Hawaiian Electric eyes Tesla batteries for Oahu power
HONOLULU — Hawaiian Electric Co. proposes using giant batteries manufactured by automaker Tesla Inc. to provide energy to Oahu’s power grid.
The proposal estimates costs of $200 million to $300 million and would accommodate more renewable energy production around the island.
Banks of liquid-cooled, lithium-ion batteries could become the first and biggest stand-alone, utility-scale energy battery system tied to the grid of Hawaii’s largest utility.
The plan involves placing Tesla batteries in 244 lockers, with each one extending 23 feet.
Hawaiian Electric proposed developing the project in 2021 on land next to its Kahe power plant in Nanakuli on Oahu, along with four smaller energy storage facilities on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island.
The five storage systems are subject to a competitive bidding program in which Hawaiian Electric is the initiator but also a competitor and initial decision maker.
The state Public Utilities Commission has independent observers and a technical adviser to oversee the process and proposals.
Hawaiian Electric solicited bids in August for renewable energy production and storage systems of about 900 megawatts on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island.
The initiative is expected to be the largest push for renewable energy in Hawaii so far. Hawaiian Electric plans to select the winning bids in May.
Man charged
in killings of his girlfriend and son
HONOLULU — A man accused of killing his girlfriend and their infant son had an initial hearing at the Honolulu Police Department headquarters.
Authorities charged 21-year-old Kendall Rashad Ramsey on Tuesday with first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of a 23-year-old woman and a 6-month-old boy.
Ramsey appeared before Judge William Domingo via video conferencing from the police department.
Initial appearances for felony cases are normally held at the Honolulu District Court, but are temporarily being conducted at the police station to comply with state and city measures meant to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office did not immediately announce causes of the deaths, but police said the woman died of at least one stab wound.
Ramsey also was charged with attempted second-degree murder in connection with a two-vehicle collision in which the driver of a second vehicle suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Ramsey’s bail was set at $2 million.
Police arrested Ramsey early Thursday in connection with the deaths in the Ewa Beach area. A witness told officers she found the woman and an infant dead inside an apartment.
