Hawaiʻi State Energy Office supports applications for Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project

Applications are now open for coastal, remote and island communities to join the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project as a 2026 cohort to seek solutions for reliable and resilient energy systems in Hawaiʻi and Pacific Island communities. The application deadline is Nov. 18, 2026.

ETIPP is a US Department of Energy technical assistance program that pairs coastal, remote and island communities with national laboratory researchers and regional partner organizations, including the Hawai‘i State Energy Office, to tackle local energy challenges through planning and deep-dive technical assistance projects.

Now soliciting applications for its sixth cohort, the program has supported more than 80 communities in eight regions across the United States and its territories with projects that include strategic energy planning, energy generation and storage assessments, weatherization, energy system optimization modeling and other in-depth energy analysis projects.

To date, HSEO has supported 12 projects in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Region through ETIPP’s first five cohorts and will continue working side-by-side with local governments, community-based organizations and other groups in evaluating energy solutions that match local resilience challenges, including those experienced because of recent storm conditions.

Projects supported to date:

    Cohort 1

• Hawaiian Electric: Examining the potential for microgrids across the island of O‘ahu.
• Kaua‘i County: Looking at where to place new EV chargers and how to modernize the transportation system.

    Cohort 2

• Guam Power Authority: Analyzing parts of Guam’s grid to understand how much solar can be added without costly upgrades.
• Hui O Hauʻula: Looking at different ways to power a resilience hub.
• University of Hawai‘i: Analyzing the potential of shallow geothermal to cool UH campuses.

Cohort 3

• Moloka‘i Clean Energy Hui/Sustainable Moloka‘i: Analyzing the potential of floating solar, pumped storage hydro and backup power for critical infrastructure.

Cohort 4

• LEI Foundation: Looking at backup power needs for eight sites across Wai‘anae moku.
• Kahikinui Homestead: Analyzing backup solar and battery needs for a resilience hub and community center on the Hawaiian homestead of Kahikinui.  

Cohort 5

• Agribusiness Development Corporation: Analyzing hydropower potential at Wahiawā Dam.
• Hui O Hau‘ula/Punalu‘u Community Association: Examining backup generation for multiple sites in addition to microgrid and virtual power plant potential.
• Department of Water Supply (DWS), Hawai‘i County: Helping to prioritize where to invest in resilience across DWS’s water system.
• American Samoa Department of Homeland Security: Analyzing backup power needs for telecommunication facilities across American Samoa

With HSEO’s support, ETIPP communities in Hawai‘i and the Pacific engage in strategic planning and deep-dive technical projects that target local affordability and energy resilience goals. Communities in Hawai‘i and the Pacific must meet with HSEO before applying, so please reach out to eric.n.sippert@hawaii.gov to learn more ahead of the Nov. 18 application deadline. More details are on the program website: https://bit.ly/ETIPPApp2026.