Innovation Amid Crisis
In the midst of the global financial downturn, NELHA demonstrated resilience and innovation. With only 16 staff—less than half of what it had in the mid-1990s—the organization supported 43 tenants while operating a seawater system twice as large as a decade earlier. Despite staffing challenges, including the loss of its fiscal clerk, NELHA kept vital systems running 24/7 to protect millions of dollars in tenant assets.
The year marked important progress in renewable energy and science. Act 157 allowed NELHA to generate and distribute renewable power, setting the stage for solar and OTEC projects. Cellana advanced algae biofuels, while Continental Airlines flew a commercial jet partly fueled by Cyanotech-grown algae. Researchers from Makai Ocean Engineering began groundbreaking OTEC heat exchanger studies, and an international team led by Old Dominion, Georgia Tech, and Woods Hole used NELHA’s pipelines to isolate dissolved organic matter, advancing global climate research.
Aquaculture and water bottling tenants continued to strengthen Hawai‘i’s economy and reputation, while CEROS funded nearly $10 million in defense-related projects. Even as some proposed ventures like NoriTech and BioEnergy Hawai‘i faced delays, 2009 underscored NELHA’s role as a hub for innovation and a critical engine for Hawai‘i’s renewable energy future.
Highlights:
- Supported 43 tenants with only 16 staff, maintaining 24/7 seawater reliability.
- Act 157 authorized NELHA to produce and distribute renewable energy onsite and to neighbors.
- Continental Airlines flew on biofuel partially derived from algae grown at Cyanotech.
- Cellana ramped up prototype commercial modules for algae biofuels.
- Makai Ocean Engineering launched OTEC heat exchanger research at the 40” and 55” pipelines.
- International research team isolated dissolved organic matter from NELHA waters, advancing climate studies.
- NoriTech gained approval to import nori after nearly two years of effort.
- BioEnergy Hawai‘i proposed $100–150M waste-to-energy and algae biofuel project, pending lease resolution.
- Completed earthquake repairs on 18” and 40” pipelines.
- CEROS distributed $9.89M for 18 contracts in ocean technology.