The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is starting construction on microgrids in O’ahu and Kaua’i, part of a plan to modernize infrastructure and advance the state’s clean energy and resilience goals.

The microgrids are expected to generate 2.2 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy daily. They will also have two 1-MW battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Hawaiian Blessing ceremonies were held in August, which show respect for the land, communities and people the infrastructure will serve.

The microgrids will use a combination of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, BESS and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The project’s integration of solar generation, battery storage and intelligent microgrid controls is designed to strengthen energy resilience at critical HDOT facilities, according to a September 30 Sustainability Partners press release.

Projects like this are a great source of work for electrical contractors, who are involved in nearly every aspect of installing the equipment for a microgrid.

“These projects represent another important step in strengthening the resiliency of Hawai’i’s infrastructure,” said Ed Sniffen, director of HDOT, in the press release. “These PV and battery storage systems provide critical energy security for our teams during severe weather and multi-day blackouts.” 

The project is being built with Sustainability Partners, a public benefit company that funds, deploys and cares for essential infrastructure based in Chandler, Ariz., and general contractor/construction manager Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Greeley, Colo. 

The O’ahu microgrid, which will serve HDOT Highways’ O’ahu District Main Office Facility, will be built with a 1-MW BESS and solar photovoltaic canopies that are expected to generate 1.5 MWh of renewable energy every day, according to the press release. The project will use Boston-based Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure microgrid technology, providing coordination of solar generation, battery storage, EV charging and interaction with the utility grid and optimization of energy generation, storage and use.

Sustainability Partners is working to enroll the site in Hawaiian Electric’s energy export program so that surplus power can be exported from the microgrid to the main grid. 

The Kaua’i microgrid, which will serve HDOT’s Kaua’i District Main Office Facility, will include a 1-MW BESS and solar PV canopies that are expected to generate 700 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable energy daily. This site will also utilize EcoStruxure microgrid technology for centralized visibility and intelligent control of distributed energy resources.

“Getting to construction on the O’ahu and Kaua’i microgrids represents years of planning, engineering and coordination with HDOT Highways, Hensel Phelps, our utility partners and many others,” said Arnold Albiar, managing partner of Hawaii at Sustainability Partners, in the press release. “These microgrids are about developing resilient and sustainable transportation systems, helping the State of Hawai’i move forward to a cleaner, low-carbon future.”