Wind farms, geo-thermal energy, wave-power, biomass crops and solar energy. With all of this energy potential, you’d think there would be no problem providing clean, green energy to the Hawaiian Islands. However at this point, the 50th State is dependent on imported oil for 77% of its electricity, with another 14 percent generated from coal.

Hawaii has the richest possibilities for renewable energy of any state in the nation, but up until now, the energy delivery in the Aloha State is anything but efficient, economical or environmentally sound. Each of the six main islands has its own independent electrical grid that is largely dependent on the use of fossil fuel.

Recognizing the expense – both financial and environmental – of continuing to be dependent on fuel imports, Linda Lingle, the state’s governor, has made a big commitment to turn this around. Says a project leader for the federal National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “The goals are very, very aggressive.”

First up on the state’s renewable energy agenda, connecting the six independent energy grids into one, efficient state-wide delivery system. This means laying an undersea network of cables that will link the main island of Oahu and the outer islands.

The biofuel phase of Hawaii’s energy evolution just received a boost of $48 million via a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This investment in the cultivation, harvesting and processing of biomass feed stocks is looked upon as a real boon to the islands’ economy and job market.

“Biofuel has the potential to reduce Hawaii’s reliance on imported oil, which pollutes our air and sends our money overseas with a renewable energy source which we can grow in the islands, creating jobs that cannot be exported,” remarked U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka when announcing the grant.

Hawaii is poised to become a testing ground for a whole menu of renewable energy sources and economists predict that the growth potential in the job market is solid. The demand for engineers and construction workers, especially those that are trained and certified in the design, construction and installation of energy efficient systems is expected to increase. Colleges and training institutes are preparing for increased enrollment.

The Hawaiian State Senate recently passed a bill that requires solar powered water heaters in all new construction as of January 1, 2010. With this kind of legislation, the 50th State is making sure that when it comes to renewable, clean, green energy, Hawaii will be #1.