**Spotting Insights Crucial to Hawaiian Electric’s Operations and Strategy**

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Hawaiian Electric’s ‘spotters‘ on High Alert as Wildfire Season Intensifies

Honolulu, HI – As the threat of wildfires looms large across the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaiian Electric is relying on a dedicated team of field observers, known as “spotters,” to proactively identify and address potential hazards. These individuals play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and infrastructure during periods of heightened risk, notably when a Red Flag Warning is in effect.

The Critical Role of Wildfire Spotters

The spotter program is central to Hawaiian Electric’s wildfire mitigation strategy. John DiGiovanni, a Senior Business Consultant in energy delivery, explained that these teams focus intently on monitoring areas particularly susceptible to fire. Even with advanced technology like AI-powered cameras and meteorological stations, on-site observations remain indispensable, especially regarding Public Safety Power Shutoffs.

Spotters are tasked with meticulously documenting any safety or operational concerns and reporting them immediatly. During a standard 12-hour shift, hourly reports are required to maintain constant vigilance. The team members work in pairs as a commitment to safety.

Equipped for the field

Each spotter is equipped with essential tools, including an anemometer to measure wind speeds, flashlights, high-visibility vests, maps, and detailed instructional materials. Keith Rivera, a Maui County substation and meter operations administrator, highlighted the critical observations spotters make: smoke detection, wind speed assessment, identification of downed power lines, spark detection, and monitoring electrical line movement. These individuals must be proficient in using binoculars, cell phones, two-way radios, and reporting applications.

Experience and Expertise on the Front Lines

The spotter teams comprise employees from various Hawaiian Electric departments, bringing a diverse skill set to the field. Dina Demichelis, a Supervisor in T&D Engineering, emphasized the importance of understanding infrastructure design, stating, “While we’ve all had to learn how to use the anemometer, we are also looking for failure of our equipment. That takes a person who has been trained to identify those anomalies.”

David Medeiros, a Maui County customer field representative, utilizes his situational awareness skills honed through daily work duties. Joseph Corcino, a Senior Electrical Mechanic, leverages knowledge of substation locations and transmission lines, having participated in approximately nine deployments.

Spotter Role	Key Skills/Knowledge
Engineering Supervisor	Infrastructure design, equipment failure identification
Customer Field Representative	Situational awareness, environmental observation
Electrical Mechanic	substation knowledge, transmission line identification

Challenges and Considerations in the Field

Spotters face unique challenges, from locating restroom facilities during extended shifts to combating boredom during periods of low activity. According to Demichelis, locations like Waikii near Kamuela present logistical difficulties due to the lack of amenities. Wind poses a constant hazard, potentially obscuring vision with dust or creating unexpected obstacles. Coordinators face the challenge of managing spotter availability across different islands and adapting to rapidly changing weather conditions.

“We don’t know until nearly the end of the day if the next day’s weather will change, how widespread it will be across the state, or if it will only affect parts of certain islands,” stated John.

wildfire prevention: A Growing Concern

Wildfire risk is escalating globally due to climate change and increasing vegetation dryness. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the number of acres burned annually in the United States has increased significantly in recent decades. Proactive measures, such as Hawaiian Electric’s spotter program and public awareness campaigns, are essential to mitigating these risks and protecting communities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hawaiian Electric’s Spotter Program

• What is a ‘red flag warning’ and why is it important? A Red Flag Warning indicates conditions favorable for rapid wildfire development, requiring heightened awareness and preparedness.
• What equipment do Hawaiian Electric spotters carry? Spotters are equipped with anemometers, flashlights, high-visibility vests, maps, and dialog devices.
• How does Hawaiian Electric utilize technology in its wildfire prevention efforts? The company employs AI-assisted cameras and weather stations, complementing the on-the-ground observations made by spotters.
• What types of issues do spotters report? Spotters report smoke,wind speeds,downed power lines,sparks,and any unusual activity related to the electrical grid.
• What challenges do Hawaiian Electric spotters face in the field? Challenges include logistical difficulties, boredom, and exposure to hazardous weather conditions.

As conditions continue to dry up, the dedication of Hawaiian Electric’s spotters is a critical component in protecting Hawaii’s communities from the devastating effects of wildfires.

What are your thoughts on the role of technology versus human observation in disaster preparedness? Have you taken steps to prepare your home and family for wildfire season?

How are fuel price fluctuations impacting Hawaiian Electric’s long-term energy procurement strategies?

The Evolving Energy Landscape in Hawaii

Hawaiian Electric (HECO), serving 95% of Hawaii’s population, operates within a uniquely challenging energy environment. Understanding the key insights driving it’s operations and strategic decisions requires acknowledging the state’s geographical isolation, reliance on imported fossil fuels, enterprising renewable energy goals, and increasing vulnerability to climate change.this article dissects those crucial insights,focusing on areas impacting grid modernization,renewable integration,and customer engagement.

Key Operational Insights for Hawaiian Electric

Several core operational factors demand constant monitoring and analysis by HECO. these aren’t simply data points; they’re indicators of systemic strengths and weaknesses.

Fuel Price Volatility: Hawaii’s dependence on imported oil makes it acutely susceptible to global fuel price fluctuations. HECO must meticulously track these shifts to optimize power generation costs and inform long-term energy procurement strategies. This includes diversifying fuel sources where possible,even if temporary,and accelerating the transition to renewables.

Grid Stability with High Renewable Penetration: Integrating increasing amounts of intermittent renewable energy sources – solar and wind primarily – presents critically important grid stability challenges. HECO needs real-time data on renewable generation output, load balancing, and frequency regulation to prevent outages. Advanced grid management systems and energy storage solutions are vital.

Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Growth: The proliferation of rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles (EVs) is transforming Hawaii’s grid into a more decentralized system. HECO must accurately forecast DER adoption rates, manage bidirectional power flow, and ensure grid safety and reliability.

Wildfire risk Management: The devastating wildfires on Maui in August 2023 highlighted the critical need for proactive wildfire risk mitigation. This includes enhanced vegetation management around power lines, improved grid monitoring for faults, and public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) during high-risk conditions. The investigation into the Maui fires is a pivotal moment for HECO and the entire industry.

aging Infrastructure: much of HECO’s infrastructure is aging and requires modernization. Identifying critical infrastructure components nearing end-of-life and prioritizing upgrades is essential for maintaining service reliability and preventing costly failures.

Strategic Insights Shaping Hawaiian Electric’s Future

Beyond day-to-day operations, several strategic insights are guiding HECO’s long-term direction.

1. The 100% Renewable Energy Target

Hawaii’s commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2045 is the cornerstone of HECO’s strategy. This necessitates:

Large-scale Renewable Energy Procurement: Securing long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with renewable energy developers for wind, solar, geothermal, and possibly wave energy projects.

Energy Storage Deployment: Investing heavily in battery storage systems to smooth out the intermittency of renewable sources and provide grid stability services. Pumped hydro storage is also being explored.

Transmission and Distribution Upgrades: Modernizing the grid to accommodate the influx of renewable energy and ensure reliable delivery to customers.

2. Demand Response and Customer Engagement

Actively engaging customers in demand response programs is crucial for managing peak demand and reducing reliance on fossil fuel generation.

Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates: Encouraging customers to shift their energy consumption to off-peak hours through TOU pricing.

Demand Response Programs: Offering incentives for customers to reduce their energy usage during peak demand events.

Virtual Power plants (VPPs): Aggregating DERs – rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs – into virtual power plants to provide grid services.

3. Microgrid Advancement and Resilience

Developing microgrids – localized energy grids that can operate independently from the main grid – enhances resilience and provides backup power during outages.

Community Microgrids: Focusing on establishing microgrids in critical facilities like hospitals, emergency shelters, and military bases.

Island-Specific Microgrids: Exploring the feasibility of microgrids on smaller islands within Hawaii.

Integration with DERs: Leveraging DERs within microgrids to maximize self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on centralized generation.

4. Transportation Electrification

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) presents both challenges and opportunities for HECO.

Charging Infrastructure Development: Investing in a robust network of public EV charging stations.

Managed Charging Programs: Encouraging EV owners to charge their vehicles during off-peak hours to minimize grid impact.

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology: Exploring the potential of using EVs as distributed energy storage resources.

The Impact of the Maui wildfires: A Turning Point

The August 2023 wildfires on Maui represent a watershed moment for Hawaiian Electric. The scrutiny surrounding the company’s role in the disaster – specifically, allegations of failing to de-energize power lines despite high wind warnings – has triggered investigations and legal challenges. Key insights emerging from this tragedy include:

Enhanced wildfire mitigation Protocols: A basic reassessment of wildfire risk management practices, including more aggressive vegetation management, improved grid monitoring, and proactive PSPS implementation.

* Increased Openness and Communication: Greater