Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
For Immediate Release: May 23, 2019

HONOLULU—The Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) announced today that its Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies (HCATT) program recently awarded an $8.3 million contract for first of a series of microgrids at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) in a multi-year project that will demonstrate the reliability and resiliency of renewable energy.

Hawaii-based engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting solutions firm, Burns & McDonnell, will design-build up to six renewable energy microgrids. The project will support an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) initiative using the Pacific Energy Assurance and Renewables Laboratory (PEARL) located at the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing.

Microgrids are resilient energy systems that can operate in tandem with, or independently of the main power grid. PEARL will demonstrate energy assurance on Air Force installations by creating an infrastructure that relies on localized generation, storage, and distribution of energy, which will allow officials to continue critical missions in the event of a power outage due to a natural or man-made disaster.

“Energy resiliency is critical to making sure our installations have access to the power they need for flight simulators, alert facilities, and other mission critical systems that sustain readiness,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, lead Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. “The Department of Defense’s investment in a microgrid testbed in Hawaii will pay dividends by proving that alternative energy and microgrid technologies can support the military’s broader energy security and resilience goals.”

“PEARL will be designed to utilize an array of renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaic, hydrogen, batteries, and wind to demonstrate the reliability, scalability and versatility of renewable energy” said DBEDT Director Mike McCartney. “We see this as a great opportunity for Hawaii and the Department of Defense to showcase the benefits of renewable energy assets and advanced technology applications with an established power grid.”

“An initial $1.5 million was awarded to develop PEARL’s design concept. Subsequent microgrids will build upon the first and will demonstrate the reliability and practicality of renewable energy.” said HCATT Director Stan Osserman. “We will continue to collaborate closely with AFRL, National Guard Bureau, Hawaii National Guard, Navy Facilities Command, Hawaiian Electric Company as well as many local companies to complete this and subsequent microgrids.”

According to Project Manager David Molinaro. PEARL will provide “mission assurance through energy assurance” by allowing 154th Wing leadership the ability to execute its critical missions regardless of larger utility grid status. It will also serve as a Department of Defense utility scale research and development platform and be an instrument in developing renewable energy technologies to meet Hawaii’s 2045 renewable energy mandate.

About HTDC (Hawaii Technology Development Corporation)
HTDC is a state agency, attached to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). HTDC’s mission is to facilitate the development and growth of Hawaii’s high technology industry by developing a flourishing technology industry that produces quality, high-paying jobs for Hawaii residents. HTDC is providing capital, building infrastructure and developing talent to foster innovation and diversify Hawaii’s economy. www.htdc.org

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Media Contacts:

Len Higashi
Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
(808) 539-3814
Website: www.htdc.org

Charlene Chan
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Phone: (808) 587-9006
Website: dbedt.hawaii.gov