Darren T. Kimura

Briefing legislators of the High Technology Development Corporation and the Manoa Innovation Center

On July 14, 2011 we signed an MOU with MAI Development Co. Ltd., of Thailand to supply 360 megawatts of electricity produced from solar energy to the PEA for an estimated value of over $500 Million USD.

“Sopogy’s proven solar technology and thermal energy storage system will help Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam achieve clean energy goals,” said Phatthanasret Chayutthanabun, President of M.A.I. Development.  “In addition, Sopogy’s localized approach will create needed jobs.  We appreciate being Sopogy’s exclusive partners in these markets.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with MAI Development,” said Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy. “MAI’s commitment to solar thermal energy, strong track record in Thailand, and excellent governmental relations within Southeast Asia make the company an ideal partner for Sopogy.”

I saw this T-shirt and had to get it.

The Kimura is a submission hold commonly seen in mixed martial arts fights. This submission effects mainly the shoulder joint, but also to a lesser extent the elbow joint. When applied, this joint lock hyperrotates the shoulder causing intense pain and the tap out.

Hawaii: The State of Clean Energy

A preview of the six-show series on Hawai’i's energy state–past, present, and future. See what’s happening now to advance clean energy. Learn about the challenges and opportunities and what we all can do to make Hawai’i a clean energy state. Featuring Governor Neil Abercrombie, Robbie Alm, Executive Vice President Hawaiian Electric, Darren T. Kimura, President/CEO of Sopogy, Mililani Trask, Community Advocate, Col Robert Rice, Commander Marine Corp. Base Hawaii.

Hawaii: The State of Clean Energy (Trailer) from College of Social Sciences on Vimeo.

Watch leaders of the Hawaii energy community speak about the state of clean energy in Hawaii

Darren Kimura, the president and CEO of Sopogy, Solar Power Technology, was keynote speaker at Hogan Entrepreneurs 10th Induction

http://sites.chaminade.edu/news/2011/05/02/hogan-entrepreneurs-celebrates-10th-induction/

Photo courtesy of Diep Vuong

Photo courtesy of Diep Vuong

Makiki Town Hall meeting – 5-7 pm at St. Clement’s Church Parish Hall, 1515 Wilder Ave. Click here for a Google Map.

Other scheduled guests include Representative Denny Coffman (Chair of the House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee) Governor Neil Abercrombie, and Darren T. Kimura (CEO of Sopogy).

At 4:30 pm, before the Town Hall Meeting, you are invited to visit the Makiki evening Farmers’ Market that takes place every Thursday, 4:30-7:30 pm, on the grounds of St. Clement’s Church. Pick up a dinner plate or a light snack, and join us in the Parish Hall with our special guests.

Join Representative Della Au Belatti, PUC Chairperson Hermina Morita, Acting Chairperson of House Energy & Environment Committee Denny Coffman, Governor Abercrombie and myself at the Makiki Town Hall on 4/14 between 5-7PM

Renewable energy expert from Hawaii Darren T. Kimura is featured on CNBC

Darren T. Kimura, CEO of Sopogy who’s company is based in Hawaii has developed a technology for concentrated solar power plants around the world, including one on the Big Island.

“The islands are separated, so every single island has its own grid,” he says, explaining the challenge of integrating renewable energy, with its intermittent nature, such as clouds over the sun. “Our technology incorporates storage, where we are able to basically buffer the effects of clouds.” Kimura says that with concentrated solar, a plant can store power to be used after the sun sets, “way up to maybe even midnight.”

He says solar power companies haven’t experienced the same pushback from locals that the wind energy industry has seen. Still, he’s heard complaints, like feedback on Sopogy’s solar collector called the SopoNova . “We heard from the locals here, ‘Wow, SopoNova’s really ugly’—and it did look ugly. We redesigned it, we designed the aesthetics of it to match the ground color for example, and we made it blend in with local topology.”

This letter dated November 25, 1977 is the preface to a study called “Comprehensive Energy Program for Hawaii” commissioned by the Senate Energy/Natural Resources Committees.  In it, Senator Yim writes about how Hawaii, in 1977, was 96% dependent on oil.  He discusses how Hawaii has many local resources and the State should achieve a secure energy supply thereby creating new jobs and boosting our economy.  He cites how the state purchases $500 million in oil each year and mentions that we have “sufficient lead time to develop these resources.”

Fast forward to 2010.  According to the Department of Energy, the state is still 90% dependent on imported oil and according to the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, the cost for that oil is estimated at $6 billion per year.

This figure below is from the report and cites how the Big Island could achieve energy self-sufficiency by 1990 and the State of Hawaii could achieve self sufficiency by 2010.  At that time Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion and Geothermal power were significant contributors to the clean energy scenario, molasses based ethanol would contribute to transportation fuel and Hawaii’s load was estimated at 3,000MW (we are at 2010 2,437MW according to 2008 EIA report).

In the time shortly after 1977 history shows us oil price easing, a shift in political focus and high technology cost, all valid excuses why the goals from the plan weren’t achieved. 

But in 2010, with the ambitious 70% clean energy in Hawaii by 2030, how do we now get on the path and reach these goals? How do we stay on path?