Starting in January 2006 , the electric utility operating the wind farm , Hawaiian Electric Company ( HELCO ) , operated a demonstration model of a grid-stabilizing unit , known as an Electronic Shock Absorber ( ESA ) . This unit was designed to increase the stability of the island 's grid , which has a relatively high penetration of wind energy , which is subject to rapid fluctuations . However , the unit was damaged in an earthquake in October 2006
earthquake in October 2006
2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake
Lalamilo Wells