What is HNEI?
The Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute (HNEI), a research unit of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), conducts research of state and national importance to develop, test, and evaluate novel renewable energy technologies. The Institute leverages its in-house work with public-private partnerships to demonstrate real-world operations and enable integration of emerging technologies into the energy mix. Founded in 1974, HNEI was established in statute in 2007 to address critical State energy needs.
HNEI Mission
To research, develop, test, demonstrate, and validate cost effective and practical solutions to deliver commercially viable renewable energy and energy efficiency to Hawai‘i and the world.
HNEI employs an integrated approach to developing public/private partnerships and management of projects to reduce Hawai‘i’s dependence on imported energy resources and move the state toward energy self-sufficiency, including projects that: 1) address critical technical, scientific, and policy barriers to achieving energy self-sufficiency; 2) emphasize innovative technologies and approaches focusing on environmental attributes, reliability, and affordability; 3) ensure that technologies and processes developed will be commercially viable; and 4) give priority to indigenous Hawai‘i resources.
HNEI Spotlights
Research Areas
Latest HNEI News
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January 2, 2024 HNEI Publishes 1st Public Battery Relaxation DatasetHNEI Associate Researcher Matthieu Dubarry and his team recently published the first publicly available commercial Li-ion battery relaxation...
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January 1, 2024 Recent HNEI Publications (July – December 2023)Below is the list of peer-review papers published by HNEI faculty and staff from July to December 2023....
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August 3, 2023 DOE Renews HNEI Contract for Converter-Dominated Power Systems StudyHNEI GridSTART researchers has successfully secured a two-year contract renewal from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This...