In 2015, the University of Hawaii (UH) and the Hawaii Legislature established a goal for the UH university system to be net-zero by Jan. 1, 2035. Of all the campuses in the UH system, the University of Hawaii Maui College is on target to be the first to supply 100% of its energy needs through on-site photovoltaic systems coupled with battery storage, and it will do so 16 years ahead of schedule.
When it becomes operational in 2019, the UH Maui College PV plus storage system will be able to eliminate the campus’s fossil fuel-based energy use. The project is part of a partnership with Johnson Controls and Pacific Current and is currently in its second phase. Phase one saw the implementation of energy efficiency measures at UH Maui College and across all of the UH campuses. Phase two includes additional energy efficiency upgrades and the installation of the on-site solar PV coupled with battery storage.
UH Maui College Physical Plant Manager Robert Burton looks at battery array. Photo courtesy University of Hawaii.
Phase two will bring the total on-site capacity to 2.8 MW of solar PV and 13.2 MWh of battery distributed energy storage at UH Maui College. Phase two will reduce the fossil fuel energy consumption across all of the five UH campuses by ~14 GWh annually (45%) and add ~13 GWh renewable energy generation.
By the end of phase two, the UH Oahu campuses will reduce their use of fossil fuel for energy by 98% (Leeward Community College), 97% (Honolulu Community College), 74% (Kapi’olani Community College), and 70% (Windward Community College).
Photo courtesy University of Hawaii.
Related Stories
| Dec 10, 2011
10 Great Solutions
The editors of Building Design+Construction present 10 “Great Solutions” that highlight innovative technology and products that can be used to address some of the many problems Building Teams face in their day-to-day work. Readers are encouraged to submit entries for Great Solutions; if we use yours, you’ll receive a $25 gift certificate. Look for more Great Solutions in 2012 at: www.bdcnetwork.com/greatsolutions/2012.
| Dec 10, 2011
BIM tools to make your project easier to manage
Two innovations—program manager Gafcon’s SharePoint360 project management platform and a new BIM “wall creator” add-on developed by ClarkDietrich Building Systems for use with the Revit BIM platform and construction consultant—show how fabricators and owner’s reps are stepping in to fill the gaps between construction and design that can typically be exposed by working with a 3D model.
| Dec 9, 2011
BEST AEC FIRMS 2011: EYP Architecture & Engineering
Expertise-Driven Design: At EYP Architecture & Engineering, growing the business goes hand in hand with growing the firm’s people.
| Dec 8, 2011
Keast & Hood Co. part of Statue of Liberty renovation team
Keast & Hood Co., is the structural engineer-of-record for the year-long $27.25 million renovation of the Statue of Liberty.
| Dec 8, 2011
HOK elevates the green office standard
Firm achieves LEED Platinum certification in New York office that overlooks Bryant Park.
| Dec 7, 2011
NSF International qualifies first wallcoverings distributor to the New American National Standard for Sustainable Wallcoverings
TRI-KES demonstrates leadership in environmental stewardship as the first distributor to earn qualification.
| Dec 7, 2011
ICS Builders and BKSK Architects complete St. Hilda’s House in Manhattan
The facility's design highlights the inherent link between environmental consciousness and religious reverence.
| Dec 6, 2011
Mortenson Construction completes Elk Wind Project in Iowa
By the end of 2011, Mortenson will have built 17 wind projects in the state generating a total of 1894 megawatts of renewable power.
| Dec 6, 2011
?ThyssenKrupp acquires Sterling Elevators Services
The acquisition of Sterling Elevator Services Corporation is the third acquisition completed by ThyssenKrupp Elevator AG in the last three months in North America.
| Dec 6, 2011
New office building features largest solar panel system in New Orleans
Woodward Design+Build celebrates grand opening of new green headquarters in Central City.