Hawaiʻi Gas seeks additional RNG, hydrogen supplies

Hawaiʻi Gas, the state’s only regulated gas utility, said April 10 it had issued a request for proposals to purchase renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable hydrogen to support its shift away from fossil fuel.

The utility is seeking proposals from local and national suppliers for up to 65,000 therms of RNG or up to 2,300 kg/day of renewable hydrogen. If filled completely, the request represents replacing nearly all of the utility’s existing synthetic natural gas.

“Increasing our use of RNG and renewable hydrogen has been part of our strategic plan for a number of years,” Hawaiʻi Gas CEO Alicia Moy said. “We already have a 50-year head start on mainland gas companies in our use of hydrogen in utility gas distribution.”

The utility has been using RNG produced by the city and county of Honolulu at the Honouliuli wastewater RNG facility since 2018 and has been blending 15% hydrogen into its gas mix since 1974.

“We know that developing a robust RNG and hydrogen infrastructure in Hawaiʻi has the potential to create more local jobs in clean energy, engineering, agriculture and other industries,” Moy said. “It also allows Hawaiʻi Gas to continue providing customers with safe, secure, reliable and affordable energy.”

Proposals are due September 30, 2023.