Aloha from Hawaii: Updating Postcards from the Future
ScottMadden, Inc., one of North America’s leading management consulting firms specializing in energy, recently released its latest edition of The ScottMadden Energy Industry Update (EIU). Themed “Take It to the Limit,” this EIU explores how everything in this industry will be “taken to the limit” and what we see as critical issues, made more so by the fluid world in which we are living today.
Hawaii has positioned itself as a trailblazer for the future through renewable energy resource development and implementation. In November 2019, utility executives from the continental United States traveled to Hawaii to gain a first-hand understanding of how the state remains at the forefront of the industry as it prepares to transition to higher-renewable penetrations. The group identified three key learnings for electric utilities operating on the mainland.
The first key lesson was to understand the path, not just the goal. This entails laying a strong foundation for the future with thoughtful planning and technology adoption. The second lesson was to drive stakeholder connections to solve tangible community problems, as utilities work to meet their renewable goals. The final lesson was that utilities must prepare to relearn how to operate the grid and renewable energy resources.
Even though Hawaii remains early in the transition process, it is clearly laying the groundwork for a long-term transition to a renewable energy future. “By offering new and innovative technologies and services, the electric utilities in Hawaii are transforming their role from a commodity supplier to a community-engaged service provider,” explains Paul Quinlan, clean tech manager at ScottMadden. “Throughout the transition, Hawaii will remain a postcard from the future and of interest to those seeking inspiration and innovation.”
For a closer look inside the fact-finding trip, you can read more in this Public Utilities Fortnightly article or access our latest EIU here.
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About ScottMadden’s Energy Practice
We know energy from the ground up. Since 1983, we have served as energy consultants for hundreds of utilities, large and small, including all of the top 20. We focus on Transmission & Distribution, the Grid Edge, Generation, Energy Markets, Rates & Regulation, Enterprise Sustainability, and Corporate Services. Our broad, deep utility expertise is not theoretical—it is experience based. We have helped our clients develop and implement strategies, improve critical operations, reorganize departments and entire companies, and implement myriad initiatives.