Hawaiian Electric Co. has expanded the duties of Executive Vice President Robbie Alm as part of a reorganization aimed at sharpening the company's focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

In addition to public affairs, which Alm currently oversees, he will head up planning for the company's "smart grid" initiatives, implementation of demand response and other customer energy-efficiency programs, and planning for the integration of major increments of intermittent energy from proposed wind farms in Maui County, as well as other renewable energy sources.

"We have a responsibility to help shape a clean energy future for the communities we serve," said Dick Rosenblum, Hawaiian Electric president & CEO. "It's important that we have the right organization to help us execute and deliver on our commitments under the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative.  Robbie has been at the forefront of these efforts for our company and provides the natural leadership for this critical area of strategic focus."