1997-Fun outtake with Jason Schwartz and then renewable energy program head HUGHUES OGIER from Maui Electric Co.
Summary & Transcript
Outdoor Maui environmental interview for conservation discussions.
[00:00 → 04:39]
Introduction and Context
The video opens with a casual, conversational tone involving multiple participants including Jason Schwartz, a representative from the Maui Arts and Music Association (also known as The Dream Makers Foundation), and a director from Maui Electric, identified as HUGHUES OGIER, the director of the Energy Services Division at Maui Electric.
- The setting includes an informal interaction acknowledging both the on-camera participants and the unseen audience (“those guys”).
- Jason humorously engages with the group, including singing references and light banter about multilingual skills and music.
- The main topic introduced is solar energy, specifically focusing on green pricing and renewable energy programs at Maui Electric.
- The discussion emphasizes common ground btween the public, advocates like Jason, and the utility company, with the goal of collaborating to reduce reliance on conventional power plants through aggressive solar implementation.
- Jason highlights the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process as a valuable framework that allowed him to witness the utility’s openness to renewable energy advocacy.
- The green pricing program at Maui Electric is described as a customer-driven initiative embedded into rates, encouraging consumers to take responsibility and action in adopting solar energy.
- Jason introduces HUGHUES OGIER, confirming his role and background, and setting the stage to discuss Maui Electric’s solar and water heating programs.
- [04:20 → 04:39]
- HUGHUES OGIER introduces the Residential Efficient Water Heating Program, which focuses on solar water heating and heat pumps.
- This program is described as aggressive and is a key part of Maui Electric’s renewable energy offerings.
- A brief history is mentioned, noting Hugues’s prior experience on Oahu and the continuity of his work in energy services, providing context to his expertise and leadership at Maui Electric.
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- Summary of Key Themes and Insights:
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| Topic | Details |
| Stakeholders | Jason Schwarz (solar advocate), HUGHUES OGIER (Maui Electric Energy Services Director), public |
| Main Objective | To promote renewable energy, especially solar, and reduce reliance on conventional power plants |
| Green Pricing Program | Embedded in utility rates; customer-driven; encourages solar adoption |
| Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) | Framework enabling dialogue and collaboration between utility and solar advocates |
| Residential Efficient Water Heating Program | Focuses on solar water heating and heat pumps; aggressive implementation by Maui Electric |
- Collaboration and Communication:
The conversation underscores the importance of open communication channels between utility companies and renewable energy advocates. Jason’s experience with the IRP process is a case example showing that utilities can be receptive to community and advocate input, fostering cooperation rather than opposition. - Customer Responsibility in Green Pricing:
Unlike some top-down programs, Maui Electric’s green pricing model emphasizes customer initiative. Customers who choose to participate effectively support renewable energy through their rate structure, which funds solar programs and initiatives. - Role of Solar Water Heating and Heat Pumps:
The Residential Efficient Water Heating Program is a practical application of renewable technology aimed at reducing energy consumption from traditional sources. This program represents Maui Electric’s commitment to implement energy-efficient solutions beyond just photovoltaic solar panels. - Leadership Background and Expertise:
HUGHUES OGIER’s trajectory and experience with energy programs on different Hawaiian islands highlight the transfer of knowledge and best practices within the state’s utility infrastructure. His role is pivotal in driving Maui Electric’s renewable energy agenda.
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- Timeline Table of Topics Covered
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| Timestamp | Topic Covered | Summary |
| 00:00 | Introduction and informal greetings | Explanation of participants, setting an informal tone |
| 01:00 | Light-hearted banter about singing and multilingual skills | Engaging with the audience, setting a relaxed atmosphere |
| 01:59 | Introduction of solar and green pricing topic | Introducing the main theme: solar energy and green pricing at Maui Electric |
| 02:31 | Discussion of IRP and collaboration between advocates and utility | Highlighting the value of communication and cooperation in renewable energy implementation |
| 03:43 | Jason introduces HUGHUES OGIER, director at Maui Electric | Establishing expertise and leadership |
| 04:20 | Presentation of Residential Efficient Water Heating Program | Overview of Maui Electric’s aggressive solar water heating and heat pump program |
Definitions and Concepts
| Term | Definition |
| Green Pricing | A utility rate structure that allows customers to support and pay for renewable energy programs |
| Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) | A strategic plan used by utilities to forecast demand and plan energy resources, including renewables |
| Solar Water Heating | A renewable technology that uses solar energy to heat water, reducing electricity or fossil fuel use |
| Heat Pumps | Energy-efficient devices that transfer heat from one place to another, often used for water heating |
Key Insights
- Mutual Understanding: The video highlights the importance of mutual respect and understanding between utility companies and community advocates to effectively promote renewable energy.
- Customer Empowerment: Maui Electric’s green pricing model places significant responsibility on customers to engage with and support renewable initiatives.
- Program Aggressiveness: Maui Electric is actively pursuing aggressive programs not only for solar PV but also for solar water heating and heat pump technology, demonstrating a multi-faceted approach to sustainability.
- Leadership and Experience Matter: The personal background of utility management (e.g., HUGHUES OGIER) plays a critical role in shaping and advancing renewable energy programs on the island.
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- Not Specified/Uncertain Information
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- Specific quantitative data about solar capacity, customer participation rates, or energy savings from the Residential Efficient Water Heating Program are not specified in the transcript.
- Details about the exact structure or pricing of the green pricing program beyond general customer responsibility are not specified.
- No direct statements about future projections, timelines for expansion, or regulatory frameworks are provided.
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The video presents a candid discussion between a solar advocate and a utility director, focusing on the collaborative efforts to promote renewable energy in Maui. It emphasizes the importance of communication, customer-driven green pricing, and the aggressive implementation of solar water heating and heat pump programs by Maui Electric. The tone balances technical insight with approachable dialogue, illustrating how utilities and the public can work together toward a sustainable energy future.
Transcript
00:00
when we’re talking there’s you and me and Camera those guys those guys so you those guys well I want I want you to know that this is for all of us we’re really in a room or a place with a with three people or all those people out there after a while I get to know that they’re there so I always look at them you ever notice that hi guys that’s right this is you you’ll see him in a minute he’s actually the star of the Maui Electric show it is a show well he’s it’s hard to
00:30
be the star next to you Jason oh for sure I want to see how are you singing to me you should sing to the people of Maui people I got sunshine on a cloudy day you outside you obviously rehearsed I did that oh me and Smokey okay Jasonhat’s up ready okay um one more thing I’m going to get a prop holy mecro you Jee while Jason is getting ready I will indeed sing for the people of Mai sh and that’s not a French song by the way not a French song what is that that’s a Japanese song my friend I was
01:27
going to say those didn’t sound like French words no uh where did you learn all these multilingual things you’ll see I’ll talk to you another time about that another show okay are you comfortable I am indeed comfortable how about you I’m comfortable okay all right are you ready to rock and roll I always ready to rock and roll okay let’s uh just start off by a gentle greeting and we’ll begin and talk comfortably and casually what I’d like to uh talk about is solar okay green
01:59
pricing okay in general and just that good feeling like we’d like to get a communication between the public and Maui Electric and me that there’s common ground that we all have the same thing in mind to to really be valuable by helping each other you know you know my thing about slow the growth of uh of conventional power plants correct through implementation of a aggressive solar program which is the same thing we put together okay I mean that’s why the IRP thing was so valuable to me okay I got to see the whole
02:31
process and the electric company knows I can be a solar Advocate and not be a jerk and I know that the utility company can actually listen and they’re receptive that’s good to hear and will work I know they will work with me and others to get Renewable Energy Technologies in the mix as soon as we can find a way to do it and so that this cooperation is valuable the green pricing and letting people understand that what we’re doing through the solar program is green we we’re doing the green pricing
03:03
thing without having to to call it that we put it into the rates to create a program to give people back to do solar that’s green pricing and in fact it’s it’s the kind of green pricing that bears the responsibility on the customer to take action you know anyway three three two one aloha this is Jason Schwartz of the Maui Arts and Music Association also known as The Dream Makers Foundation also known as also known as a lot of stuff but doesn’t matter I’ve heard a lot of things said I have the great
03:43
pleasure today I am sitting in front of the utility company I guess headquarters which is expanding expanding expanding with the director do we call you the director well you can’t call me he’s the director if you want the director this is Mr Hugues OGIER is the director offices the Energy Services Division here at Mau electric ma electric has an aggressive solar water heating and heat pump program and what’s the official name of the program well the official name uh jsn is the residential efficient water
04:20
heating program okay indeed and this was a program that I had the Good Fortune to be around uh sharing when use was um I guess he just started here at Mar electric you were at Hawaiian Electric before actually no I was on oahu but not with hawaiian electric but indeed you we first met when I si
