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, 2013
16 great solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.
| Nov 27, 2013
LEED for Healthcare offers new paths to green
LEED for Healthcare debuted in spring 2011, and certifications are now beginning to roll in. They include the new Puyallup (Wash.) Medical Center and the W.H. and Elaine McCarty South Tower at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas in Austin.
| Nov 27, 2013
University reconstruction projects: The 5 keys to success
This AIA CES Discovery course discusses the environmental, economic, and market pressures affecting facility planning for universities and colleges, and outlines current approaches to renovations for critical academic spaces.
| Nov 19, 2013
Top 10 green building products for 2014
Assa Abloy's power-over-ethernet access-control locks and Schüco's retrofit façade system are among the products to make BuildingGreen Inc.'s annual Top-10 Green Building Products list.
| Nov 15, 2013
Greenbuild 2013 Report - BD+C Exclusive
The BD+C editorial team brings you this special report on the latest green building trends across nine key market sectors.
| Nov 14, 2013
How increased domestic energy production affects the nation [Infographic]
In light of America's new energy resources and an increased emphasis on energy efficiency, Skanska examined the trends in U.S. energy production and consumption, as well as the benefits we may incur from increased domestic energy production.
| Nov 14, 2013
Behind the build: BD+C's 'Pedia-Pod' modular pediatric patient unit at Greenbuild 2013 [slideshow]
Next week at Greenbuild, BD+C will unveil its demonstration pediatric patient unit, called Pedia-Pod. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the construction of this unique modular structure.
| Nov 13, 2013
Installed capacity of geothermal heat pumps to grow by 150% by 2020, says study
The worldwide installed capacity of GHP systems will reach 127.4 gigawatts-thermal over the next seven years, growth of nearly 150%, according to a recent report from Navigant Research.
| Nov 8, 2013
Can Big Data help building owners slash op-ex budgets?
Real estate services giant Jones Lang LaSalle set out to answer these questions when it partnered with Pacific Controls to develop IntelliCommand, a 24/7 real-time remote monitoring and control service for its commercial real estate owner clients.
| Nov 8, 2013
Net-zero bellwether demonstrates extreme green, multifamily style
The 10-unit zHome in Issaquah Highlands, Wash., is the nation’s first net-zero multifamily project, as certified this year by the International Living Future Institute.
