This section provides summaries of archived research projects.
PHA Bioplastics from Biomass (2015-2022)
Developed a biorefinery technology to produce biochar-like solid fuel and bioplastics from cellulosic biomass.
Seawater Air Conditioning Environmental Monitoring (2017-2022)
Developed a thorough understanding of the baseline oceanographic conditions at the proposed site of the Honolulu SWAC system, and ultimately used this data to assess the environmental impacts of its operation.
Liquid Fuels from Synthesis Gas (2012-2020)
Developed technologies to produce high-grade liquid fuel from synthesis gas derived from agricultural wastes.
Regenerative Air Filtration Materials (2013-2020)
Develop air filtration materials that are capable of regeneration through UV light exposure, which could be used to purify air for stationary and vehicle fuel cell power plants.
Methane Hydrates (2001-2020)
Supported exploration of hydrate reservoirs, development of methods to destabilize hydrates to produce methane fuel, and advanced our understanding of the environmental impacts of methane and other hydrocarbons in the ocean.
Microbial Degradation of Hydrocarbons in Marine and Estuarine Environments (2010-2020)
Identified aquatic microbes that effectively degrade hydrocarbon pollutants in estuaries and the ocean and elucidate the mechanisms of this degradation.
Methane Harvesting for Seafloor Power Generation (2019)
Identified robust, practicable systems to harvest fuel methane from seafloor seeps and converted it to electrical power. Developed a conceptual design of the best candidate system for a 1kW subsea AUV charging station.
Methane Dissolution Rates in the Deep Ocean (2019)
Employed HNEI’s unique laboratory-scale deep ocean simulator facility to measure the dissolution rate and hydrodynamic behavior of methane bubbles at conditions in the ocean down to 1000m depth.
Bio-Oil Extraction (2009-2018) – Michael Cooney
Investigated and patented a multi-component process that extracted bio-oils, protein, fermentable sugars, and high value metabolites from oil-bearing biomass using ionic liquid based solvents.
Advanced Design, Control, and Application of Ceiling Fans: Gap Evaluation (2017-2018)
Evaluated fan typologies, control options, and operational characteristics and provided research-based design guidelines to assist in space planning, design, and product selection.
Electric Vehicle Transportation Center (2013-2018) – Kathy McKenzie
Partnered with Florida Solar Energy Center to test commercial lithium ion batteries under Vehicle-to-Grid and Grid-to Vehicle conditions to forecast their durability and assess battery degradation factors in relation to EV technologies.
O‘ahu Distributed PV Grid Stability Study (2015-2017)
Evaluated grid stability and dynamic performance of O‘ahu with increasing levels of distributed photovoltaic solar resources during contingency events, and assessments of grid strength and battery energy storage.
Small Scale Wind Turbine Analysis (2012-2017)
Deployed and monitored five small scale wind turbines at the Crissy Field Center to evaluate performance for distributed applications.
Municipal Building Energy Monitoring and Management (2015-2016)
Integrated energy data acquisition systems to identify energy retrofit opportunities and provide continuous monitoring and energy management capabilities.
Comfort Technologies for Naturally Ventilated Facilities (2013-2016)
Investigated technology applications to enhance comfort and displace traditional mechanical cooling in buildings.
Monitoring and Field Performance Validation (2013-2016)
Instrumented, monitored, and evaluated energy consumption profiles in housing units to determine performance of energy efficiency measures in a residential setting.
O‘ahu-Maui Grid Interconnection Study (2013-2014)
Examined the value of prospective interconnected operation between the O‘ahu and Maui County (Maui, Lana‘i, and Moloka‘i) power grids via submarine power cables, advanced control systems, and operational strategies.
Water, Energy, and Soil Sustainability (2011-2013) – Michael Cooney
Supported integrated effort of State government, industry, venture capital, legal/regulatory authorities, private sector, and UH to pursue collaborative projects striving for water, energy, and soil sustainability in Hawai‘i.
Evaluation of Commercial Li-Ion Cells Based on Composite Electrode for Plug-In Electric Vehicles (2008-2013) – Matthieu Dubarry
Degradation assessment of commercial blended Li-ion batteries for plug-in electric vehicle applications at different temperatures using non-invasive characterizations.
Geothermal Strategic Development Study (2012-2013)
Assessed state, industry, and utility interest in developing new geothermal energy resources and offered recommendations to prepare for potential development scenarios and suggested a roadmap for implementation in Hawai‘i.
O‘ahu Electric Vehicle Charging Study (2012-2013) – Kathy McKenzie
Quantified impacts of EVs in reducing curtailed wind and solar energy with controlled EV charging strategies under several future scenarios with high penetrations of wind and solar energy on O‘ahu’s electricity grid.
Hawai‘i Solar Integration Study (2010-2012)
Examined the operational impact of high penetrations of solar and wind energy on the O‘ahu and Maui bulk power systems.
Data Collection and Analysis to Support HCATT Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Demonstration Program (2000-2011) – Matthieu Dubarry
Developed a sophisticated database and graphical user interface (GUI) to allow data collection and fuzzy logic based analysis of a fleet of electric vehicles during operation.
O‘ahu Wind Integration Study (2009-2010)
Evaluated the technical feasibility and economic viability of operational strategies, improvements to existing infrastructure, and new technologies to enable the integration of 400 MW of wind and 100 MW solar PV on the O‘ahu system.
O‘ahu Grid Study: Validation of Grid Models (2009)
Developed and calibrated dynamic production cost models for the O‘ahu grid that can help identify technologies and strategies to enable the system to manage higher amounts of renewable energy and evaluate the impacts of different scenarios.
