system is anticipated to save DWS customers $1.0 million per year in energy costs.
Keith Okamoto, P.E., Manager - Chief Engineer of Department of Water Supply, will describe the project design, modeling results, and anticipated benefits. Mr. Okamoto started working at the Department in 1996 as a licensed civil engineer in the Water Resources and Planning Branch of the Engineering Division. There he helped ensure the safety of the water supply and compliance with State Department of Health rules and regulations. He worked his way up through the department and was selected as the new Manager - Chief Engineer (the department head) in June 2015.
This pau hana is potluck, so please bring a pupu and non-alcoholic beverage to share. Reusable plates and cups are encouraged, as is taking home your own trash.
Agenda:
5:00-5:15 p.m. Gather and Networking
5:15-6:15 p.m. Presentation and Q&A
6:15-7:30 p.m. More Networking